Best job for experience
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:34 pm
I am a part time night, 1L, at Chicago-Kent, and started school early during the summer. I just recently quit a full time position that paid poorly,and took a part time position that basically pays the same. I have more time to study, and the flexibility of taking an internship if I want to. I recently entertained the thought of hunting for a legal-related position that would get my feet wet, and give me some experience and networking, while paying potentially the same or more than the previous position I had (it was not law related), even if full time.
Since I am a part-time 1L, I don't think I have the skills yet to take on a paralegal positions. I was looking at legal secretaries and legal assistants, and I mostly have all the qualifications they look for (usually, when they don't require 4 years plus legal experience), as I have plenty of administrative experience.
I talked to my professor, and she said that in order to get legal experience, it would be better if I do an internship/volunteer work at a firm than taking on a job as a legal secretary or assistant, and that I would not get too much experience from those jobs.
I could just basically rely on this part time and concentrate in school. However, when I was working full time during the summer I was able to ace my finals, so I am confident that a full time, although challenging, would not be killing for me, and I would love instead of working a dead-end job, use my time wisely and get experience while I get some money. I cannot afford working for free entirely, I need even a minimal source of income.
First question;
Are legal secretary/assistant jobs as awful as my professor made them to be?
Could I realistically do a clerking job?
Should I instead do what my professor said and take on an internship?
Thank you in advance for the advice.
Since I am a part-time 1L, I don't think I have the skills yet to take on a paralegal positions. I was looking at legal secretaries and legal assistants, and I mostly have all the qualifications they look for (usually, when they don't require 4 years plus legal experience), as I have plenty of administrative experience.
I talked to my professor, and she said that in order to get legal experience, it would be better if I do an internship/volunteer work at a firm than taking on a job as a legal secretary or assistant, and that I would not get too much experience from those jobs.
I could just basically rely on this part time and concentrate in school. However, when I was working full time during the summer I was able to ace my finals, so I am confident that a full time, although challenging, would not be killing for me, and I would love instead of working a dead-end job, use my time wisely and get experience while I get some money. I cannot afford working for free entirely, I need even a minimal source of income.
First question;
Are legal secretary/assistant jobs as awful as my professor made them to be?
Could I realistically do a clerking job?
Should I instead do what my professor said and take on an internship?
Thank you in advance for the advice.