Mixing Messages

Mixing Messages is a home for young professionals who want (and need) a place to learn, grow and discuss the intricacies of being millennials (or Gen Z, if you’re lucky) in the workplace.

As a young trainee solicitor navigating my way through the rough waters of the London and Paris offices of a magic circle firm, I often found myself wishing for a place where I could get the advice I desperately needed without the embarrassment and (let’s face it) judgment that would come from attempting to clarify my issues with my colleagues.

I’ve put a lot of time in between those days and these. I’ve worked in some of the biggest and best law firms in England and France, taken some time out to do a Masters (yes, you can do that) and almost accidentally changed my practice area. Lots has changed, but there is one thing that has stayed the same no matter where I was, although there was a lot of chat about actually training people, the follow-through is often not there. In my own team, I found myself spending more and more time helping the more junior members of my team with their professional and personal well-being.

Working as a professional in the City means putting yourself in a position where you have to deal with decades of institutionalised corporatism (which is, in itself, often enough to drive someone mad) and a lot of very bright, very stressed people who are only capable of seeing you (for the most part) as a help or a hindrance.

That realisation is how what started out as a personal blog categorising the (mis)adventures of my twenties, has morphed into a one-stop-shop for answering questions, providing support, and just generally decoding how to be a trainee, associate, or whatever kind of professional you happen to be.

But don’t worry, I’ll keep giving out podcast recommendations…