Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 26

FEATURE
THANKS
FOR THE
NO
Finding Value
in Rejection
By Kenya Rothstein
T
hank you for saying no. This was a mantra I told
myself in law school, and it has stayed with
me to this day. It's a reminder that even when
I feel like situations are falling apart because
they are not going according to my plan, they are
actually working out better than I could have ever
imagined.
It all started when I did not get my dream job right out of law school.
I had been waiting for months to hear back after applying, and when
I finally did, there was certainly not an offer being presented. When
I got that rejection letter, I was so upset. How could I not be offered the
job? What did I do wrong? Why didn't they like me? Why wasn't I good
enough? What could I have done better? What if I answered that question
better? What if I did this? What if I did that? My mind was racing with
negative thoughts, and I had no idea what I was going to do instead.
Riddled with disappointment, I had to find another way to look at and
process the rejection. I spoke to numerous mentors and others who
26 WASHINGTON LAWYER
* JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
were further along in their legal careers about their experiences getting
jobs. Most everyone's journey had a common theme: Their careers took
many unexpected twists and turns. One person thought they would
work for the government, yet they ended up at a private firm. Another
thought they would work at a large law firm but landed at a small firm
instead. Yet another thought they would specialize in entertainment law,
and they became in-house counsel for a farming company. But today,
looking back on their paths, everyone I spoke to was happy with how
their careers turned out. Down the road, all the bumps evened out and
led them to a career they were proud of.
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
Their stories gave me a little hope. I decided to turn my negative
thoughts about not getting my dream job into something positive.
Instead of ruminating on the disappointment, I started thinking, " Something
better is out there for me; I just need to find it. How can I take this
as an opportunity to grow? One day I'll be glad I didn't get this job ...
one day I'll be saying thank you for saying no. " I found this narrative
helpful as I applied for other positions.
Upon reflection, I realized that even though it felt like everything was
falling apart in that moment, it was actually working out. Yes, I did not
Images: iStock

Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025

Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025
From Our President
Calendar of Events
Practice Management
Toward Well-Being
Making the Case for Civility
Chief Judge Milton Lee Gavels for Service
How to Master the Art of Bringing in Business
Life in Law: A Balancing Act
Honoring Your Humanity While Practicing Law
Thanks for the No: Finding Value in Rejection
Special Section: CLE Abroad
Taking the Stand
Member Spotlight
Newly Minted
Attorney Briefs
Worth Reading
Speaking of Ethics
Disciplinary Summaries
The Pro Bono Effect
A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Cover2
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 1
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 2
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 3
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 4
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 5
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - From Our President
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Calendar of Events
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Practice Management
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Toward Well-Being
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Making the Case for Civility
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 11
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 12
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 13
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Chief Judge Milton Lee Gavels for Service
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 15
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - How to Master the Art of Bringing in Business
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 17
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Life in Law: A Balancing Act
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 19
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 20
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 21
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Honoring Your Humanity While Practicing Law
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 23
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 24
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 25
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Thanks for the No: Finding Value in Rejection
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 27
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 28
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 29
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Special Section: CLE Abroad
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 31
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Taking the Stand
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 33
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Member Spotlight
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 35
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Newly Minted
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Attorney Briefs
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Worth Reading
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 39
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Speaking of Ethics
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 41
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Disciplinary Summaries
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 43
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - The Pro Bono Effect
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 45
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 46
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 47
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Cover3
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Cover4
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