Vicki Huebner is the Director of Online Legal Programs and an Adjunct Professor at Santa Clara University School of law. She is also the founder of Upskilled Canines, a dog training business. Vicki spent a number of years in litigation, from a clerkship, to a big firm, to a smaller firm. She realized that practice did not light her up the way she saw it do for some people she worked with. On somewhat of a whim, she took an opportunity to work in career services at a law school. 25 years later, she’s still working in higher education. But, she has simultaneously pursued her real passion for dog training and started her own business. She figured why wait until retirement to start doing what she really loves.
In this episode, we discuss:
Vicki’s parents had pushed her towards law as a stable and lucrative career
Vicki’s practice ranged from a clerkship, to BigLaw litigation, to small firm litigation
Vicki saw the partners at the small firm be so passionate about the work and having fun
That’s when she realized law practice was probably just not her thing
Somewhat serendipitously, Vicki came across a job in law school career services
Although it was a bit of an impulsive move and Vicki thought she might return to practice in some form, she’s now 25 years into higher education
She enjoys the scholarly environment
At some point, Vicki felt she was outgrowing career services, but was able to pivot to a more strategic area of the law school in online program development
Vicki realized she liked the business strategy and operations, which is what she’d liked from the small firm
Higher education can be very slow to evolve and bureaucratic
Vicki followed her passion for dogs and started training them and volunteering at the humane society
Her natural talent for dog training came through, and she now has a small side business
Lawyer’s Escape Plan Quiz: http://bit.ly/lawyersescaperoutequiz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansmileyesq/
Anne-Marie Rabago on solo practice and legal incubators
Kate Bridal on Escaping Burnout and Embracing A Winding Career
Sejal Thakkar goes from employment lawyer to workplace culture consultant
April Roberts on embracing adaptability: Navigating multiple career and life transitions
Laura Terrell on intentionally navigating your legal career
Emily Witt on legal recruiting and career evolution
How to start climbing the right success ladder
Leah Campbell Badertscher leaves law to be an artist and creativity coach
What the Woo? A Chat with Chiara Woods
Dorna Moini leaves BigLaw to build a legal tech start-up
Given the time commitment and uncertainty, is entrepreneurship worth it?
Janelle Christian leaves BigLaw to build her dream life and business
What coaching actually involves and if it’s for you
Age & Authenticity: Work, Life and Style After 40
Using new school year energy to jumpstart your next chapter
A New Paradigm for Success
Kristen Gyolai combines law and entrepreneurship
Lauren Kay teaches us about Human Design and creating a portfolio career
Mary Adkins leaves BigLaw litigation to become a novelist
From partner to entrepreneur: Embracing your second act
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Reaching your Goals
Insights@work
Per My Last Email
The Wall Street Skinny
The Ken Coleman Show