The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/43128
ASK THE VENDOR What has helped launch and support your career path? Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone name ......................... . Gina Buser company ............ . Traveling Coaches, Inc. website .......... .www.travelingcoaches.com I started my legal career over 25 years ago in a small law firm through a co-op program in high school. That program taught me some valuable lessons that helped me successfully navigate a career inside law firms for nearly 10 years before co-founding Traveling Coaches in 1995. Over the course of my career, I've become a strong believer in looking for opportunities to learn and grow, and I try to be proactive and intentional about finding those opportunities. One thing that has proven successful for me is stepping out of my comfort zone and volunteering for different projects that allow me to learn about my peers, bosses and direct reports. I find that the more I understand about their passions, strengths and responsibilities, the better I am able to connect with them and speak to their needs. Another critical component to my career success has been networking with peers in other organizations and other 30 www.iltanet.org Peer to Peer service providers. Networking has allowed me to share ideas and learn from the experiences of others, and I've found that when I intentionally go out of my way to make introductions and provide helpful information to others, I receive referrals and other critical information when I need it the most. Networks can be powerful things — especially when you follow the rule to "give more than you receive." Above all, the most significant element in launching and supporting my career path has been in setting annual personal and professional goals for myself. The balance between personal and professional is important and helps alleviate some of the burnout that many of us (in the legal community) face over the years. Also, breaking my annual goals into quarterly and monthly goals keeps me even more motivated and on track, with smaller and more frequent achievements. And I always try to take the time to celebrate when I accomplish one of my goals, as celebration fuels me for my next goal completion. My career is a collection of 25 years' worth of goals and small celebrations. Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, once pointed out, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." I've tried to look ahead at the destination, and then I've chosen the roads and companion travelers to help get me there. ILTA