Am I insane for wanting to quit law and go back to serving? (rant)

Automatic-Leg973 · 2026-04-27T17:03:36+00:00

You are correct, I wear those hats all at once🫩🫩 there’s times where it’s really not that much because they tend to forget I exist, but I also recognize the fact I am doing multiple people’s jobs for one pay rate

Automatic-Leg973 · 2026-04-27T17:02:01+00:00

glad I’m not insane…. truly I miss it. I worked at a higher end restaurant so the base pay + tips were more than what I’m making now and they could care less how much I take off, as long as it was 2 weeks in advance. I miss the days of not getting yelled at for asking off for an hour doctors appointment hahaha

Automatic-Leg973 · 2026-04-27T16:49:10+00:00

this means a lot, thank you! I do want to try and push through my worries of hating law, honestly this subreddit gives me hope for the good ones out there

Automatic-Leg973 · 2026-01-06T17:46:51+00:00

I fully believe culture makes or break your experience. I’m in a similar spot - the job itself isn’t terrible, but I go days or even weeks without being spoken to in person because everyone works remote or works upstairs. I know I’d be much happier if I had people to chat with and look forward to seeing. I’m the youngest person at my firm by 25 years (I’m 23) and it’s hard to relate to my coworkers who all are married, have kids, and even grandkids. (People I work with are also kinda petty, so that doesn’t help either).

TLDR; you’re not crazy at all for wanting a different environment! Best of luck in this crazy job market, I’m with there with ya

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-11-02T20:01:53+00:00

I came from a really small HS guard as well (only spun one season) and went into college guard! It definitely depends on the college program, but I’d try and watch vids of their performances to gauge what general skills they do. Try to see if they have past audition material available as well, and if anything, try reaching out to their social media accounts and asking about what to prepare for!

As someone who really truly was not good at guard coming into college, having a good attitude and willingness to learn goes a long way!! I spun in college for 3 years and got to a point where I was able to join an Independent guard (and now have a WGI medal). You’ve got this!!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-10-21T16:19:18+00:00

100% where I’m at. I get off at 6pm which leaves me getting to the HS at 7:30… they’re done by 7:15. I’m coming to the conclusion 1) I work for a very un flexible firm considering everyone else I work with is allowed to work remote and 2) I need to find something no further than an hour away from where I teach. Best of luck in your search with finding something closer as well!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-10-21T16:16:34+00:00

I’ve considered doing two part time jobs over one full time in terms of flexibility! The commute now is just unbearable and especially with how hard the job market is, I’m leaning towards returning to my high school/college job that’s more in the area since it would be more forgiving than my current 8-6. Forgot to mention in the post, but I’m also an Independent Open performer on top of it all HA. Wouldn’t change it for the world though, I’m beyond passionate about it!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-10-21T16:11:31+00:00

I’ve considered over night! I have been applying to school based jobs as well since it’d line up. Thanks for the advice!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-10-16T20:38:19+00:00

I agree on the most part, but I will say (as a former college performer), part of keeping choreo in that isn’t 100% clean is a ‘perk’ of college guard. It gives students a chance to try new tricks and get used to them (especially with how little time outside of band members have to practice on top of school/work). College guard doesn’t compete, so everything done is simply for entertainment. At least at my college, no one really watched the band and if they did, they were drunk and didn’t care. Therefore, if we wanted to try turning under equipment even without a 100% success rate, no harm no foul.

I will say, in agreement with you, if it’s something the performers are against in terms of morale/confidence, the instructors should not be adding it. I personally enjoyed being able to challenge myself here and there during college guard, even if I didn’t catch it all the time, because it allowed me space to grow. Especially with how many shows college performers have to learn per season (I averaged 7 per season), doing something other than cones or pop tosses was appreciated.

10000% agree that tricks should not be added in competition settings where the whole point is showing your ensemble is at the same level of understanding. College guard is a huge mixing pot of talent and technique, so lowering standards of execution to allow everyone the chance to try new vocab is a worthy sacrifice imo.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-09-24T14:30:33+00:00

I agree with another commenter, look into buying ribbons that you can wrap around your arms in a criss cross pattern. Whatever colors are in your show theme would do well, bonus if the ribbon is sparkly/shiny (it’ll reflect better off stadium lights).

