Find What You Love
“There are too many jobs in the world to be stuck in a profession you hate. Find what you love.” That is what Sarena Straus, General Counsel & Chief of Compliance for Virtual Incentives & fiction author advised when she came to my studio for her headshot.
“I enjoy doing a variety of things. Writing is more than a hobby; it’s another profession. I wasn’t raised in a family that stuck with one thing. My father is a physician, a writer & an art gallery owner. My mom is an educator, writer & the co-founder & director of HV MoCA in Peekskill, NY.
From the time I was two years old, my dad told me I was going to be a lawyer because I had argumentative qualities. Of course, I’d argue & say, ‘No, I’m not.’ I ended up with dual majors in art history & political science for my undergrad degrees.
During college, I got an acting job with Columbia Law School playing a foster child getting out of the system. It was then I had an epiphany. Lawyers could work in many different fields, not just in law firms. I also found out my father had been physically abused as a child. That led me straight to criminal law.
In my early career, I worked at the Bronx District Attorney’s office as Assistant District Attorney in crimes against children. It was the best job I ever had--so rewarding & important. It deeply affected me as a parent. Coming from a sheltered childhood, I learned what other people must cope with day-to-day.
When I was working in child sex crimes, I started writing poetry as a means of catharsis. I never thought I’d write a book but in 2006, my first book, Bronx DA, True Stories from the Sex Crimes & Domestic Violence Unit was published.
When I left the DA’s office, I wanted to do more for children, so I applied to the United States Attorney’s Office. During the long application process, my brother’s friend offered me a job as an in-house attorney. Meanwhile, my application for US attorney was caught in a presidential change. I had to reapply but was no longer interested. That began my current career path.
I went from small business to Big Pharma. Since I don’t like to stay in one place doing one thing, being an in-house attorney worked well as I had the flexibility to work in different specialties, everything from employment law to regulatory.
After Bronx DA came out, I wanted to try my hand at fiction. I tried writing crime novels—a natural progression after being a prosecutor. But it’s not a genre I read much & I didn’t find joy in it. So, I started writing sci-fi because that is what I love to read. My REINCEPTION trilogy went on to win numerous awards, including first place in IBPA, CIBA Cygnus & Pencraft awards. Book two was released at the end of 2024 & the final installment in the series will come out at the end of 2025.
Employers are now more open to professionals who have ‘portfolio careers.’ Portfolio-career employees can be more appealing because of their multiple capabilities. For those more advanced in your career, use that to your advantage.
I enjoy my dual careers. I love being a lawyer but am not happy unless I am creating.
Find the work that makes you happy, something that truly fuels your passion & go for it!
For my headshot with Alissa, I was asking for something different. I wanted new photos for both of my professions, attorney & writer; it was a big ask. Alissa stepped into it & made it fun. Her team did my makeup. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The photos turned out great.”