Overcoming prior professional experience

[Quickofwit]

I've spent the past 10 years as a public defender. For the first five years I represented clients who were charged with capital murder or on death row. For the past five years I have represented clients charged with or convicted of federal felonies, mostly in appellate and postconviction proceedings. I have always loved working with my clients: interviewing them, visiting them, counseling them, listening to them, piecing together the stories of their lives, especially their biopsychosocial histories. I am a good defender, but researching the law, drafting memoranda and briefs, and arguing in court do not provide the same personal and professional satisfaction that I get from my client interaction. In fact, I enjoy being a CASA Volunteer more than I enjoy being a lawyer.

 

To be honest, I went to law school because I wanted to make a difference and chose the law based upon the erroneous assumption that it would allow me to have the greatest impact. Having succeeded in the face of so many obstacles, I felt a need to help those who had not. I was also drawn to the financial security it provided, which was very important to me as the first person in my family to complete the tenth grade. If I had it to do over again . . .

 

I can't, but I can make a difference and do what I love by becoming an LCSW and providing mental health services to those who are at risk of becoming offenders and the children of incarcerated parents.

 

My fear is that my professional experience will be viewed negatively. So I am seeking guidance on how to avoid that fear being born out. In addition to working as a CASA Volunteer, I spent two years in VISTA pror to law school working as a Communities in Schools site coordinator and program coordinator for a daytime homeless shelter. So I have human services experiences outside of the legal field. And I know that my legal experience does not equate to social work experience and that I will have to reorient myself and immerse myself in my education. You have to know what you don't know to learn and advance. For that reason, I plan on going to school full-time.

 

So what can I do in the application process to minimize the likelihood that my experience as a public defender works against me? And, as a follow up, how can I make my experience work for me and not against me while in school.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[MJL34]

Not sure how your experience would ever work against you in terms of applying to MSW programs. Sounds like you dedicated your professional life to defending the rights of individuals without regard to race, religion, socio-economic status, etc -- almost the ideal backstory for a future social worker. Do you think that social workers don't assist individuals dealing with legal issues (some quite serious) every day? You also likely have specific insight regarding the existing hurdles and bureaucratic issues that prevent many underserved populations from getting help. Don't beat yourself up over your concerns (in fact, to me the only concern is that you apparently don't realize what a strong background this is). Perhaps I'm missing your fears -- or others have a different view -- but I'd say don't try to hide the work that you've done. (just my 2 cents)

[MsDarjeeling]

There are others that have made the switch from the legal profession to MSW or some other mental health related job.  A legal background is looked at favorably because there is some overlap between the two jobs and knowing how both systems work will allow you to help your clients with more of their needs.  The key is to make sure YOU don't indicate that YOU think it's a negative (its not!) because then that is what MSW adcoms will be left thinking.

[awright228]

I've spent the past 10 years as a public defender. For the first five years I represented clients who were charged with capital murder or on death row. For the past five years I have represented clients charged with or convicted of federal felonies, mostly in appellate and postconviction proceedings. I have always loved working with my clients: interviewing them, visiting them, counseling them, listening to them, piecing together the stories of their lives, especially their biopsychosocial histories. I am a good defender, but researching the law, drafting memoranda and briefs, and arguing in court do not provide the same personal and professional satisfaction that I get from my client interaction. In fact, I enjoy being a CASA Volunteer more than I enjoy being a lawyer.

 

To be honest, I went to law school because I wanted to make a difference and chose the law based upon the erroneous assumption that it would allow me to have the greatest impact. Having succeeded in the face of so many obstacles, I felt a need to help those who had not. I was also drawn to the financial security it provided, which was very important to me as the first person in my family to complete the tenth grade. If I had it to do over again . . .

 

I can't, but I can make a difference and do what I love by becoming an LCSW and providing mental health services to those who are at risk of becoming offenders and the children of incarcerated parents.

 

My fear is that my professional experience will be viewed negatively. So I am seeking guidance on how to avoid that fear being born out. In addition to working as a CASA Volunteer, I spent two years in VISTA pror to law school working as a Communities in Schools site coordinator and program coordinator for a daytime homeless shelter. So I have human services experiences outside of the legal field. And I know that my legal experience does not equate to social work experience and that I will have to reorient myself and immerse myself in my education. You have to know what you don't know to learn and advance. For that reason, I plan on going to school full-time.

 

So what can I do in the application process to minimize the likelihood that my experience as a public defender works against me? And, as a follow up, how can I make my experience work for me and not against me while in school.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

I'm just a lowly law graduate (not an attorney) and all the schools I applied to looked VERY favorably on my legal education and the little legal experience I had (clerkships and clinic experience). It also helped me get the GA position I got! So I imagine with all your experience, most MSW programs will love to have you!!! I really can't see ANY program holding it against you!!

Congrats on your decision to enter a new field and good luck!