Just figured out that the likely reason why I went to law school and was so obsessed with getting into big law was seeking validation.

The best part of getting the job was to be able to post to LinkedIn that I got it, to make people think: "Wow dude, you’re damn smart"

Am I happy now? No, the exact opposite.

Please give me some advice on how to get out of this mess.

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Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

damn is that why so many ppl post those “im humbled and excited for BLA BLA” on linkedin?

likefunny

Doin it for the likes

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If you’re smart enough to get in, you’re smart enough to get out

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If it’s any consolation, that’s true for at least 50% of the lawyers you know, if not more.

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Go in-house

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You’re way ahead of the game as you have attained the self-awareness necessary to improve your situation. Best options now involve A) figuring out what truly matters to you and then trying to keep BigLaw but let it only fill in the cracks around what matters rather than take over your life. Tough but doable, depending (eg boundaries as an associate and eventually counsel or something similar). Or B) figuring out what truly matters to you and then leaving BigLaw to pursue that.

smart

Pay your student loans off, buy a house, and try to find an area you enjoy practicing. That way if you want to leave big law at least you won’t have those two shackles weighing you down.

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