Got into Fed Regulator but not Happy

[Anonymous]

After a few jobs out of law school, I finally landed at a finreg attorney. The only thing that drew me was the increased pay and benefits. I am realizing that I am depressed, and I think a lot of it has to do with my day to day job. Feels like Groundhog day every day yet its stressful as well. I do feel very grateful that I got this position, but I am depressed. I can get some enjoyment in finishing to-do lists, and finishing the day, but I don't derive any enjoyment beyond completion of a to do list item.

I am considering doing a non-legal role or a totally new area of law within the finreg, but I think deep down I know I won't enjoy being an attorney anywhere. Or, am I just experiencing what is the norm for most adults at their jobs, and to appreciate what I do have. I just feel like the years are passing by and I'm just stuck in a job where the only enjoyment is finishing to do lists.

[Anonymous]

You at fdic?

[Anonymous]

If you at FDIC then I'd urge you to try to lateral to a different organization before giving up on either FinReg or law. I keep hearing stories about FDIC that make me cringe.

[Anonymous]

+10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After a few jobs out of law school, I finally landed at a finreg attorney. The only thing that drew me was the increased pay and benefits. I am realizing that I am depressed, and I think a lot of it has to do with my day to day job. Feels like Groundhog day every day yet its stressful as well. I do feel very grateful that I got this position, but I am depressed. I can get some enjoyment in finishing to-do lists, and finishing the day, but I don't derive any enjoyment beyond completion of a to do list item.

I am considering doing a non-legal role or a totally new area of law within the finreg, but I think deep down I know I won't enjoy being an attorney anywhere. Or, am I just experiencing what is the norm for most adults at their jobs, and to appreciate what I do have. I just feel like the years are passing by and I'm just stuck in a job where the only enjoyment is finishing to do lists.

I think most people feel very unfulfilled in their job. You don’t have a boss threatening to fire you or making it toxic? You don’t work long hours? You are already ahead of 80% of adults.

[Anonymous]

I interviewed with a couple groups at the SEC for lawyer positions. I thought several people seemed depressed. Like full on slurring words and stained clothes depressed. It was weird.

[Anonymous]

There are some real wierdos at the FDIC..
just sayin…

Good folk who want to work there can’t. Too toxic

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you’re not happy because you applied for a position with a financial regulator only because of the increased pay and benefits? It seems that people are drawn to these agencies for that reason, rather than being inspired by the mission. You would make less at a regular agency, but perhaps there’s something elsewhere in government that would inspire you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps you’re not happy because you applied for a position with a financial regulator only because of the increased pay and benefits? It seems that people are drawn to these agencies for that reason, rather than being inspired by the mission. You would make less at a regular agency, but perhaps there’s something elsewhere in government that would inspire you?

+1. This board seems obsessed with finregs but if you're not actually interested in the work they do, you shouldn't go to one of them. Isn't the point of leaving biglaw to find more fulfilling work?

[Anonymous]

Isnt anything more fulfilling than biglaw work?

[Anonymous]

I mean, you get paid for work because it isn’t something you would do for free.

Find your self-worth somewhere else and do your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, you get paid for work because it isn’t something you would do for free.

Find your self-worth somewhere else and do your job.

Better is to get paid for something you’d do for free. Keep searching.

[Anonymous]

What were your other lawyer jobs and did you like them or not?

For me, I worked in legal services (very low paid and working with destitute people can be sad), the AG (goog people but litigation isn't my thing), biglaw (stressful, hated it) and finally govt. The govt job is ok, I neither love it nor hate it but it is very flexible which allows me to be an involved dad and for now that's the most important thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps you’re not happy because you applied for a position with a financial regulator only because of the increased pay and benefits? It seems that people are drawn to these agencies for that reason, rather than being inspired by the mission. You would make less at a regular agency, but perhaps there’s something elsewhere in government that would inspire you?

+1 This is worth exploring in your situation. There are many people who could be finreg but choose not to for this reason.

[Anonymous]

How old are you?

I think some people were raised - and our society often preaches this - that you are supposed to be fulfilled by and/or passionate about your job.

This isn't realistic for most people.

Some people get lucky and manage to fall into a career that they love or are passionate about.

But most of the time, work is called work and they pay you because it is work.

It's ok to have a job that you don't love, as long as it isn't toxic - like you are not being physically/emotionally harmed by it.

I think you should adjust your expectations, keep doing your job, and keep your ear to the ground for other things.

I would also consider talking to a therapist about your anxiety. Maybe you are just an anxious person and your job is not the main factor in causing that.