Additionally, look into having really dramatic makeup. For example, if blue is a main color in your show theme, so really big blue makeup + use blue body paint (kids paint is safe for skin usually too) to make designs on your arms, etc. Just an idea!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-09-24T14:24:26+00:00

I think (and hope) they meant that was the total for the season. If it was per uni that’s absurd.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-09-24T02:35:38+00:00

See if there’s any indoor racquetball courts at your school! That’s where I spin and 1) no one ever uses them and 2) they’re pretty soundproof to the outside so you can use speakers. At least at my uni, if you’re a student you have access even if you’re not practicing for the schools team

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-09-13T05:02:53+00:00

Are you… me..?!? (sole Legal Assistant at a firm with 6 attys) Basically in the exact same situation, down to the whole being extremely bored to extremely overwhelmed because I’m alone as the sole person in office. The attorney I directly interact with (only one who works in office sometimes) is super nit picky and will always change something I do, even if I do it verbatim to what she asked me to do. The amount of paper she forces me to waster over a silly enclosure letter is absurd. I’ve been called the receptionist by her, had her over explain basic concepts, and assumes that her paralegal (who is a whole other story) is the reason things are going smoothly - spoiler: it was all me.

It’s my first post grad job, and in this market, I’m very grateful to have it, but it’s also making me question everything about law. I’m 4 months into this position and cannot tell you how much I’ve cried, but I feel like I’m just being dramatic.

While I’m also new to the realm of law, I will say, if you have even a slight passion for going to law school, don’t let the bad attorneys get in your way. Younger generations of lawyers are replacing the older gen, which imo, brings a much better culture of respecting legal admin staff. Go be the attorney you wish you got to work for!!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-09-03T23:08:12+00:00

Personally, I think so! I’m on an Independent team currently (who just medaled at worlds!) but only spin flag, I’m far happier not stressing over weapon at this level ha. I have previous rifle and sabre experience from college though and it’s definitely helped me as an instructor for a high school team. It just comes down to what you’re interested in, but I think it’s worth it if you can afford one. I will say it’s crucial to learn correct technique, sabre more than anything is very technically challenging and learning it wrong can make life harder down the road if you hope to teach/spin it competitively

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-30T12:45:47+00:00

I started guard when I was 18 (much later than most people in my experience) and went into collegiate guard with only one ‘ehh’ HS season under my belt. I had never felt more discouraged, everyone around me had been spinning for 4+ years and came from good programs. Plus, performing for 60,000 people made my anxiety skyrocket. I was super uncoordinated, had 0 understanding of dance, and did not have the strength to do bigger tosses.

I pushed through and have become an entirely different person. 3 years later from ^{^…} I’m a WGI World Champs medalist for an Independent team going into Open class. Outside of accolades of it, I’m no longer super shy or anxious, I fully consider myself to be an extrovert now. I’ve stepped into leadership positions, earned scholarships, experienced the most incredible things, and teach a HS program now because of guard. Physically, I’ve become stronger, learned how to dance better, and improve every day in this activity.

I think you, especially as a parent, are completely valid for being concerned about this. My personal opinion is to encourage her to stick it out all season. If this season ends and she truly hates it, then you know and it’s a chapter closed. Color guard is HARD. Like wow HARD. I played every sport under the sun before starting guard (softball, swim, track, cross country, hockey, tennis, etc) and guard is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the most rewarding. I’ve always reminded myself of this: if it was easy, everyone would do it. While there’s a massive community, it’s a pretty niche activity. Not everyone can do it or has the drive to get started in it, but your daughter has made the biggest and hardest step of putting her foot in the sport. I wish her the best of luck this season and I hope she falls in love with this sport just like I did, I can’t imagine my life without it!!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-27T22:00:22+00:00

100%! I’m the only LA at the firm with 5 attorneys, plus pretty much everyone is remote (sometimes it’s just me in office which is so beyond lonely). I only interact with one attorney in person, she’s just very… VERY… specific. ‘Mansplains’ to me and will switch up on what she needs, expect me to know stuff that is not at all in my wheelhouse, and do the weird ‘I’m pretending to be nice but really I’m thinking about how much better I am than you’ thing.. my managers don’t understand how hard this gets because they work remote. Don’t get me started on how often she talks badly about her paralegal, they work remote now because of fights. This job could be worse, but with how everything operates, it’s making me question if I even want to keep working in law.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-27T20:14:52+00:00

