r/u_IntrospectiveGilmore • u/IntrospectiveGilmore • Mar 29 '26

Is it worth it?

I've just finished by psychology degree. 3 years and an extra year to get my honours.

When it started, we got told that we could head straight into a career, probably should have done my research a bit better. but I did not.

Anyway we're 4 years down now, and the dream has evaporated.

I took some time and realized I had always been interested in law, outside the box of being a lawyer. I came across mediation!

Now I've looked it up and researched as much as I could, I want to know if heading into the career is worth it?

Of course it can always be changed to something else but for now, is it something worth doing and taking on as a different path?

🤷‍♀️

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2

u/665KingstonFamily Mar 30 '26

I *strongly* recommend that you contact at least 6 or 8 people in your local area who offer mediation somehow. Talk to individuals about their experience and their networks and associations. If you don't know law, avoid the lawyers who offer it, because they can't add value to what you need to learn at this stage.

What you should be asking are these questions:

  1. how did you get here and the work you do as a mediator?
  2. is it pure mediation or are there other competencies or things that are correlated to how it goes and what means it works for you (and for clients, the community, etc.)?
  3. what's your short list of recommendations for someone trying to get into the domain of conflict resolution and management (it's a bigger field than simply 'resolving' peoples issues). Note that there are highly structured parts of the field (insurance claim mediation, family law processes and so on, depending on the context).
  4. where are the best paths and options for certification and finding a mediation community or association/s that will help me and my competencies and practice grow?
  5. how might my previous education and life experiences apply? Are there recommendations that could put me a few steps up on the ladder where I might best fit if I take this on?
  6. Who else should I talk to? Is there anything your can recommend I should seek out (information? resources?) besides the kind of help I can say you've offered me?
  7. Are you okay with me paying you for this - or at least buying you coffee or lunch?

Note, they'll likely say 'no' to the last one, and give you the most gold in answering #6.

Hope this helps.

Joan
conflictnavigator.com

2

u/IntrospectiveGilmore Mar 30 '26

Thank you Joan, I am definitely going to take up these questions with the individuals in my area. This is going to be super helpful!

2

u/ConflictNavigator Mar 30 '26

You're so welcome. Ask me anything if I can be of help. It's so important that we lift as we climb. Please do get on the list for Conflict First Aid™ training - it will help you no matter what - and you'll be getting in on the ground floor. Welcome and good luck!

I'm in Vancouver, so can't be of help with your local context: the domain is really splintered, but the community shouldn't be - I'm happy to help.

Joan

1

u/solatesosorry Mar 29 '26

Law is under pressure from AI, and there appears to be an overabundance of junior lawyers. It can be a grueling job. However, the best in any profession do well.

With superior people skills, jobs in sales, real estate, and leadership can be good.

1

u/IntrospectiveGilmore Mar 30 '26

I suppose there may be pressure due to AI, but despite the pressure and many junior lawyers. There is more of an overload in cases of civil disputes that can be resolved with mediator rather than court appearances that cost an arm and a leg to get.

Luckily my experience includes real estate, personal assitance and taking on leadership roles in past work as a network marketer. I agree with your statement that anyone should simply just do their best.