First ask yourself whether you re motivated more by a wish to leave your particular firm or private practice to escape a negative situation, or by a lure to join the Gold Rush, the thrilling new economy that will define your generation. If your firm doesn t have a strong new media practice that will allow you to feel part of this brave new world, perhaps a lateral move to another firm that does might solve the problem Being an associate can be both boring and stressful, so the temptation to jump off the back bench into the fire is understandable, but not necessarily smart. But recognize that running a legal department takes experience so know what you re getting into before leaving your firm. You may miss the mentoring of seasoned attorneys who can help you further your career. Dot coms are looking for people who are flexible, open to change and able to shift strategies constantly, team players who buy in to the excitement and potential, says Challenger.
Energy fuels a start-up where time is everything.
You spend a lot of late hours with your coworkers, often in close quarters without walls or cubicles, so you get to know each other quickly. As a former editor in chief who d enjoyed a private office with cherrywood desk, cabinets, and conference table, initially I found it hard to adjust to a small IKEA desk without drawers and a total lack of privacy. In our open loft, it was difficult to keep our small personal triumphs quiet, or to hide our bad days, frustrations or total meltdowns under pressure. So team members were really aware when anyone needed support. Most of us were adapting to a new environment, with lesser structure than we were used to, so there was a lot of camaraderie.