Reflection Paper
The purpose of this paper was to have us look into ourselves and
find out why we really are looking for that certain profession and why?
We had to answer three questions; Why am I seeking a career in business
or other profession, what kind of role do I seek as my career in
business of other profession, and what do I believe I can contribute to
society in that role?
Why am I seeking a career in business or other profession?
I am seeking a career in law because I want to help people and make a
difference in their lives. More precisely I want to be a public
defender and take pro bono cases on the side. I believe that every
person has the right to be represented even if they can’t afford it,
after all it is one our rights as Americans. I don’t agree with the
current system we have because it seems that money can buy you out of a
legal problem. That’s not justice and what if you don’t have money?
Shouldn’t you have the same rights that people with money have? After
having a stable career as a lawyer I would like to move into politics
and work my way up the ladder so I can have an impact on the law making
branch of government. This would allow me to influence many people’s
lives. According to Drucker, “What one does well-even very well- and
successfully may not fit with one’s values system.” (Drucker, 223) Over
time I may find out that I am gifted at prosecuting people, but my
values won’t allow me to do that. I might end up turning down a huge
offer to represent a famous athlete or movie star because I won’t allow
my values to get pushed aside for a big pay check. The law is the law.
The OJ Simpson case is an example. He is one of the only people in
history that has been acquitted of charges even with DNA evidence. I
know you are innocent until proven guilty, but can that really be a
coincidence? This situation is similar to a situation Drucker found
himself in, “… it clearly fitted my strengths… yet I did not see myself
making a contribution…. I had no money, no job, and no prospects. But I
quit-and it was the right thing.” (Drucker, 223) I’m not looking for
money in this life time I’m looking to help people and to better their
lives.
What kind of role do I seek as my career in business of other profession?
In my career of being a lawyer I would like to either be a partner in a
firm or own a firm and practice by myself. If I am a partner I would
like to be in the role of equal partnership, with equal
responsibilities. I might find myself being in charge of the finances
and books because I am looking at having a major in business which
would make me a candidate with the information I know. Also I am able
to work in high stress situations. “Another important thing to know
about how one performs is whether one performs well under stress, or
whether one needs a highly structured and predictable environment.”
(Drucker, 222) Being able to work under stressful situations would
allow me to not freak out if I have a hearing the next day and taxes or
bank statements are also due. I would be able to stay calm and under
control and finish both. If I ended up having my own practice I would
be in the roles of owner, manager, secretary, and many more. This
situation could run into some problems because, “And yet, one can only
perform with one’s strengths.” (Drucker, 218) This means that I might
be able to get by with not having strengths in every aspect of the
business (firm) but my business will suffer in the parts I am not
strong in. Another problem I could face would be time. “Yesterday’s
time is gone forever and will never come back. Time is, therefore,
always in exceedingly short supply.” (Drucker, 226) Trying to spread
myself over all the responsibilities of being the only person in my
firm would make me short on time and time is already short. My ideal
role would to be a partner and to have other people to help carry the
burden of the business so I don’t lose more time that is already in
short demand.
What do I believe I can contribute to society in that role?
I believe that if I am able to become a lawyer I can contribute to
society by following the law and helping people who need it. Drucker
spends time talking about finding you strengths, “People know what they
are not good at more often-and even there people are more often wrong
then right.” (Drucker, 218) One of my strengths is standing up for what
I believe in, no matter what the cost. This would be an important trait
to have being a lawyer, you need to truly believe in your client so you
can honestly stand up in court and speak the truth. For example I have
played softball since I was seven years old; I lived, breathed, and ate
the sport. I would do anything for my teammates or my coach. It was my
last home game on my high school team and my coach lied to me. Now, I
can take a lot from coaches they can yell, curse, scream at me and I
will continue to respect them, but once he lied to me, he crossed the
line. It killed me to leave my teammates behind but in matter in
principle. I could not play for a man that lied to my face and they all
knew that. I calmly removed my jersey, handed it to him and walked out
of the dugout. The last game of my senior year and I walked out because
of principle. I think knowing that I stand by my principles is
important to society because in these days it seems some principles get
lost in the form money. Drucker also says that “There is only one way
to find out [what your good at]: the feedback analysis.” (Drucker,
218) The feedback analysis is looking back at the choices you made and
seeing if what you chose you are good at or not. This whole process
will take time but I believe that I can look back and see whether or
not the choices I made are really what I am good at or it may turn out
that I am bad at it, I guess only time will tell.
Works Cited
Drucker, P.F., (2001). The Essential Drucker. New York: NY
