There is a lot to say. A few weeks ago I sent a memo to the shareholders asking if I could work a reduced schedule. I didn’t hear anything about my request until last Friday.

But before I get to that, let me tell you where it all went south. Early last week, my supervising shareholder yelled at me, like a child throwing a temper tantrum. The specifics of why are unimportant, needless to say it was unprofessional, unnecessary, and humiliating. It was the last straw. I went home that night and told my husband that I would begin looking for a new job immediately, and I did.

Now, I have done a lot of soul searching lately, and it has led me to the conclusion that life in a law firm is not for me. I am not sure I want to continue practicing law at all, but if I do it has got to be on my own terms.

So, I am diligently looking for new employment. And I am not restricting myself to attorney positions. Actually, I am seriously considering taking a sabbatical from law and doing a little teaching.

A long time ago, when I dreamed of working for the love of it instead of the money, I wanted to be a college English professor. What could be better, I thought, than spending my life surrounded by books and poems that I love, and getting my kicks from correcting students’ grammar. But I didn’t pursue it because I saw working toward a degree in English as impractical. What could I do with it besides teach? No, I chose a degree in business administration because that would be far more useful to me. And it has been.

But a week ago, when I was sharing my woes with a friend, she mentioned that the high school she works at is looking for an upper level English teacher and she thought I might be a good fit. I took it as some sort of a sign. I called the principal of the school the next morning to let her know I am interested. She left me a message in return saying she is also interested. (She has been at a principals’ conference for several days so we haven’t connected yet). In the interim, I have applied for a temporary teaching certificate, thinking it is probably worth the $60 fee to have a back up plan.

I contacted the people I know whom I admire most and asked for their help. The idea is to find a job that not only allows me to spend more time with my daughter, but that will also give me the kind of personal fulfillment that my present job is completely devoid of. The plan was simply to keeping working where I am until something better comes along.

But last Friday, the plan changed, though not that much. I was informed by the shareholders that I was no longer being considered for partner. They drafted a killer cya memo about why I was out of the race, but we all know it was because I had made my daughter my first priority. I knew it would happen, but I am still very disappointed. And all they really did was move up my timeline for leaving.

So now the plan is to be out of here by January 1st.

I will be posting about my search for a new job until I find one.

Prospects as of December 4th:

  • Part-time attorney – Outlook: not good
  • High school English teacher – Outlook: promising (but “ouch,” talk about a pay cut)
  • Unemployed – Outlook: very likely (but on the plus side I would get a lot more time with my little girl)

 

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