Comments on: Mini Freak-Out http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/ Full-Time Working Mom/Part-Time Evening Law Student Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:05:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Julie Fleming-Brown http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1706 Julie Fleming-Brown Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:41:08 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1706 Good move on your part to ask for more substantive responsibility when and if an opportunity arises! As for your career counselor's comment, I think it's way off-base. It might be a challenge to move into an associate's position at a firm where you've been working as a secretary (and it would certainly create some big barriers to conquer to do so) but I imagine you've acquired some good experience in your work. You'll have something to discuss during interviews, and you're well ahead of those who have never set foot in a law firm. I would be surprised to find that anyone would exclude you because you've worked as a legal secretary, and if that did happen, I suspect the exclusion would reflect far more on them than on you. Good move on your part to ask for more substantive responsibility when and if an opportunity arises!

As for your career counselor’s comment, I think it’s way off-base. It might be a challenge to move into an associate’s position at a firm where you’ve been working as a secretary (and it would certainly create some big barriers to conquer to do so) but I imagine you’ve acquired some good experience in your work. You’ll have something to discuss during interviews, and you’re well ahead of those who have never set foot in a law firm. I would be surprised to find that anyone would exclude you because you’ve worked as a legal secretary, and if that did happen, I suspect the exclusion would reflect far more on them than on you.

]]> By: Ana http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1696 Ana Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:33:28 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1696 I can't speak personally to the legal secretary situation. However, I can say that more than 50% of the time, the advice I've gotten from the career office has turned out to be totally bogus. I advise asking around and find out if what they said is actually legit. I can’t speak personally to the legal secretary situation. However, I can say that more than 50% of the time, the advice I’ve gotten from the career office has turned out to be totally bogus. I advise asking around and find out if what they said is actually legit.

]]> By: ptlawmom http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1689 ptlawmom Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:04:00 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1689 I work at a firm that has very few slots for only top candidates. There's a lot of competition to get in here and unless I stop sleeping between now and finals, I doubt my grades will be at the top of my class. Besides, we get ranked against next year's incoming full-time class so the competition hasn't even arrived yet. :shock: I work at a firm that has very few slots for only top candidates. There’s a lot of competition to get in here and unless I stop sleeping between now and finals, I doubt my grades will be at the top of my class. Besides, we get ranked against next year’s incoming full-time class so the competition hasn’t even arrived yet. :shock:

]]> By: Proto Attorney http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1688 Proto Attorney Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:36:44 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1688 Number 16 in our class didn't get a job last year, the main reason being he's never worked a day in his life and went straight from undergrad to law school. I think working as a secretary up until you take the bar is probably a mistake, but it's still early now, and you have plenty of time to get other experience. Have you felt out how your current firm feels about taking you on as an associate someday? Also, even if they aren't willing to give you the position (or the pay raise), maybe they'd be willing to give you the extra work to give you the experience. Something extra to put on the resume. Number 16 in our class didn’t get a job last year, the main reason being he’s never worked a day in his life and went straight from undergrad to law school.

I think working as a secretary up until you take the bar is probably a mistake, but it’s still early now, and you have plenty of time to get other experience. Have you felt out how your current firm feels about taking you on as an associate someday? Also, even if they aren’t willing to give you the position (or the pay raise), maybe they’d be willing to give you the extra work to give you the experience. Something extra to put on the resume.

]]> By: ptlawmom http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1687 ptlawmom Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:33:08 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1687 Kelly, the only person I can think of to talk to is the hiring person at my firm. I'll ask her. As for the "lowly secretary" thing, this career counselor went from undergrad to law school and then worked in BigLaw so I'm not sure how good her perspective is. I'm just thinking that, in the current market, I should probably try to get as much experience as possible prior to graduation, whether through volunteer work or hands-on work at my firm. Kelly, the only person I can think of to talk to is the hiring person at my firm. I’ll ask her. As for the “lowly secretary” thing, this career counselor went from undergrad to law school and then worked in BigLaw so I’m not sure how good her perspective is. I’m just thinking that, in the current market, I should probably try to get as much experience as possible prior to graduation, whether through volunteer work or hands-on work at my firm.

]]> By: Blair Sloane http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1685 Blair Sloane Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:14:37 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1685 I can't believe your counselor said that, and acutally called you a "lowly secretary". Where does this woman get her information? In my experience, currently as a legal secretary by day/an undergrad student by night, the most feedback I received for being an "older" (though I'm only 25) college student, that most employers would look at your part-time education status and full-time work experience and see that your experience as a 9 to 5-er actually proves your maturity and ability to manage a full time position, where as grads fresh out of college are simply that, fresh out of college and no experience working in the real world. Not to mention the ability and character needed to sucessfully complete a degree at night whilst working hard during the day. I think your counselor should consider these things (and the fact that your a mother to boot) and see that your work experience, especially in the legal field, is actually an asset more than it is liablity. I can’t believe your counselor said that, and acutally called you a “lowly secretary”. Where does this woman get her information?

In my experience, currently as a legal secretary by day/an undergrad student by night, the most feedback I received for being an “older” (though I’m only 25) college student, that most employers would look at your part-time education status and full-time work experience and see that your experience as a 9 to 5-er actually proves your maturity and ability to manage a full time position, where as grads fresh out of college are simply that, fresh out of college and no experience working in the real world. Not to mention the ability and character needed to sucessfully complete a degree at night whilst working hard during the day.

I think your counselor should consider these things (and the fact that your a mother to boot) and see that your work experience, especially in the legal field, is actually an asset more than it is liablity.

]]> By: Lawyer's Right Hand http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1684 Lawyer's Right Hand Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:39:53 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1684 Have you sought a second opinion to validate your counselor's position? Have you sought a second opinion to validate your counselor’s position?

]]> By: PT-LawMom http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1683 PT-LawMom Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:17:08 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1683 See, that was my thought. But the career counselor said that most employers get a bazillion resumes for each position and that the title alone could get me tossed in the "No Thanks" pile. Hmmm. I don't necessarily agree, but I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. No word from HR so far but I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for the reassurance. Monique, thanks for making those good points. :razz: See, that was my thought. But the career counselor said that most employers get a bazillion resumes for each position and that the title alone could get me tossed in the “No Thanks” pile. Hmmm. I don’t necessarily agree, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask. No word from HR so far but I’ll keep you guys posted. Thanks for the reassurance. Monique, thanks for making those good points. :razz:

]]> By: CM http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1682 CM Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:12:04 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1682 You just said they need you and would have trouble filling the position... I doubt it hurts to ask. I am very surprised that being a legal secretary could hurt you later on, though. I can see why it would be better to be a paralegal, but as a secretary you have insight into how the firm really works and a perspective that nearly all attorneys lack. I would think your experience would be a plus. You just said they need you and would have trouble filling the position… I doubt it hurts to ask.

I am very surprised that being a legal secretary could hurt you later on, though. I can see why it would be better to be a paralegal, but as a secretary you have insight into how the firm really works and a perspective that nearly all attorneys lack. I would think your experience would be a plus.

]]> By: Monique http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1680 Monique Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:46:19 +0000 http://ptlawmom.com/2007/10/29/mini-freak-out/#comment-1680 I'm sure with longevity on the job, a positive work history with the firm and if they know your attending law school they will understand your request. I wouldn't think they would dismiss you for making a request. Good Luck! I’m sure with longevity on the job, a positive work history with the firm and if they know your attending law school they will understand your request.

I wouldn’t think they would dismiss you for making a request. Good Luck!

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