Case Studies

Career transition; transitioning into a new practice area and from private practice to government and self-advocacy

Miriam was a 27-year-old second-year associate at a top-tier national firm, who came to coaching without a clear goal in mind. She was unhappy but did not know why. Although we are reluctant to work with clients who cannot clearly identify their coaching issue, we agreed to work with Miriam to help her define her career goals and, in particular, to help her find a career that would be satisfying and fulfilling.

Because Miriam was diligent in doing the introspective work that was necessary to define what she wanted for herself — both professionally and personally — she was able, through her analysis of the results of a number of skill, personality and value assessments administered by the coach and her own due diligence, to quickly conclude that she enjoyed the practice of law but wanted to do so in a different setting — specifically, she wanted to pursue a career at the Federal Trade Commission. During her first 18 months at her firm she had not, however, developed the type of expertise that the FTC was currently seeking, nor was she working in a practice group where she could easily develop that expertise.

Having identified the direction in which she wished to move her career, Miriam used the coaching engagement to help her transition into the specific type of position that she was seeking. With the support of the coach, she advocated for herself among the partners in the antitrust practice group at her firm and eventually procured a transfer to that group. She also used the coach’s own contacts to identify specific individuals in similar positions at the FTC and in private practice with whom she could network. Finally, she joined several committees at the national and local bar association that would expand her contacts.

Miriam made a commitment to remain at her firm for an additional two to three years to acquire the experience that she needed to transition into government practice. She intends to work hard to acquire the experience that she needs in order to make her planned transition and, after building solid relationships and earning a reputation for good work, she intends to elicit the support of the firm in making her transition.