Assertive or Unfriendly?

[BrainyBeauty]

Perfectionism. Aye, there's the rub!

Mischka:

Welcome to the board! Here's another hypothesis: An all male panel of judges may have been trying to appear politically correct (UGH) and not come across as being patronizing or sexually attracted to a pretty, intelligent woman.

Or, playing devil's advocate here, they may have been searching for something, anything, to sully your reputation. You stated that you are in a male dominated field. It used to be, but it has been reported that women now far outnumber men in law school admissions and graduation rates. Perhaps they are intimidated by that and resentful?

Or perhaps it is nothing. Maybe you are just like so many of the rest of us poor slobs who are harder on ourselves than anyone else and question and nit-pick every detail looking for answers as to how the world perceives us. Not to worry, it's called being human!

And that trait alone will stand you in good stead when you hang up your shingle and take on clients.

 

[TN_Vixen]

Mischka

I have yet to go through law school, although I will do that eventually... in Undergrad I was a pre-law major and performed in many area "mock trial" competitions and I'll just say this.. You're treading a fine line. It is very difficult for women (especially what're considered "attractive") women to compete in this field. Siren speaks the truth when she says that the field of law has yet to break out of the "old boy's club" type of thinking and move forward even considering the statistics of new law students being primarily female.

If you smile too much or show your femininity too much, you aren't considered seriously and if you do the opposite you are chastised for your lack of ... whatever they choose to blame it on. I ran into this time and time again in my studies and in my competitions. The women who were "plain" and yet professional were granted the high honors. Those who had a level of attractiveness about them but yet performed in the same type of professional manner were disregarded. It is bias and it is real.

Just be you and be comfortable in being you. If being you is to show femininity, then do so as long as you realize how you are perceived. And perception is everything in the long run, isn't it? No one can predict how someone will perceive us, that is an area in which we cannot control, but we can be *aware* of the general perception in a particular field or environment and adjust to that mindset in order to have those people perceive us in the most flattering light.

good luck to you and your studies. I have a feeling that you'll go very far!

 

[Blackbich]

Hi Mischka!!!

I have to agree with WH on this one. I've paid attention to your posts and you appear to be very intelligent. If, during your mock trial, you were confident in your material and knew what you were doing - the judges HAD to come up with something! The fact that other students in the class didn't think you weren't friendly speaks volumes. I'd just take it as a lesson learned.

And, when are you graduating law school again?