Traditional career paths may be the most commonly pursued routes in any profession, but they don’t necessarily lead to success or satisfaction for everyone. This certainly was the case for Krista Bordatto, who shared her unconventional journey from the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps to academia in a recent editorial on Above the Law.
Bordatto’s career trajectory started with a stint in the National Guard before attending law school. However, her dreams didn’t align with the standard expectation of becoming a first-year associate in a big law firm. Instead, she dreamt of joining JAG — a goal she eventually achieved. However, life changes like marriage and buying a home made the prospect of consistent relocation daunting, and Bordatto found herself drawn to the idea of teaching law.
In a surprising pivot, Bordatto turned down her dream job with the U.S. Army. She stepped into her first law firm role and quickly distinguished herself, but the challenging working conditions led her to reconsider her career path. After experiencing multiple miscarriages, she and her husband made the decision to relocate, triggering another series of professional changes for Bordatto.
Although she was consistently met with rejection in her attempts to secure a teaching position, Bordatto tenaciously held onto her ambition. She transformed her law school graduation paper into a publication and took up an active-duty role in the North Carolina National Guard. Despite excelling in the Army and being on track for promotion, a life-altering car accident precipitated her early retirement.
Following her medical retirement, Bordatto, undeterred, recommitted herself to the pursuit of a teaching career. Despite perceiving a lack of relevant additions to her resume during her time away from traditional practice, she applied for teaching positions. Success finally came when she secured an adjunct position teaching legal writing, which then led to a full-time teaching position.
Today, Bordatto teaches Legal Research and Writing and Workplace Law at Campbell Law and leads a well-balanced life, successfully managing her familial responsibilities alongside her professional goals. Her story is a testament to the fact that unconventional career paths can also lead to professional fulfillment and are as valid as traditional routes.
Bordatto’s unique journey conveys an important message to all legal professionals: a nontraditional path is not just okay, but can often lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.