Being a first-generation attorney is a categorization that comes with embedded accomplishments. Many times, you're the first in your family to attend college, and even the first to pursue a professional degree. It's easy to assume that after getting through law school, which can be a daunting experience, and then overcoming the bar exam, a first-generation attorney would feel ready to face the trials (pun intended) and tribulations of the legal profession.

The truth is that once you enter the legal profession, the real work begins. Whether you went the Big Law route, pursued a job in public interest, or opted for somewhere in between, as a first-generation attorney you'll feel you're entering an entirely new world without a map to guide you.