Paralegal Mentors Give Back
Paralegal Mentors provide great support
Over 22 years ago, I began my paralegal career. I had just closed my plant nursery and felt a bit lost. The nursery was a very hard business to run but when it was over, I missed it.
So, what to do?
I checked the local job ads and it seemed that the higher pays were in either the medical or legal fields.
One problem.
I had no experience in either field. None at all.
What I decided to do was call an employment agency 40 miles away (nearest large city). The agency consultant asked if I could come right down to take a typing test. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity, so I drove to the appointment (with 102 degree fever!) and took the test.
The following week, I called to follow up and was told that they had a job interview for me at a small law firm. Long story short, the interview went very well and I was hired on a temporary basis. Within a month’s time, this temporary job turned into a permanent one.
One of the main reasons everything went so well was because the paralegal there became my teacher/mentor. She answered my questions very patiently and enjoyed seeing me learn something new every single day.
Honestly, I have to tell you – all of this was tough. Starting a new job is not easy – so much to learn when you enter a new field. However, this paralegal made it much easier. And…she cared very deeply that I make it.
So, my question to you is this: how are you giving back to the profession that has given you so much?
Have you reached out to any paralegal students or recent graduates lately? No? Well, it’s time. Time to take someone under your wing to “pay it forward”. Time to teach that new paralegal how to work efficiently, accurately and with high integrity.
