Ok, so we struggle and struggle and hope for the best. Who is going to hire me, how am I going to get an entry level job when everyone asks fo five years' experience? Is it me? Did i pick out the right paralegal school? Oh my goodness, what if I spent all this money on a degree and its not worth anything? These are the words the float through my head as I visit agency after agency. I buy the suit, take out braids, and speak the lango, but no one has anything for me. I put in in my mind that I will temp for the variety, but deep down I long for security, benefits, real vacation time. How do I reach that level without going crazy?
I am fortunate that I found a corporate job, with one of the best corporate counsel in New York. She took a chance on me, with my braids, me being me. I speak the lango, learn so much more, and am proud of my title. I write this article because I want everyone to not give up hope; it hurts and sucks to wonder if its you, but the you that you wonder about will ultimately land you the right job. Time is money, but patience is a true virtue. I applied for what seemed like hundreds of jobs, maybe even thousands, but you have to be sure that one person will take that chance on you.
My final thought remains that I am not sure what will come of this fabulous opportunity, but having my foot in door has given the confidence to go further and do more, in this field, with way less doubts.
You guys rock! It can be very hard to break in. Over 15 yrs. ago, an agency asked me to come in for an interview (I was running a high fever at the time but still managed to type FAST - I think I was hallucinating! LOL) Anyway, they sent me on an interview for a job as a receptionist/legal assistant and I got the job because I was willing to start at the bottom and work for peanuts for a bit. After 7 months, I applied for a paralegal job (personal injury/workers' comp) and gave myself a nice raise. It seemed that sole practitioners were more willing to take a chance on a newbie than the larger firms. Thank goodness!
Anyway, your stories are very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I have a B.S. in paralegal studies from Kaplan. Halfway through my four-year plan, the New York State Bar Association (where I was plugging away at my degree while working 2 and 3 jobs) decided they would not accept online degrees -- not enough student interaction was the stated reason. Yet I posted daily with fellow students from all over the world, more contact with more cultures and more diverse views than I got competed a brick and mortar degree a few years back. So now I'm in Virginia, working for a law firm that I love.
Hang in there!
When I read the second line of your post I found myself physically nodding in agreement! I was there too. I finished school -- Kaplan Online with a B.S. in Paralegal Studies -- and took the first job I was offered. Turned out to not be the right fit for me, and then I was out of work for 3 months. Scary. I, too, feared I'd be paying off student loans for a degree that was almost useless. But then I got a job as a temp file clerk at a major firm in Seattle. About 6 months later I saw an ad on my local paralegal website for a paralegal/investigator. They didn't have the usual "3-5 years experience" listed so I tried. Three interviews later I was offered the job and will celebrate a year in January. With no real "legal" experience. Sometimes its hard to see the forest for the trees. Accredited or not, my experience is that you get the basics in school and like many jobs -- it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Hey,
Does anyone out there have a Kaplan post-graduate Paralegal Certificate? I am asking because I received mine last year and they were awaiting ABA accredidation and I don't know if they ever received it or not. I am a little concerned as to whether or not this certificate I have is recognized by the general legal public. I got the job I have now relatively easy but I think that's because I have 20 years nursing experience and I work for a General Counsel at a Healthcare Company. I'm worried that if I should ever try to 'break out' of nursing related work, I'll have a hard time.
Thank you both for your kind words. I am so excited about this website; it is such a great mechanism for meeting new an interesting people. Keep in touch.
I too share similar feelings. Sometimes not giving up hope can be a challenge.
I keep hearing the word "Perseverance". I hope one day that it pays off. Thank you for such an inspirational piece! :)
I know exactly how you feel due to my own experience similar to what you've describe. And what I recommend is: you do your best to gain all the knowledge and experience you can while you are there (keep records of your billable time). And remember anything worth having, is certainly worth pursuing and working hard for. Especially when your are a memeber of a so called "minority group"
BeBlessed!
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