““I’d Rather Die Than Do That Job” - How has no one called me out on this?

This is an update to my post ““I’d Rather Die Than Do That Job” <br><br>I’ve been sitting on this for a while because I’ve been trying to make sense of it all. I had a conversation a couple of months ago that I’m still reeling from and I finally have the courage to write about it.<br><br>This is very specific, but I’ll skip some details (and names) to make it anonymous because I’ve run out of shit to give at this point.<br><br>I have a new job at a very, very, very conservative firm. Everyone is very nice and supportive, but I can tell this is going to be a very tough four years if I decide to go to law school. <br><br>I work alongside some highly educated folks at this firm and I’ve had multiple conversations about my career and goals and aspirations. Last summer I was called into the office of one of the directors for a discussion on the type of work I’m doing and I mentioned (for context) I’m starting to apply for law schools as I’m trying to stay within the state (Idaho).<br><br>There are three directors. One of them is the CTO, one is the CEO and the other is a director of communications. I work for communications director. So I was getting feedback from the CEO.<br><br>The CEO’s response:<br><br>“I’m glad you’re applying to law school, I think you’ll be a great lawyer. However, I think your personality and demeanor might cause you to struggle as a lawyer.”<br><br>Huh? I thought. I didn’t know what that meant because I’m Confident, but not in the ‘asshole lawyer’ way, because I’m very empathetic, I’m a type 5 on the enneagram, I’m very laid-back and very fun. Very laid-back and very fun. I don’t usually struggle socially and am very good at getting along with people. I’m not a confrontational person. So I asked for clarification on what he meant and he said.<br><br>“You seem very easy-going and not confrontational and the practice of law is confrontational. It’s going to be very hard for you to be a lawyer. You’ll be very good, but you don’t have a lawyer personality.”<br><br>I thought that was a pretty weird thing to say but I had my suspicion he was going all ‘lawyer stereotypes’ on me and I was right. So I asked him. “You don’t think I’d be a good lawyer because I’m not confrontational? What makes you think that?” Now, I was thinking. “Oh no, did I just fuck up? What did I do?”<br><br>He responded with. “I don’t think you’d be a good lawyer because it’s confrontational and it’s very hard to deal with people on the opposite side. It’s a very brutal job. The hours are long, the people are difficult, the work is grueling. I don’t think you’d be good for it because of your personality.”<br><br>I then said. “Well, I do tend to get along with people pretty well. I figure if I can befriend everyone in this office, I can befriend nearly anyone. I think I would make a good lawyer.”<br><br>He then said. “I think you’d be a great lawyer, but I don’t think you’d want to do it.” He then started talking about how difficult the job is and how it would be hard to handle. I agreed with him. I think that’s why I’m trying to stay within the state instead of leaving for better opportunities, but I’m not too sure yet if I’m going to end up in private practice. However, I do wish to become a lawyer. <br><br>I then just went along with the rest of the conversation and let it simmer in my mind for a while. A few weeks later I had a meeting with the CTO and we were talking about work and how I seemed to really enjoy my work. He said he was really glad to hear that and he appreciated my positive attitude and work ethic.<br><br>I then said “I really do enjoy this work. I’m glad I get to learn so much while I’m here.” <br><br>He then said “I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it. I think you’ll be a great lawyer, but you’re not made for the practice of law.”<br><br>I was like “What? What did I do wrong? How did I screw up at this point? Are they not happy with me?” I started freaking out inside when he said that. I didn’t have a gut feeling that they were right, I just thought it was weird. I started to get really curious. I asked him the same question I asked the CEO “What makes you think that?” <br><br>He said “I don’t know. I just don’t think you’d be a good lawyer.”<br><br>I then said “Well, I’ve worked with plenty of lawyers and I think I would be a great lawyer. I’m not really sure what you think is wrong with me.”<br><br>He said “I just don’t think you’re a lawyer personality.” I thought to myself “Here we go again, lawyer stereotypes” so I asked him for clarification. I said “I think you’re going off the stereotypes of lawyers and not my actual personality. You’re not very good at reading people.” He agreed and then he said “I’m not good at reading people, but I’ve dealt with plenty of lawyers and I just don’t think you’ll be a good lawyer.” <br><br>I started to get frustrated with this conversation, so I just said “Okay, I get it. You don’t think I’d be a good lawyer.” And we moved on with the discussion. <br><br>I think these comments are bizarre and so weird to me because I’m a very fun-loving person, but I’m not lazy. I put my all into my work and I put my all into my hobbies. I think it’s very odd these two directors said the same thing to me. I don’t think I’m a lawyer personality, but I don’t think that’s something you can just look at someone and say. I’m a very fun and adventurous person and I know I’m not lazy. I’m not sure what to make of this, but I can say for a fact I’m putting my all into work and school, and I’m not sure where they’re getting this from. Has anyone else had an experience like this?