Josh Ferguson leaves legislative practice to be a stay-at-home dad

My guest today is Josh Ferguson, a Research Consultant at Common Good, a government reform think tank. Josh practiced at a firm for a few years, then moved into legislative work at the Maryland State House, which he loved (making him a little bit of a different case than some of my other guests). But, with a baby on the way, his wife got a new job in a new city. They wanted one of them to stay home with the kids, so as it shook out - Josh decided to leave practice to be a stay-at-home dad for 12 years. There are so many different paths you can take - even in a household with two former lawyers and a pile of law school debt. And if and when it’s time to change, just know that you’ll be able to handle it. 

• Some people actually enjoy practicing
• Life can intervene to change your path
• Living somewhere more affordable opens up a lot of options for alternatives that pay less
• Leaving practice to become a stay-at-home dad
• Coordinating careers, family, and location
• Nothing is permanent. If you change things up and it doesn’t work, just change things again
• Letting go of the idea of being a lawyer opens up options
• Law school and practicing build so many transferable skills
• Think of your law degree as a selling point to open up opportunities, not as handcuffs
• Jumping back into the job market after 12 years at home with kids has its challenges
• Always leverage your network
• Think creatively about pitching yourself to new jobs in new industries

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