I'm not good at networking. No matter how many times the career services staff reminds me that networking is how one gets a job, I still can't do it. I never know what to ask, so 25 tables of legal professionals had me shaking in my boots. Or pointy toed black pumps. But I guess my footwear choice is irrelevant.*
I will admit, that I did meet some really nice people, including one attorney who was a paleontology major in college. That's a lot like anthropology. If he got a job, maybe I will too one day. He was pretty reassuring, and told me "Some people are going to have a legal career and stick with it until the end. The other 6 out of 7 of you are going to swerve all over the place. So don't start worrying yet." It was a good feeling, knowing that I wasn't the only person who was confused.
Some of the attorneys were scary. There were a couple who clearly didn't want to be there, and only showed because the partners made them. And there was one who gave me a lecture on ObamaCare that sounded like I had made some kind of grave healthcare mistake. I wanted to apologize to him. But really, I just wanted to leave and couldn't think of a way to make a graceful exit. He just kept talking. After that, I took a break and ate some food. (God bless law school. They provide alcohol and snacks at all of these events.)
LSBFF is a networking goddess. I wish I could be like her. However, I think I've learned that no matter how much I love her,** I need to not work next to her. She's so awesome she makes me nervous. I'm better off striking out on my own and doing things my own way. It all goes back to the "branding" thing. She has a different personality type than I do. She can schmooze with the best of them. I'm better of at telling a joke to break the ice. It's not like I'm fighting for attention. I'm six feet tall. Someone will notice me.
I would say the best parts of the night, though, were in being snarky. James asked me more than once if I had a job yet. I replied more than once that I had been offered like ten and couldn't choose. And a couple of girls that we knew were wearing skirts WELL above the knee. Not that there's nothing wrong with that usually. I own a couple short skirts that I love. But this was a professional event! Who buys a suit with a skirt that stops three inches above the knee? Of course, when I mentioned this to someone else, his response was, "I guess that's how you get a job."
Yeah, with the creepy solo practitioner at the end of the row who can't look at your face.
And the very, very best part of the night? When one of the career services staff members came up to LSBFF and I and said, "Ladies, I want to put you on a poster. I can see your pantyhose."
That's right. I'm now the Law School poster girl for the proper wearing of pantyhose.
I was totally waiting to be famous one day.
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*Let's be honest. Footwear choices are NEVER irrelevant.
**More than the moon and stars.
OMG I missed this post! I didn't know that's why you split up from me, I thought it was because we were interested in different stuff. I love you too! I guess I have Haz to thank for pulling me to that networking thing in December.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that the stafflady was tipsy, and that the other dude was creeping with a camcorder. Haha