“I’m currently doing my lawyer’s internship in a law firm specialized in the rights of foreigners. I always wanted to become a lawyer, since I can remember. Trying to convince others using strong arguments is something I’m passionate about. I really enjoy human contact, being able to immerse myself in a story. And being able to carry the voice of those who don’t necessarily have the tools to plead their case.

But it’s not really going like the way I imagined it. I thought that after studies I’d be only taking pleasure in learning the trade. But the work load is really big, and the expectations are very high. And it’s normal because we’re working with people’s lives, we can’t afford to make a mistake. But honestly, I can’t find the balance between professional and private life at all. I start really early, finish really late, I work on Saturdays, and on Sundays I spend my time thinking about how Monday will be. I have to admit I’m often in a bad mood when I get home. And all this time I spend at the office is time I spend away from my family. My mother is sick now, and it hurts me not being able to support her as much as I would like to.

I always thought that my professional life would be what is most important. But now, realizing it will certainly be at the expense of my personal life, I’m asking myself a lot of questions. I’d like to have my own firm, or take over the firm of someone else. But I’d also like to have children. And I’m wondering how I’ll be able to reconcile the two. Will I have to make a concession? It’s quite complicated for a woman, even in the 21st century.

In the end, if I had to make a choice, I think I’d chose to have a family life. It’s nice to have a profession, and to practice it, but if in the end you can’t enjoy and grow with the people you live… I don’t think it would make much sense. But life is full of surprises! First, I’m going to finish what I started, and then we’ll see!”

(Quai des Bergues | translated from French)