CaMabigail

I have deliberated for years on whether or not being a Paralegal/Legal Assistant/Litigation Assistant was really what I wanted to do. I wasn’t sure if this was something I chose because it appeared to be lucrative, or if I really truly enjoyed doing what I do. I needed to answer this question before I could answer the more pressing question, which was, do I really want to take this as far as it will go, or do I need to choose something else?
I’ve had loads of people tell me that this is what I was meant to do, born to do. I’ll admit that part of the reason I like is because it comes so easily to me. I’ll admit that part of the daily grind is endless reading followed by even more endless regurgitation of information, both in written and verbal formats. When I first declared my major in college, I immediately immersed myself in the first internship I could find, and I loved every minute I spent at that internship, I loved that I was helping people. I knew right away that I would have to go into Plaintiffs work. I had to fight for what was right. Well that only lasted less than a year. I realized that most “Plaintiffs” are milking the system and the ones that are truly, honestly hurt or damaged usually get nothing, or little to nothing. So began my career in defense work, I was immediately engaged. No longer did I dread going into work, but initially I thought it was only because I bored so easily, so easily. I also thought that part of the problem was that the Plaintiffs office I worked in was it’s own particular brand of hell. Filled with a few kind, warm faces, however overshadowed by wretched, egomaniacal, lazy untrustworthy snakes.
So my journey took me to challenges I never thought I’d see, I met a slew of wonderful people along the way. To my disdain, the more I talked to people who had taken their careers “all the way” were miserable. Instead of the sing-song encouragement of “you should go to Law School.” I heard “Don’t do it!” paired with a few “I can’t believe I actually paid this much to be this miserable.” I started to believe that I would never be happy as an attorney. I started to believe everyone regretted the decision to go to law school, only to be stuck in a career they hate. I decided right then that I would never go to law school, I would not be that miserable. Besides, law school was always a pipe dream, one in which I am sure if I was ever able to actually do it, I would go into so much debt I’d never ever be able to have any amount of worth period. But recently this has all changed...
Most of you know my career path took a huge detour, when I accepted a position as a Legal Secretary to spend more time with the kids, but after only working there a little over three months, I was already performing duties well beyond a Legal Secretary (although I am quickly learning that some Legal Secretaries do it all, Litigation Coordination, Paralegal, Secretarial work - I mean they do it all). So as I work more and more here at this firm, I am realizing something - not all attorneys are miserable, some really enjoy what they do for a living – so maybe I could to. I’m not running out to apply just yet, but the option is definitely back on the table.