Growing in the Direction of My Dreams

Work anniversaries should always be celebrated and be a time of self-reflection of your professional growth. Katie Carelli, a Lawline team member, just celebrated her 1-year work anniversary! Get a glimpse of her experience here at Lawline. 

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”― Henry David Thoreau

One of the crazier things I’ve done in my life is deciding to pick up and move from Florida to New York without a job, an apartment, or a plan - only my dreams. Without spoiling too much just yet, everything worked out. Let me tell you how. 

Coming out of school with an English degree, I never would have thought that I’d land a job in New York City, related to my degree or otherwise. I had been plunged into a state of uncertainty by professors, family, and friends. “What are you going to do with that?” “It’ll be hard for you to find a job.” “Why don’t you study something more useful?” Their words were expected and cliché, but it didn’t stop the self-doubt.

Stubborn and determined, I chugged forward, convincing myself I’d prove them wrong.

And prove them wrong I did. 

I was given an offer within a month of settling in New York as the Content & Events Coordinator for Lawline. I was thrilled. Not only did I surprise myself with the speed of which I got a job, but it was content-based and somewhat related to the work I’d been doing for years. While excited, I was also admittedly nervous. I was unfamiliar with the legal field and it definitely wasn’t where I thought I’d end up, but I was excited to explore the content side of things and learn more about the field.

When I first started, I was loaded with administrative tasks and event-planning. I was scheduling blog articles to be published, creating materials for our programs, sifting through course comments, and planning one of our widely-attended quarterly events. As I settled into the job, I was eager to grow. I understood that all of the tasks I had been performing were vital to the company and part of the position, and had no qualms about performing them. But I couldn’t help but want something more -  something more in line with my passions. Within a few months of working at Lawline, my wishes were granted. I expressed my desire to be more involved in content creation and I was afforded those opportunities. Now, instead of just scheduling articles for our blog, I’m editing them and writing some of them. Instead of just posting content on Instagram, I’m designing it. I have grown drastically within the realm of content creation and I am thrilled with how far I’ve come since I started a year ago. 

From a state of uncertainty and doubt, I was quickly launched into a state of confidence and fulfillment, knowing that I can achieve my goals and grow both personally and professionally doing what I love. Lawline has given me so many opportunities to grow in the direction of my dreams and I am grateful for the people, environment, and culture that have allowed me to do so. I’m looking forward to all future growth opportunities, and to putting my experience and interests to use.