Being a paralegal is more challenging than I initially thought. I thought that with my past experience as an office assistant (office manager)that it would be a cinch to do the paralegal job. While my past experience helps, it does not transfer over to being a paralegal.
I now realize how invaliable a paralegal with five (5) years experience is to a lawyer; and the value experience provides a lawyer. It took me but a month on the job to realize why the field is so competitive for new paralegals starting out and WHY a lawyer wants to hire someone with 5 years experience.
It does take about 5 years to really learn how to do the things that add value to a lawyer.
Adding value is the pressure I face every day I go to work. I am always asking myself, "Does this task add value to my lawyer?" or "Am I giving the lawyer the most out of my time?" I know I can do this job, I have the initiative and the knowledge and skills to do the job, however, as my husband noted, what I don't have is the time to figure it all out. The job keeps me on my toes. It frustrates me, depresses me, excites me, and makes me nervous as hell!
My wish is that I can come away giving back to the lawyer, and adding value in every way I can and hopefully I can be that "SUPERSTAR" paralegal recognized in the legal community as such. For now, I just hope and pray that I can add some value worthy of my keep.
I love my job and I am very happy I did not pursue law school.
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