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Dear Friends,
Things are really moving here at Career Moves...The
employment outlook continues to improve and lots of
people are more confidant about the prospect of
finding new, more rewarding work or changing
careers altogether.
In this edition of our e-newsletter you can read about
a recent networking event we had in partnership with
CJP's Young Leadership Division. Over 50 people
attended this dynamic event called Extreme
Makeover:Career Edition.
On the other end of the age spectrum we are thrilled
to announce a new joining of forces between JVS
Career Moves and Discovering What's
Next:ReVitalizing Retirement, Inc. (DWN). DWN
is a network of people and community organizations,
based at the Newton Public Library. Once a month,
beginning on May 31st, from 9:00 to 11:am
one of our Career Moves staff will be at the DWN
Hub at the library in order to provide free consultation
on job search, career exploration, and resume
crafting as well as age-related issues and
networking. Drop in and see us. Visit DWN's website
at www.discoveringwhatsnext.com
We are always interested in your feedback. Call me
or any member of our staff or write us at
cmovesmail@jvs-boston.org
Judy Sacks
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* LOOKING AT THE LAW
On March 29, Career Moves sponsored a panel
discussion focusing both on changes in the legal
field as well as alternative careers for lawyers. This
program was part of our quarterly program series
exploring various employment sectors and
professions.
Stressors:
All the panelists acknowledged that law has always
been a high-stress occupation, partially due to the
focus on billable hours. That stress is exacerbated by
the reduced partnership slots available in larger firms
resulting from the merger and acquisition frenzy of the
past decade. Firms are increasingly hiring contract
attorneys who are ineligible for partnership.
Another stressor for some lawyers is a result of
increased competition. Sole practitioners and
lawyers practicing in small firms need to become
skilled at marketing. This can be very challenging for
attorneys who lack the talent for and/or the interest in
marketing.
Alternatives:
In answer to a question about opportunities for using
one's legal skills outside of the traditional law firm,
panelists said that industries being funded with
venture capital, including biotech/pharma,
medical
devices, and nanotechnology, are looking to fill in-
house legal positions. For those lawyers
contemplating transition out of law or those who take
time off to attend to family responsibilities, taking a
job as a contract lawyer is a good way to keep a hand
in the field.
Leaving a job in a law firm, or leaving the practice of
law altogether, can be difficult because it often means
a loss of professional status as well as income. But
despite the discomfort involved, the panelists urged
audience members to do the necessary work to
identify the type of work and environment that will be
most satisfying. They advised transitioning lawyers to
engage in career self-assessment to determine the
kind of position they're best suited for. Self
assessment, as part of a career counseling process,
can help attorneys gain clarity about their professional
preferences. The panelists encouraged audience
members to use the career counseling services at
Career Moves. Our counselors and
employment
coaches have a track record of working with attorneys
who have changed careers entirely, or who have gone
on to practice other types of law.
Note: We are launching a new 6-week program for
lawyers in transition beginning on June 6th. Read on
for details.
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"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never
be perfect. There will always be challenges,
obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what.
Get started now. With each step you take, you will
grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled,
more and more self-confident and more and more
successful."
Mark Victor Hansen, Motivational Speker.
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