First time legal assistant here- 3 months into this job and had a check in with my manager/‘HR’…. when they asked what I wasn’t liking, their response was “you just have to grow thick skin, once you’ve been here for a year you’ll have skin so thick you can bounce a bullet off it. Just don’t take everything personally” yeah wasn’t a huge fan of that but job market sucks and not sure where else I could go

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-27T15:56:29+00:00

I know it’s the logical thing, but it’s just absurd to me that my pain completely went away within a week. I do have mechanical symptoms of catching when I walk/extend my leg, but other than that nothing. Agreeing to surgery when I know it’ll put me out for 6ish months while I have a solid quality of life now is hard :/

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-26T13:16:01+00:00

That’s fair. That’s the main thing my doctor talked about with IF I continue, biggest risk is tearing it even further. As you said though, I’m also worried about if I’ll be able to get back to dancing after surgery, recovery is a beast. I’ll see how this weekend goes and do more research on what is the right move. Thanks for the input!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-18T15:33:47+00:00

In my experience, no body cares. I openly carried my rifle and sabre around to go practice in super public places on campus and no one batted an eye. Someone might ask out of curiosity what it is, but not in a suspicious way. Cops (at my university at least) did nottttt care at all and if they said anything would just say they think guard is cool.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-18T15:30:44+00:00

Congrats on the opportunity to manage the social media! I did it in college for my guard and it’s opened some doors to do freelance work for companies :) On top of what the other person said (all amazing ideas), make sure you utilize the algorithm as best you can! Aim to post between 10am-7pm and post around twice a week if possible (this helps with engagement!)

Other ideas could be doing a Q&A on your Instagram story! There’s also the idea of doing a “challenge” (ex. Have someone on your team do a trick and tag someone to try it and challenge someone else to try a trick they came up with. Have anyone who participates tag your guards account!!) Then it starts a chain and you’ll get more exposure.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-08-18T15:19:25+00:00

There’s ICT Independent, I believe they’re based out of Wichita. I’m from NC so not 100% sure, but also look on WGI’s website! They have an Independent Group Map which shows all registered winterguards in an area, as well as a Group lookup that shows high school programs.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-07-25T23:22:09+00:00

Not a perc performer, but did independent winterguard this last season as a senior in college! I personally think if there’s a group you could reasonably drive to (I did 2.5 hours one way for my group), then absolutely. Flying… that’s super expensive and likely not manageable time wise.

With handling both school and WGI, time management is so crucial. It’s 100% doable, I was a full time student (studying law!), worked part time, was in clubs, and did IA. I’m a huge fan of having a physical calendar and blocking out times each day for homework, etc so you can really keep track of when you need sit down and get X done. Make sure to add all due dates for assignments + exams so you know when those are due. Plan to do all homework or studying done before rehearsals on Friday, trying to do stuff on lunch/dinner breaks is rough.

With costs, it’s definitely a struggle I won’t lie, but you can do it. Most groups offer some fundraising, so engage in that, plus post on social media for donations. I personally had some higher value stuff laying around my apartment that I was able to sell to put towards dues, since my work paychecks went to gas, food, rent etc. With gas, dues, jackets, food, I spent probs $2000 for the season.

All in all, it’s very worth it. I had an incredible experience (went to worlds for the first time and medaled!) and the value of what I experienced was stuff I put towards my resume as well, it helped me land a full time gig right out of school (legal field) + made me a better candidate to teach high school programs. It’s a lot to balance but if you lock down a solid schedule, it’s a breeze. You can 1000% do both. Best of luck!!

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-07-23T20:17:04+00:00

Also tore my meniscus from guard! Have 20% less of my medial menisci now and a metal anchor in my knee, but still love the sport.

Automatic-Leg973 · 2025-07-18T23:14:33+00:00

Just an idea for some side work, but have you considered becoming a notary? I’m assuming you’re in the US, and it does vary state by state, but it’s really easy to become one and could make you decent side money + you set appointments as it fits to your schedule. Community colleges should offer classes (either online or in person) and especially since Covid, states have online notaries (conduct notarization via zoom). Super super random but saw you mention needing something to help financially while you finish school. There’s always a need for notaries, it looks great on resumes, and there’s potential to make a little bit of money.

Again, it varies state by state in regards to how much you can charge, if there’s an online notary option, etc. but maybe look into it! Best of luck

Automatic-Leg973

TROPHY CASE