A webinar explored the psychological readiness of young advocates for practice

Professionals at the start of their careers often face challenges that make them feel isolated. But many people go through these difficulties: the first year is a period of adapting theoretical knowledge to practical experience and developing an understanding of oneself as a professional.

The psychology of a successful start for an advocate was discussed during a thematic webinar organized by Olga Bodian, a representative of the UNBA NextGen in Kyiv. The speaker was practicing psychologist Marina Nazarova.

She began with professional identity, defining this concept as a person’s perception of themselves as a professional: who I am, what I am like and why I chose this profession. This forms the basis for motivation, a sense of professional purpose, the realization of one’s potential, and an understanding of the direction of one’s development.

To explore this topic, participants were asked to answer five questions: What are my strengths as an advocate? What are my weaknesses? What value can I offer my clients? What sets me apart from other advocates? Why did I choose this profession? M. Nazarova explained that these answers provide an inner foundation and help one understand how to further build one’s professional career.

The speaker then moved on to the topic of motivation. M. Nazarova distinguished between external motivation — recognition, money, status, and others’ expectations — and internal motivation, which is linked to personal interest, the value of one’s work, and an understanding of why a person chose this particular profession. She noted that while external motivation can drive progress, one should not rely solely on external factors.

Issues related to communication with clients were also discussed. M. Nazarova analyzed typical challenging situations: pressure from tight deadlines, devaluation of the work’s worth, emotional pressure stemming from feelings of guilt, the constant expansion of the workload, and threats of negative feedback.

Speaking about interactions with law enforcement agencies, the psychologist noted that employees of different agencies have different personalities, so it is necessary to adapt one’s communication style. At the same time, she cautioned against condescension in communication and emphasized the importance of communicating on an equal footing.

The final part of the event focused on resources and burnout prevention. The speaker identified six types of resources: time, information, social connections, money, skills or knowledge, and one’s personal well-being. According to her, frequent illnesses can be the first sign that a person needs rest, and consistently ignoring one’s needs can lead to emotional burnout.

In conclusion, M. Nazarova noted that advocates need to build a professional identity, objectively evaluate their work, identify their own motivation and prioritize rest and resources.