A Leap of Confidence: Terra Buckley’s Inspiring Path to Legal Expertise
“There is a confidence that seems to only come after many years of pulling off the impossible, the belief that no matter how hard a task is, you are going to get it done and done well. I wish people had that earlier in their careers.”
That is what Terra Buckley, JD, Vice President and Head of Compliance at MedPro Systems shared with us recently.
“For example, my daughter is a crazy overachiever. I look at her and say, ‘You’re going to pull it off. You’re going to cry, be anxious, eat chocolate, and then nail it!’”
“I noticed this pattern in myself too. Taking on bigger challenges, more work, but saying ‘This is hard but I’m going to pull it off!’”
“I made the choice to go to law school later in life, and I am so glad I did. It was difficult, but I had a supportive husband and understanding kids. I am very proud of this accomplishment."
“Before I went to law school, I asked myself, ‘How do I double down on my own development to be the best in my field?’ Would I hit a ceiling without a law degree? Sadly, I’ve seen this happen. I didn’t want any barriers in my career. I also had the advantage of having a top law school for healthcare compliance nearby – Seton Hall Law School."
“What convinced me to go to law school was observing the attorneys I worked with, crisp and polished, analyzing problems with depth and wisdom. I said to myself, ‘I want to do that.’ I knew it would make me better."
“That was it, I went to law school at night. It took four years. My professional advancement didn’t slow down during that time. I took on increasing roles, building and enhancing compliance programs and being a strong business partner for internal clients.”
“I was living day-to-day. Every single day I did work. I’d listen to lectures while commuting, and read cases during holiday drives to visit family. It was all-consuming, but it goes fast.”
“When you’re older you have more respect and appreciation for education. It is a massive time commitment. Every moment is a rich experience. People ask me if it’s worth going back to school later in life. There are 3 truths. 1) There is never a good time, 2) you are never too old and 3) you will never regret it."
“Bite the inside of your cheek and jump! Dive into that next adventure.”
“I reached out to Alissa because of what I saw in her headshots. I see who that person is through their picture. It’s like I’m reading their profile. There’s something about the way Alissa photographs that shows you and your brand. I had the most amazing experience with Alissa. I felt spoiled and didn’t feel rushed. It was a lot of fun and not at all intimidating - like a day at the spa! I love my headshots and feel very proud to use them - I finally have a professional photo that represents who I am.”
Thank you, Terra, for sharing your story with us.