In September, I began 2L intending to remain true to myself despite all the stress inherently attached to planning a career in law. At times, recruitment processes made me feel uncertain about whether I could hold onto the promises I made myself about what was most important to me in my future career. Being connected with Jeanelle Dundas, especially at this point in law school, was a genuine gift. Jeanelle is Senior Legal Counsel at the Bank of Canada, specializing in digital currencies, FinTech and financial law. Jeanelle reflected the presence of what I hope to be as a lawyer – grounded, honest, and intentional. I thought I would share the two main lessons I took away from our conversation:
- Pay attention to the indicators of what you enjoy in law school.
In law school, you don’t have to change who you are to mould yourself to fit the expectations of what you think a corporate job requires. Instead, pursue opportunities and classes that you feel a genuine calling towards and align yourself with your passions and interests. If you realize that you enjoy particular types of mental stimulation – whether it is asking the big theoretical questions behind a concept (a motivation that Jeanelle and I discovered we shared) or delving into the minutia of legislation, find the job that allows you to pursue those interests. Remember, you will not become an entirely different person the moment you become a lawyer. The indicators during law school can serve as guideposts, pointing towards the type of work that will be fulfilling in your future.
2. Leverage your skills and build your narrative.
Taking the time to genuinely know yourself amidst the trials and tribulations of legal education is paramount. It’s about more than just knowing your likes and dislikes, but rather, positioning yourself and creating a narrative that resonates with you authentically. In this journey, some of the tasks you complete as a junior lawyer may initially seem tedious or simply not something you are passionate about; however, it is crucial to persist in building competencies and developing concrete legal skills and, above all, finding joy in being a constant learner! It might not be possible to plan everything for how you see your future career unfolding, but that’s okay. Make a change when you need to, and in those moments of transition, think about how you can leverage your skills to apply in a potential new environment.
Jeanelle prompted me to think further about not only what kind of law I was hoping to practice but to reflect on what type of life I wanted to be living for the next 3-5 years. As law students, we don’t often speak about this type of reflection. But perhaps, if we all thought more deeply about Jeanelle’s advice, it could ease our anxiety and help us find our paths with maybe a little less stumbling. I want to thank Jeanelle again for her generous time and support – I hope one day I can be even half the lawyer and person she is.