Reframe

October 23, 2020

I'm the kind of person who is always five minutes early, rather than late, to an event. Traditionally, this is a trait that has benefitted me with punctuality and dependability. However, in terms of preparing for my first potential mentor interview, this was not the case. I sat in front of my laptop — fully dressed in business professional attire — after having adjusted the lighting and my environment about seventeen times. Once I ran out of things to distract myself with, I was faced with the daunting task of thinking (and overthinking) about the upcoming conversation. Like the Business Symposium, I found myself creating worst-case scenarios for myself and undermining my own preparation.

Sure enough, 2:00 p.m rolled around and the call came in. During the first few minutes of our conversation, I could audibly perceive my nerves. But a few questions (and a couple of anecdotes) later, we began to find our flow. I almost entirely disregarded the rigid set and predetermined order of questions that I had worked so tirelessly to craft in favor of a more natural tone. I still asked most of the same questions, but in a way that didn't feel formulaic. The interview went so well that I even got a referral from it. Aside from the referral, I learned a lot about what it takes to become an attorney and even some of the difficulties that I have to anticipate.

I have another interview this week and I've decided to try a new approach to it. Instead of channeling my nerves into fear, I am channeling them into excitement because, well, I am excited. Law is something that has appealed to me ever since I was a middle schooler, so why shouldn't I be excited to talk to someone who is living my dream?