[Author’s note: In past columns, I’ve asked interviewees to focus on work-related lessons they learned, and advice they would like to share with young attorneys. This conversation was different. Nadine Strossen, who served as president of the ACLU from 1991 through 2008, is professor emerita of constitutional law at New York Law School, and is now a full-time advocate of free speech. I asked her to talk about issues that are—or at least should be—of particular interest to recent college and law school graduates.]
When you asked me how I wound up doing what I’m doing, I realized I never had any grand master plan at an earlier stage in my life. And that’s the advice I always give to younger people who ask me about career plans. I think it is unrealistic to have some master plan at such a young age. Just having a specific goal in mind—something you can aim for—is more realistic.
