As a young lawyer, it's hard to overstate the impact COVID has had on my career trajectory, although it has not been as negative as one might assume. I graduated from Stetson University College of Law at the height of the pandemic, preparing for the bar exam and launching my first job search during a period when in-person networking was verboten. My peers and I were worried about our job prospects, having been forced to retreat to our homes and only interact with others via phone or video-conference calls. The typical meet-and-greets, networking events and social hours that allowed law students to build relationships and meet potential employers disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Networking—or "relationship building," as I prefer to call it—oftentimes is key to advancing one's career. Opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, mentors and potential employers are invaluable to aspiring early-career professionals. In today's online world, it's easy enough to build a large network, but in my experience, real connections are made in person. It's meaningful to be able to look someone in the eye, shake hands and get to know one another. After finishing law school without a formal commencement ceremony, and then taking the bar exam entirely online, I began my career as a lawyer representing homeowners in first-party property insurance disputes. I was thrown right into the virtual courtroom. As a millennial who grew up adapting to the latest technology, it was easy for me to pick up Zoom and other skills necessary for the virtual practice of law. It also wasn't uncommon for seasoned lawyers and even judges to ask for my help navigating their new online practices.