It’s here! After months of hard work and many revisions, I’m excited to officially launch my workbook: Do You Want to Be a Lawyer? The Must-Have Workbook for Anyone Considering A Career in Law!
If you’ve been following along, you might recall when I first shared my vision for this project. I wanted to create a resource that I wish I’d had during my own journey to law school. As a first-generation college graduate and the first in my family to pursue a legal career, I navigated the decision to attend law school without many of the tools or insights that could’ve made it clearer and more aligned with my values.
I was 12 or 13 years old when I first knew I wanted to become a lawyer. My family needed legal help, and I went through the Yellow Pages (the pre-Google days!) calling lawyer after lawyer. Each one quoted at least $5,000 for a case we couldn’t afford. In the midst of this frustration, one compassionate lawyer gave me tips on how to help my family—guidance that, even though I was just a kid, felt like a glimmer of hope. This experience ignited a deep anger in me as I realized how inaccessible justice could be, especially for those who didn’t come from wealth or connections. I decided then that I was going to become a lawyer. But little did I know, my path to law school wouldn’t be a straightforward one.
I didn’t start as a pre-law student in college. Instead, I followed my heart and began organizing in my community. It wasn’t until later, when a mentor encouraged me to apply for the UCLA Law Fellows Program, that I truly considered pursuing law school. It wasn’t until then that I started to fully connect my passions for social justice with the possibility of a legal career.
Looking back, I often wish I’d had a workbook or journal to guide me through my reflections as I made such an important decision. That’s why I created this workbook—to help you ask yourself the right questions, reflect on your values, and carefully decide if a legal career truly aligns with the life you want to build. It’s the tool I wish I’d had all those years ago.
What’s Inside the Workbook?
The workbook is divided into exercises that will help you reflect deeply on your motivations, interests, and long-term goals. It’s designed for anyone considering a legal career, whether you’re still in college or a recent graduate. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find:
- Self-Assessment & Goal Setting: Reflect on your values, your passions, and whether law aligns with the life you want to build. This section guides you through questions like: What excites you about a legal career? What are your long-term goals, and how does a legal career fit into them?
- Exploring Legal Careers: There are countless paths in law. This section helps you explore legal roles that might be right for you, from litigation to policy to nonprofit work. I break down different legal career paths and what they entail, so you can match potential paths with your values and interests.
- Vision Exercise: Future You: Visualizing your future is a powerful tool to help you set goals and manifest your dreams. This exercise helps you create a vivid picture of where you want to be in 5 or 10 years and whether law school is part of that picture.
- Networking & Building Connections: This workbook isn’t just about personal reflection—it’s also practical. You’ll get tools for building a strong network, whether that’s with professors, peers, or lawyers, to support you in your journey. I include email templates and strategies for connecting with professionals in fields that interest you.
By the end of the workbook, you’ll have clarity on whether law school is the right path for you. Even if you decide that law isn’t the fit you thought it might be, that’s okay too! This workbook is designed to help you make the most informed decision possible about your future.
Why Did I Create This Workbook?
Creating this workbook stems from my own journey—a journey that was filled with uncertainty, mistakes, and big learning moments. I wanted to help people avoid the uncertainty that comes with major decisions like this one. So many students, especially first-generation college students, lack guidance when considering law school. You may be passionate about social justice but don’t know how to align that with a fulfilling and balanced career. You may not be sure how to reconcile your desire for a rewarding career with the financial, personal, and emotional aspects of being a lawyer.
In addition to my personal experience, I’ve spent years mentoring students—helping them navigate law school applications, internships, and their careers. Through that work, I’ve seen how powerful self-reflection and goal-setting can be in shaping not just your career, but your life as well. And that’s what this workbook is all about: helping you make the decision that aligns with both your personal values and career goals.
What’s Next?
I’m so proud to launch this workbook into the world and to offer it to those who are ready to explore law as a career in a thoughtful and reflective way. If you’re ready to dive in, you can purchase of your copy of Do You Want To Be A Lawyer? The Must-Have Workbook for Anyone Considering A Career in Law today!
Visit my Shop at https://brightnewbeginnings.blog/shop/ to start your journey. It’s a tool that will guide you to reflect on your goals, explore legal paths that align with your values, and make informed decisions about your future.
I look forward to hearing how this workbook impacts you, and I can’t wait to continue supporting you on your journey, whether you decide that law school is right for you or not.
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