I am looking for teaching positions in the target areas that Husband and I wish to relocate. But as many of you know, many colleges and universities are imposing hiring freezes because of the troubled economy.
I have submitted applications and CVs for jobs. Got some rejections. One letter said that I was one of 80 candidates for one assistant professor of legal studies position. I have also received the hiring freeze letters too. That is better than a rejection.
I saw an Assistant General Counsel position at a university in one of our target areas. I have all the qualifications for the position, except for admission to that state's Bar, which I can petition for since I meet the reciprocity qualifications for that state. The responsibilities are not too taxing. The salary is great. And the hours are good. I could so do this job.
The question is...do I want to go back to law practice?
I left the legal profession because of the stress of private practice. I did not give up my license because I worked REALLY hard to get it and if something should ever happen to Husband, I have something to fall back on. But, I was pretty sure I was done with legal practice...until now.
I suppose I could just apply and see what happens. Nothing wrong with that...right? I mean, worse case is that I get an interview...
Why do I stress myself out over such things????
About Me
- Seeking Solace
- I am a college professor who is fumbling through the chaos of academia, rheumatoid arthritis, working on my PhD and just being a 40 something woman. I used to be a lawyer, which made me a snarky little person. I have a wonderful Husband and a German Shepherd named Junior. They help keep me sane.
Paws to Consider
My Sister's Keeper
8 comments:
Isn't it part of the search process to get a little too invested/excited/stressed over each possibility, to see if we really want it?
Apply -- it sounds less stressful than private practice.
It doesn't quite sound like private practice. Perhaps you should speak to someone in the Counsel Office at your current institution to see what it is like. That may provide some insight into what is like, and if it is something that really appeals to you.
Thanks everyone.
Ragey: That is a great idea!
I don't see that it would hurt to apply given that it doesn't sound too terribly stressful. Plus, I had also heard about the hiring freezes (many of my classmates are considering not graduating to wait it out) and it might not be bad to expand your horizon of things you're willing to do for a living. I know that the position I took is less than ideal for me in the grand scheme of what I enjoy doing, but it pays the bills and broadens my experience. If nothing else, it will add to/freshen up your list of stories to tell when you go back into teaching.
FWIW - and you probably know this stuff already, but just in case not! - I met with the university counsel at my law school U and it sounded like a really interesting job. Much more like being in-house than being in private practice; no need to bring in clients! (you might like this; it's not something I think I'd be good at.) Hours are reasonable, not BigLaw hours. And what was really appealing to me was the wide range of work - constitutional issues (especially at a state school), employment issues, probably some criminal stuff ;-) - dealing with student, faculty, and administrative concerns. She said she got really bored in other jobs doing the same old same old, and that didn't happen as a U counsel. The other thing that was intriguing was that this woman said quite a few people would move from that office to other administrative roles within the university.
(Of course, if you're this woman, you then get appointed to the federal bench! But she was at the top of the office and came into the counsel job from outside, with lots of big law and law teaching experience.)
Anyway, I'll be curious to hear what you decide!
New Kid: That's what I was hoping it would be like! Best of luck on your first law school exams!!
Apply, Apply, Apply! Sounds like a great opportunity.
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