My career change..From Environmental Health to Law

I always look at people who got the career path right on the first try and I can’t help but feel envy. Envy that they didn’t have to waste so much time in a career that wasn’t for them, envy that people who chose the ‘right’ careers have been promoted numerous times by now and are perhaps in managerial positions. Envious because I have been looking at other people’s paths and comparing them with mine. I recently learned that, really, no two paths are the same and that I might not be where I want to be but I am exactly where I need to be.

The story of how I chose to go into law is quite a long one and this post isn’t really about that part of the story. I want to share some of the challenges that I’ve faced and encourage someone who is thinking of changing careers and has some reservations for any reason, to take that leap of faith.

Age consideration

When I decided to enroll for an undergraduate degree, I was 26. Honestly, I felt too old and too late. I would count how old I would be when I finish the degree and just shudder. I am going to be such an old Candidate Attorney. I would think of the young people that will be graduating the same year and just want to die. I will be the older lady amongst all these young, bushy-tailed, fresh out of varsity students, OMG.

The thing is, time is going to lapse whether you have enrolled for that degree or not. I would rather the time lapses and I have a 2nd degree to my name. Yes, I will be the older lady amongst a group of youngsters but I bring with me some experience and a level head, that is an asset. I would rather be an ‘old’ Candidate Attorney that is following her dream, than be the ‘right’ aged manager, completely miserable everyday. That’s where my career path was leading, I knew that because I was just not happy. I didn’t feel like I was making an impact in anyone’s life and I resented that when I go on leave, someone else just continues with the work, I come back, I don’t come back, no skin off anyone’s back.

Studying at UNISA

You have to admit that there’s a stigma. I always see memes going around about lawyers from UNISA and that used to bother me. I used to think that because I studied through distance learning, I wouldn’t be as respected as students from all the other universities. Worse yet, no company will want to hire me.

While there might be biases, even in the recruitment space, that doesn’t take away from the hard work that I have put in and how difficult the course is. It doesn’t take away from the fact that I was challenged in so many ways and I learnt so many things about myself. It definitely doesn’t take away from the fact that, during my studies, I mothered someone, I was a wife to someone, I was under full-time employment and still managed to do well academically... if that’s not badassery then I don’t know what is. Any company that doesn’t see that as an assets, probably doesn’t deserve me.

What if it’s not what I should be doing or what if I don’t love it?

This was a real concern. I mean, I’ve never practiced law, I don’t know what that’s like, how do I know this is the right path? What if I am making a mistake? Well, that question was answered not so long ago. I read somewhere that one of the indicators that you are in the right place or doing the right thing, is peace. That was such an ahhhaa-moment for me. I am definitely at peace. I don’t know how the journey will be or how well I will do, but I trust that I am a hardworking person but most importantly, I trust God. I trust that He will help me navigate these uncharted waters. I trust that the pieces of the puzzle will keep coming together everyday and I don’t have to know the end goal, I just need enough light for right now.

Why am I sharing all this right now? Because, if I had fears before going into this, someone else might have them too, perhaps not identical fears but fears nonetheless. Experiences are hardly unique. Let’s talk about these things and find ways of helping each other navigate this life thing.

It’s not too late to be whomever you want to be. It doesn‘t need to make sense to anyone but you. If you can’t let go of your full time employment, understandable, I couldn’t either but I found a way to make it work. It was really hard and quite stressful but I am here, still standing and probably a better person for it. There is always a way.

There have been so many challenges but there have been many wins as well and I am really proud of how far I have come. So..if you have been thinking about registering and doing that course, do it. You don’t need to have all the answers, you need just enough light for right now. I wish you all the best.

❤️✨ Gcobisa M