Career Change in the Time of AI: When to Get Out

Professional anonymous network Reddit consists of informative, caring communities. So many of the subreddits call it as it is about what career paths are over as AI takes over - or soon will. For example, ones focused on freelance writing, graphic design and public relations warn that, with the exception of the strategists on top, that train has left the station. So, do a career shift.

Yet, the Big Law subreddit primarily deals with the usual professional matters such as shaking loose more hours from seniors and partners, the tradeoffs in going in-house and conjuring up the stamina for all-nighters which happen too frequently.

Not that the word isn't out there that Big Law and most of other parts of doing law are shrinking in demand for manpower and that chunks of the work are evolving into commodities. All because of AI, as well as cost-efficiency. Last March Paul, Weiss and this past December Sullivan and Cromwell projected that. 

So, where is the caring on Reddit and more for the future of lawyers? Shouldn't there be documented presentations of the unemployment in store for them? Not only in law-related work but in many other sectors. As The Great Recession was taking hold junior lawyers and partners who exited early - that is before being laid off or fired - had good outcomes in landing work that paid well. Those who hung on wound up entering a job market glutted with talent of all sorts. I know. I coached some of them. They even struggled to be hired for low-paying non-legal jobs.

My hunch is that the current golden age of Big Law has distracted from the future shift in the Law of Supply and Demand. 

Billing rates are up. Stars at elite firms can bill the $3,000 hour. Who doesn't figure: I can get there too. If I just hang on. The lucrative practices of M&A and Private Equity have roared back. In preparation Paul, Weiss recently poached 20 partners from Kirkland & Ellis, Latham and more. A junior might connect the dots and figure if they can get on Apollo accounts at Paul, Weiss, they might sail into partnership.

Those assumptions are all-too-human. Weekly in my coaching, professionals from all generations come to me for a complimentary consultation. They ask how they can beat the odds and hold on to their careers decimated by AI - or get back in. 

I project those in law who assume they will not only hold on but thrive will also be coming to me, as Sullivan and Cromwell forecasts, in two to 10 years. They fear unemployment or are already out in the cold.

The issue is that it is very hard to make the decision to get out. What experience shows, though, is this: There is an edge in pulling the plug before the forced exit of so much talent. The labor market isn't so crowded with those with certain skills which can be transferrable to other ways to make a good living.

Four years ago, prior to the current AI-generated carnage, I got out of content-creation. I had, you might say, the pick of the litter in other lines of work. Now, many of those who tried to hang in can't even land survival employment. 

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we reprogram your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

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