Over 40 and Ready For a New Challenge
I recently read an article by Chere Estrin about the attractiveness of the paralegal field to someone over 40 who is transitioning into a new career. She's right - it is a great career move because life experience can improve your ability to do the job well.
I'm a perfect example, though I transitioned around age 30. My bachelors degree is a double major, elementary education and junior high/middle school education, with emphasis in language arts and social studies (or in everyday-speak, English and History). While working for Alumni Relations at Central Missouri State, I started my masters degree (in Student Personnel Administration). My career goals were to work in higher education administration.
But along the way, got a divorce and I lost my job as an admissions officer at a private college, due to low enrollment numbers. After a move back to central Missouri, I took a stop-gap job as a receptionist at a law firm and, to my complete surprise, I loved it and began to work my way up. Last year, I learned of an employment opportunity at the Office of the General Counsel for the University of Missouri. That felt like a full-circle position for me, because it combined my desire to promote higher education while enjoying the challenges of the legal field.
There are paralegals needed in just about any field you can think of, and no matter what your life experiences are, you can probably find a way to pursue your interests while working as a paralegal. For instance, if you have a background in intellectual property, paralegals in that field are sought after (and the opportunities for support and continuing education are excellent, as indicated by a seminar held by the American Intellectual Property Law Association). If you were a teacher, look at the opportunities in educational law. If you have dealt with a parent's affairs after their death, consider a career in probate law. I worked in the field of estate planning for several years and found that my experiences in dealing with my mother-in-law's estate (she had not prepared a will) gave me a basis to understand what our clients wanted and needed. The list goes on and on.
If you are a paralegal, what made you choose that career path? If you are considering it, what life experiences do you want to draw upon?
I'm a perfect example, though I transitioned around age 30. My bachelors degree is a double major, elementary education and junior high/middle school education, with emphasis in language arts and social studies (or in everyday-speak, English and History). While working for Alumni Relations at Central Missouri State, I started my masters degree (in Student Personnel Administration). My career goals were to work in higher education administration.
But along the way, got a divorce and I lost my job as an admissions officer at a private college, due to low enrollment numbers. After a move back to central Missouri, I took a stop-gap job as a receptionist at a law firm and, to my complete surprise, I loved it and began to work my way up. Last year, I learned of an employment opportunity at the Office of the General Counsel for the University of Missouri. That felt like a full-circle position for me, because it combined my desire to promote higher education while enjoying the challenges of the legal field.
There are paralegals needed in just about any field you can think of, and no matter what your life experiences are, you can probably find a way to pursue your interests while working as a paralegal. For instance, if you have a background in intellectual property, paralegals in that field are sought after (and the opportunities for support and continuing education are excellent, as indicated by a seminar held by the American Intellectual Property Law Association). If you were a teacher, look at the opportunities in educational law. If you have dealt with a parent's affairs after their death, consider a career in probate law. I worked in the field of estate planning for several years and found that my experiences in dealing with my mother-in-law's estate (she had not prepared a will) gave me a basis to understand what our clients wanted and needed. The list goes on and on.
If you are a paralegal, what made you choose that career path? If you are considering it, what life experiences do you want to draw upon?
Posted by Lori Robinett at 8/5/2009 12:34 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: paralegal paralegalism legal assistant career change
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: paralegal paralegalism legal assistant career change
Hello Lori!
What a great blog! I just came across it. Would you be interested in writing an article for KNOW, The Magazine for Paralegals?
Let me know!
Chere Estrin
Editor-in-Chief
KNOW, The Magazine for Paralegals
chere@knowparalegal.com
www.knowparalegal.com
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Quite inspiring,
Looks like you are going pretty far...
Keep up the good work
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