I might not know the full story, but the way a colleague shared your social profile ("I found Myatok!" on a 7-people chat) seems intentionally derogatory as if they were saying "I found Mya's dirty secret!" (them assuming it's a... dirty secret? and re-instating it by sharing it that way into a multi-people chat). I, like you and many other creators, have been in similar situations and I, like you, look up to many creators, but when it comes to my own content, I stay clear from defining myself as an "influencer". When I think of it, I find that disheartening: the word "influencer" has become so hurtful, when it shouldn't be.
I would never think less of an artist for selling 500K worth of artwork to a millionaire. Or of a chef for selling their dishes for a crazy amount of money. Or of the people at an advertising agency for selling us products with their creativity. We all fall into it, yet when it comes to influencers/content-creators/etc. everyone is quick to judge.
And perhaps I am wrong, but it seems to me that when people talk about "influencers" it is almost always referred to beauty and fashion influencers (e.g. for the majority, women or people who identify as).
In my opinion? Women are always the ones pushing for progress and perhaps there is a way to make these two parts of you live together. if it is something that lit you up then you deserve to have your cake, and eat it too.
Two things. First, employers really should not be looking at your social media (for a lot of reasons), but most definitely not during hiring. Most employers (I hope?) have social media policies. As long as your social media presence/use is in line with said policy, mainly isn’t interfering with work, and not violating rules of professional conduct, etc. there isn’t really anything “wrong” about it. Whether people think differently of you or “take you less seriously” haunts my brain too and always has. Even before tiktok or IG were what they are today. The farther I get from law school, the less I care what they think. The people who will take you less seriously, probably already do whether or not you post fucking amazing outfits. Second, I know so many lawyer influencers and love them all! just a few off the top of my head doing different stuff on social: Dillon White, Emily Amick, Reb Masel and You! This isn’t to say that it can’t have negative consequences and law school will scare you, but there are practicing attorneys out there with a social media presence. Me included. Embarrassed about it, yes. Then I think, wait there are more embarrassing things! Messing up your billing, being a married equity partner kissing 1st year female associates, male associate asking female associate if her belly is as flat as it was pre kids in the office, crying in court when a service dog comes in looking like your dog who just died. We think as women that we have to present a certain image to be taken seriously when really all we need to do is present our actual self. We aren’t hetero old white men and that’s kind of the point.
I was a practising lawyer for seven years while maintaining an online presence as a goofy cartoonist, and illustrating children's books. For the longest time I tried to keep it as secret as possible for the same reasons as you, but I was surprised that the more I put my authentic self out there, the more positively people responded.
I did Legal Aid family law at a small firm, and my coworkers were my biggest supporters and champions. If I had ended up at a big firm, it's entirely possible that the hierarchy would've shamed me into squashing that part of myself. I think you attract the community that you need. Law (especially public interest law) is a people business, and so is your social media - it's unsurprising that you are drawn to excel at both, and I think your people will see the value in that. Cheering for you!
I might not know the full story, but the way a colleague shared your social profile ("I found Myatok!" on a 7-people chat) seems intentionally derogatory as if they were saying "I found Mya's dirty secret!" (them assuming it's a... dirty secret? and re-instating it by sharing it that way into a multi-people chat). I, like you and many other creators, have been in similar situations and I, like you, look up to many creators, but when it comes to my own content, I stay clear from defining myself as an "influencer". When I think of it, I find that disheartening: the word "influencer" has become so hurtful, when it shouldn't be.
I would never think less of an artist for selling 500K worth of artwork to a millionaire. Or of a chef for selling their dishes for a crazy amount of money. Or of the people at an advertising agency for selling us products with their creativity. We all fall into it, yet when it comes to influencers/content-creators/etc. everyone is quick to judge.
And perhaps I am wrong, but it seems to me that when people talk about "influencers" it is almost always referred to beauty and fashion influencers (e.g. for the majority, women or people who identify as).
In my opinion? Women are always the ones pushing for progress and perhaps there is a way to make these two parts of you live together. if it is something that lit you up then you deserve to have your cake, and eat it too.
D, a long-time fan x
Two things. First, employers really should not be looking at your social media (for a lot of reasons), but most definitely not during hiring. Most employers (I hope?) have social media policies. As long as your social media presence/use is in line with said policy, mainly isn’t interfering with work, and not violating rules of professional conduct, etc. there isn’t really anything “wrong” about it. Whether people think differently of you or “take you less seriously” haunts my brain too and always has. Even before tiktok or IG were what they are today. The farther I get from law school, the less I care what they think. The people who will take you less seriously, probably already do whether or not you post fucking amazing outfits. Second, I know so many lawyer influencers and love them all! just a few off the top of my head doing different stuff on social: Dillon White, Emily Amick, Reb Masel and You! This isn’t to say that it can’t have negative consequences and law school will scare you, but there are practicing attorneys out there with a social media presence. Me included. Embarrassed about it, yes. Then I think, wait there are more embarrassing things! Messing up your billing, being a married equity partner kissing 1st year female associates, male associate asking female associate if her belly is as flat as it was pre kids in the office, crying in court when a service dog comes in looking like your dog who just died. We think as women that we have to present a certain image to be taken seriously when really all we need to do is present our actual self. We aren’t hetero old white men and that’s kind of the point.
I was a practising lawyer for seven years while maintaining an online presence as a goofy cartoonist, and illustrating children's books. For the longest time I tried to keep it as secret as possible for the same reasons as you, but I was surprised that the more I put my authentic self out there, the more positively people responded.
I did Legal Aid family law at a small firm, and my coworkers were my biggest supporters and champions. If I had ended up at a big firm, it's entirely possible that the hierarchy would've shamed me into squashing that part of myself. I think you attract the community that you need. Law (especially public interest law) is a people business, and so is your social media - it's unsurprising that you are drawn to excel at both, and I think your people will see the value in that. Cheering for you!