Why I Changed My Career Path Why I Want to Be a Lawyer

¶ … trudged through the mud, which caked up around the soles of my new shoes. The uphill climb wasn't strenuous on the legs, but the afternoon sun zapped every last ounce of my already waning energy; I hadn't eaten a thing all day. James, a realtor with whom I worked regularly at Capital Pacific Homes, told me, "You have got to see this place! It'll blow you away!" As James wasn't normally prone to histrionics, I came with him to visit one of the new homes we had recently placed on the market. It figures, I thought, that we would choose one of the most remote spots in the sun- and saguaro-drenched valley to erect another Green Home.

I had only been working as Marketing Coordinator with Capital Pacific for a few months when I realized how strong the market demand was for ecologically sound, sustainable building practices. Especially in places like Northern Arizona, where the parched earth belies the absence of natural sources of water, new residents tend to not take for granted the need to conserve energy. Furthermore, the tendency toward libertarianism and self-sufficiency drives many Arizona residents to construct homes that enable them to depend as little as possible on city or state resources. In fact, some of our more radical customers, including the man who designed and commissioned the home James and I were about to see, wanted to live completely "off the grid."

Well? There it is!" James' statement startled me out of my reverie. Before me, the cerulean sky showed off the spectacular lavender-colored mountain backdrop dotted with cactus silhouettes. The partially-unfinished domicile blended in with its surrounds; the ochre-colored wall siding perfectly complemented the soil, which in this part of the state was surprisingly moist. The customer had obviously researched locations thoroughly, as this house sat on a prime piece of real estate. James reminded me that ground water here was quite abundant and pure and that the customer had created an advanced irrigation system for his planned garden as well as a small facility to reclaim water. The solar panels on the roof reflected the sunlight, which from this hilltop felt gentler and less harsh than it had while we trekked up the hill. James led me through the grounds, pointing out this and that about the remarkable, revolutionary construction and design, paying special attention to the means by which the homeowner would harness natural energy rather than relying on the nuclear power plant. The crowning glory for me was the small geodesic dome on the property; perhaps a guest quarters, said James.

While I interned with the EPA, I approached Green Building from an advertiser's perspective, as I got my start in that field. In fact, as I admired the home that James took me to that day, I briefly slipped into advertising mode and envisioned the real estate brochures that would boast the features of this Green Home. However, since working with a real estate firm I have applied my creative energies toward investigating the intricacies of building, buying, and selling houses and other buildings. As so many real estate transactions become bogged down by building codes, economic barriers, deed and titular issues, and increasingly more environmental codes, I become fascinated with Real Estate Law, which is why I now seek a law degree. I intend to bridge the two worlds I am currently a part of: the business of real estate and the business of environmental protection, improvement, and sustainability.

With a law degree I can mediate between environmental and real estate laws to bolster and support the budding Green Building industry. In addition to assisting real estate firms to work within sound environmental guidelines, I also plan on affecting public policy regarding real estate and the environment. With my law degree I can therefore bridge the sometimes wide gap between the construction industry and environmental organizations and agencies. Moreover, with my advertising background, know-how and finesse, I can present and sell my ideas to local, state, and even national agencies.

I believe I have the potential to positively impact both the fields of law and environmental policy, but I will need to approach these dreams one step at a time, first by becoming bar certified and second by obtaining a real estate license. Whether I end up working for a private company, a non-profit NGO, or a governmental agency, I am confident that I will help create positive policy changes and assist individuals and businesses in understanding and working with the laws governing real estate, construction, and sustainability. My familiarity with the day-to-day workings of the EPA and local real estate firms has offered me a firm foundation from which to build a unique and rewarding career spanning these two seemingly disparate but increasingly interrelated areas.