Gut instincts are very important to us human beings.  In some serious cases, they keep us out of danger. In other cases they can help us choose the right answer to a test question that we are not quite sure of.  In any event, there are certain segments of the population that are good at listening to their gut feelings.  They trust what they feel and they go for it. 

Deciding on where to practice is one of those ”gut feeling” questions you need to ask yourself.  Finding the answer can involve a long thought process.  As you go through school, you are constantly being exposed to new ideas and concepts by your instructors, your text books and the seminars/electives you choose to attend.  These help you shape your viewpoint on how you may eventually want to practice. 

I have told you before that one of my jobs in writing to you is to make you think about things that I never did. You need to take a few moments after each quarter or semester and think about were you want your practice to be located when you graduate.  To start you off, you need to ask yourself this question: What does your heart tell you?

One of my favorite instructors at PCCW, Dr. Gary DeWet, taught our Practice Development quarter (13th Q) while we were interning in the field.  I remember him saying “practice where you are going to love to live”.  He was and is so right.

If you love the community you are practicing in, you will become connected to the community and its’ events.  You become part of things and it goes a long way to building a positive reputation for years to come.  People see you around town, you become part of the Chamber of Commerce, enroll your children in the local schools. It is a wonderful feeling.  I myself am practicing in my hometown of Orinda, CA near San Francisco.

So I ask you, what geographical area would you love to live and practice in?  Is it your home town? Is it where your spouse or significant other is from?  Is it right near your school?  Is it another country? Wherever it may be, I hope you follow your instincts!