Work Flow...

7 Months after graduation.

I love what I do. I genuinely whole heartedly love what I do. Speaking of what I do I’m currently the operations manager of the Smart Dolphins Schools. My journey to this position has undoubtedly been a privileged one but also an incredibly rewarding one. My love for children has never been so delicately nurtured the way it has been these past 7 months. While I’m not the greatest fan of routine, I’ve learned to love and appreciate routine because children really need an efficient routine. Which in turn means that I have to have systems in place that facilitate said routine. Not only do these systems have to facilitate the children’s routine, but they have to compliment everyone’s schedule from the support staff to the teachers, the drivers, prospective students’ parents and the directors.

Beyond my contractual obligations and the details of each system, I wake up not loathing where I’m going, looking forward to seeing the priceless smiles I’ll get once break comes around, the endless stories of what who’s mom and dad bought whom and the tiny hugs in the hallway that will forever make my heart swell.

For a little background on why this is all so profound is because 7 months ago my reality was quite the contrast. 7 months ago I was in law school while simultaneously majoring in international relations as well which is why it’s a little strange that I currently work in a completely opposite field. Firstly, because unemployment is real, particularly when most firms ask for someone over 21 (as if my age negates my degree) and secondly after law school, I thought I would go for the one-year Bar Course, become a lawyer and fulfill my dream of practicing law. However, after interning at a couple of law firms I quickly realized that while I love studying the theory of the law, I somewhat detest it in practice. The moral politics of it all was proving to be quite the burden on my work ethic, my moral standard and my time above all. I couldn’t personally justify some of the choices I saw be implemented simply because the law dictated it so.

I highly respect the art of “lawyering”. Slightly contradictory to the previous statement but equally true. The law is immensely intriguing and stimulating but it’s also flawed like several institutions. Most lawyers I’ve interacted with expressed that if I wanted to change the system I’d have to do it from the inside out, essentially reiterating that I’d have to become a lawyer. I partially disagree. I believe I can shift the system without becoming it, without being complacent to it, without losing myself to it! Tenacity is a trait I saw I would need to exercise in plenty within my once upon a time dream profession and unfortunately it’s not a trait I possess in excess. I’ve come to the conclusion that I loved the offices and the suits, the buildings, the money and the prowess that came with the title but I didn’t love the job.

International relations on the other hand I absolutely adore. The beauty of breaking down paradigms to discuss and dismantle discourse in an abundance of systems instilled by hegemonic states (both at a national and international level) through variations of power politics sounds like heaven to me. I’m not sure what job description that would match but if it exists sign me up.

So, fast forward 5 years and maybe I might find the perfect balance of utilizing my degree and feeling fulfilled. I might dabble in the law again, join the legal sector in areas not confined to strictly traditional “lawyering,” but time will tell. In the meantime, I’ll be exploring the avenues my heart desires like pursuing my masters in international business, writing professionally, forex trading, starting a natural hair care line, growing my foundation and what ever else my heart shall will me to do.

Overall, I think we have to start allowing ourselves to chose our hearts and not be influenced by everyone else’s opinions when it comes to something as consuming as our professions. Our life’s work should merely be measured by how fulfilled we are by it and how positively it’s affected others.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk xx

Sincerely,

Sometimes She Writes