Sacramento Paralegal wrote:
In article <1a934c34.0402222053.65574184@posting.google.com>,
hbluenite@sbcglobal.net (Striker007) writes:
I have recently graduated from college with a B.A. in
Criminology/Criminal Justice but believe it or not I can't find any
work as a legal assistance.
First off, that's "legal assistant" -- not the only error I noted in your
post.You may be losing jobs because of mistakes like that. The legal
field is particularly unforgiving of such things; work that is not
absolutely perfect can get us in trouble. Take a typing class, a couple
of grammar/writing skills classes.
Id appreciate any advice anyone could give me on how to break into the
field.
Since you are working in a call center, I assume you can choose to work
nights.Put your days to good use. Up this end of California, we have the
Prisoner's Rights Union, which always needs volunteers. Legal Aid is all
over, and they always need volunteers. Call your County Bar Association
for the names of any other legal assistance to the poor programs. They
don't have the money to hire as many people as they need. Offer to
volunteer one day a week, or a couple half-days a week. When a paid job
opens up, the volunteers are generally the ones offered the job first.
Alternately, you're working on getting some experience that will help you
get a job down the road.
Quite a few of the paralegals I know started out as a law firm
receptionist or file clerk, and some lawyer recognized they were bright,
and trained them to be a paralegal. Frankly, I've seen what comes out of
some of the paralegal schools around here, and I wouldn't trust those
bimbos to be able to find the courthouse. I'll take a law-office-trained
paralegal over a graduate of one of those schools any day. So, don't
discount the possibility of getting your foot in the door as a messenger
or file clerk, and getting promoted from there.
There ya go. Show off your talents and skills to prospective employers so
they can see what you can do.
Get to know the people in the business.
I've known many people get a job simply because they were in the right place
at the right time.
People in the business who may not be hiring, might know others who are and
don't advertise that position.
