I just finished the first draft of my personal statement last night. I need some tough critics to let me know how it is!
My nose has been buried in a book – any book, every book – as long as I can remember. Growing up, my parents would religiously load my sister and me into the family mini-van and cart us over to the public library each week so we could cram as many books as we could into our pink beach bags. This weekly ritual ultimately developed my unbound excitement for learning. Stories provided ideas, ideas led to thoughts, and these thoughts became my motivation to learn more. Reading a story about a dinosaur would trigger my inevitable return to the library the following week in pursuit of books about dinosaur anatomy or the history of dinosaurs. This motivation did not simply linger in my childhood, but has grown immensely throughout my young adult life.
My desire to learn has set me apart from my peers for most of my academic career. Going to school and engaging in class has always been somewhat of a thrill for me. This desire, however, was not outwardly apparent in my early schooling days, as I lacked the confidence in myself that remains imperative to excel. When asked questions aloud by teachers throughout grade-school, I remember intentionally answering, “I don’t know,” regardless of whether I actually knew the answer. This practice allowed me to avoid the humiliation guessing ensued, and at the same time shielded me from stuttering or mispronouncing a word, both of which proved to be more traumatic than simply not knowing. Nevertheless, the coveted confidence took root in the coming years. I attribute this to a blooming maturity, coupled with a commitment to take myself less seriously. (So what if I slur a word? People giggle and life goes on.)
Amed with confidence and a strong desire to learn, I entered college searching for a calling, or a sign at the very least. No decision has ever been more vital, yet challenging. My curiosity significantly stalled the decision-making process, resulting in multiple switched majors – a naturally frustrating situation. Law school had been on my radar for a couple of years, but I had never been completely certain. The challenging problem solving and constant learning lawyers experience truly appealed to me, but I did not know much about the profession. How is one to know the specifics of any career without hands-on experience? Also weighing heavily on my mind was the immense debt-load which generally accompanies law school. My father, having been unemployed nearly two years, constantly warns of the dangers debt inspires, which has given me a keen appreciation of debtless and stable living. With everything seemingly weighing against law school, I began to seek alternative career paths.
Despite extensive career-centered research, however, nothing seemed to excite me more than the prospects of practicing law. Consequently, I understood that discovering what the profession actually entails was imperative. A quick email to a local judge resulted in an unexpected shadowing opportunity two days later. In addition to experiencing multiple hearings in the Courtroom, I was privileged enough to meet several lawyers throughout the day, and interrogate them about their profession. One particular lawyer extended a job opportunity to me on the spot! Not everyone believes in fate, but this opportunity solidified my conviction.
Working at McCoy & Montgomery Law Office has reaffirmed my ultimate goal to become a lawyer, and I am excited for what the future holds. Bearing a thirst for knowledge, indispensable confidence, and the understanding of the magnitude of my decision, I will continue my journey, one step at a time.
Thanks a ton!!!
