Sabbatical, the End.
35 lessons learned along the way.
I started a new chapter as a music & entertainment lawyer. I’ve been very busy, but I probably learned more substance in 2 weeks than the past few years trying to self-study this field.
Now it’s a job I wanted since I was in college, but there’s much more to do ahead as I build my career and dive deeper into the industry. I got my foot in the door, but it’s complicated.
I used to be enamored by fancy titles, fame, big cities, and $$$. I’m not saying those things aren’t totally important to me, but I realized that I must see the big picture.
Where will I be in 5-10 years? 20 years? How do I build a lasting career and wealth in unpredictable times? What are the specialty skills I will continue to develop, and can I back up my talk and title with the work?
I can’t just bypass diligence and work. I hope to stay grounded and calm in my approach as the tasks and responsibilities get greater in my 30s.
I realize I said that the next piece was supposed to be regular programming. There’s a K-pop related piece I was working on (which was accepted as a pitch by a media outlet), but I needed to postpone it. Perhaps it’ll get to see the light soon but I’ll post it here if too much time elapses.
My 2024
I left my previous job near the end of 2023. Once the thought of “what am I doing here?” kicked in, I knew something was not going right. My bosses were supportive of my soul-seeking journey and gladly served as references. However, I was a bit overconfident that I could find what I wanted quickly. Couple that with the uncertain job market in 2023-24, I ended up taking a whole year to find my next role.
At the time I was very interested in a certain role, either going in-house in media/tech or doing something called “technology transactions & licensing” - I thought it would be a means to an end. But in hindsight, I don’t think I was ever crazy about tech work. I’m still fascinated by tech and think we should pay attention. I had worked in Big Tech before law school and thought it’d be the next logical step to have a solid resume block, enter safer exit opportunities, and eventually do something in entertainment anyway.
Unfortunately, the tech market was doing poorly during this time, with plenty of layoffs - this meant law firms weren’t aggressively hiring tech attorneys. I also think we’re going to see a major change in the legal industry in the next 5 years as to recruitment, efficiency, and more, but will share thoughts on that later. In 2024 law school applications were up 35% from 2023! WTF?
But anyways, I was trying to convince myself that was the right path despite a down economy, when I didn’t necessarily have to go there.
In December ‘23, I had set a goal for myself - get a job by Spring ‘24 and move on with my life. So that didn’t happen right away. As time went on though, I realized that a time like this may never come again once I got back to the grind. With that, I started to feel grateful for the things I already had and accomplished:
Writing here on WooskiWrites
Writing for other platforms
Read 20+ books
Volunteering at a church soup kitchen
Volunteering at a pro bono legal clinic
Mentoring underclassmen
Seeking mentorship from experienced attorneys
Cold messaging alumni to seek inspiration
Seeking resume and interview help
Re-connecting with old colleagues
Co-starting wine networking events
Solo attending networking events
Meeting investors, founders, trade organizations, writers, and artists
[Re]studying concepts on corporate law, finance, entertainment and tech
Finding physical wellness and community through Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Practicing mindfulness with meditation, prayer, and self-reflection
Manifesting happiness, the job, and future I wanted
I’m probably forgetting a few things, but it was a lot.
Through this process, I learned what I was good at and what I wanted to do. As it turned out, I already had the foundational skills. I just needed to find the right motivation and context to apply them.
Even if the work I was doing before didn’t seem relevant to me at the time, there was a way to leverage my experiences as building blocks to reach my big picture goals. Of course, I wish I had known that earlier, but I had to step away from the system to realize it.
I also thought a lot about people, community, and where I stand amongst them.
I share with you the 35 lessons I learned on the path to getting what I wanted for a long time.
The 35 Lessons:
I. Crisis and Change
Crises come without warning, and we never know when they will end.
I might get lucky, but nothing is purely easy. I can’t always seek the easy way out.
Identify what I can control and let go of what I can’t.
Avoid over-planning the future too rigidly—stay open-minded, as many variables will arise.
When ambition and vision overflow, take a step back and assess reality calmly.
Don’t lose hope and courage toward my goals, but also avoid excessive obsession or overcommitment.
Don’t cling to past choices—new opportunities will always come.
II. Career and Growth
There may be jobs that fit me well, but nothing is guaranteed. Be open-minded.
The things I deliberately avoided might actually be interesting and valuable.
Even if I feel like my job is useless or frustrating, it might become useful someday.
Being a lawyer (or any job, TBH) requires continuous learning and research. Even veterans are still learning as they go. Keep going.
I can’t predict others’ career paths, nor can I fully understand their decisions.
Law school, writing a book, moving to NYC, and BigLaw—all happened in less than 5 years. Life is long, so don’t be impatient.
III. Relationships and Networking
When in trouble, good people around me will help if I ask. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
Regularly seek advice from those who have done it before or walked a similar path.
Don’t dwell on problems alone—talk them out with family, a partner, or trusted friends.
Even those whom I assume have nothing in common with me may have something interesting to share.
Networking connections will continue to expand, but true friendships remain limited.
I don’t have to treat everyone with utmost care, but showing basic kindness and respect may lead to valuable connections later.
IV. Personal Mindset
Don’t stress over what my friends might think—true friends will want to help and listen.
Dive deep into what I’m passionate about, and share my thoughts with the world.
Saying “I can do this” and “Everything will work out” OUT LOUD is much more powerful than I think.
If my mind is vulnerable or weak, my body will show symptoms.
When nervous, don’t talk more or faster—speak slower and stay composed.
Let go of myself and allow positive inspirations and influences to shape me.
There’s still so much to learn and improve. Reputation and recognition will follow, and many people will seek me out eventually.
Have confidence in what I have achieved and the skills I possess.
If I don’t believe in myself, they won’t either.
V. Life Perspective and Values
Letting go is only possible once I find daily gratitude.
Wealth is not just built from a salary, but also from regular investing & spending habits.
There is no need to obsess over what others my age are doing. I create my own path.
Don’t deny or fear life’s uncertainties—acknowledge and embrace them.
The people who are meant to be in my life will naturally find their way to me.
Find value in the journey to happiness, not in itself.
Do not underestimate luck and its role in success.
And on to the next chapter!
Originally I wrote these lessons in Korean and they probably flow better in Korean. Maybe someday I’ll write the Korean version somewhere.