| Topic Name: |
career change advice |
| Message Name: |
Phd does not mean paralegal degree |
| Date Posted: |
11/23/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
I would appreciate advice from the happy and the unhappy paralegals. I've been a university professor for 16 years in an isolated geographical area I really don't like at all, having moved here from NYC. I've spent all these years trying to make the best of things and blaming myself for the dissatisfaction, and finally realized...it's not me. Looking at what I do here (for under 60K with a doctorate) and what appeals: I've gotten pretty good with paperwork, am a published writer, good people skills, and have done a good bit of research. As secretarial help seems to be non-existent here, I had to do a ton of organizational tasks for myself and my sub-department. So paralegal has occurred as an option for career change. I'd also like a JOB that I walk away from at night rather than one for which the amount of work can consume all one's time because it's never "done". Questions are:
1. If I have a doctorate and this experience in my "old" field, how important is it for the NYC maket to use an ABA-approved prep program? Anybody know about the NYU or the Hunter College? Big difference-3 monts vs. three weeks! Or will any program be a waste of time, thus I should just apply for jobs?
2. These 60K paralegal or legal secretary jobs (I know they are not the same job): do they really exist? What knid of salary can a competent person achieve after perhaps 4 years? My present job gets about 2-3% raise each year, so clearly it's not going anywhere!
3. I'll be 50, but nobody believes it: seem to think I look mid-30s.
It seems strange, but my life has been so focused I have no idea how to just go out and "get a job". So any help or ideas would be much appreciated. |
| Message: |
If you have been in academia, you must understand the strata of society. It is simple, no lawyer, unless they want to "own" or humiliate you, will hire someone with a doctorate. You have more education than a JD, they cant take the blow to their inflated ego. Im a graduate student who works PT as a paralegal...and I am more knowledgeable than him in many areas...and this gets me in trouble sometimes :)Don't let money, mammon, rule you. I would never choose to be a FT paralegal vocationally...15 hours a week, I can handle...sometimes. To answer your question, sadly...you can make 60K a year but you will never be reminded that you have a doctorate, you will lose that once you sign up.
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