Legal Secretary who wants to go to University, with no idea what to study. Any advice?

C M

GIRRRLLLL! Don't put limits on yourself. Go for the GOLD. If you want to be a paralegal or lawyer then go for it. If you told me I would be doing this job a decade ago I would of laughed at you.

grasaa

I completed my BA program in Law and Justice at Central Washington University (the school has a branch in Lynnwood , WA- close for me to go). The program was difficult for me, as English is not my first language and I am old (49 y.o.) However, I enjoy it very much and I did not drop out - which many students do. I completed the program in the estimated (5 quarters - I had some accepted University credits from Brazil).

You should talk with the school advisor and start slow, taking 'core' classes that are accepted in several programs, so, if you change your mind about what to go for, you do not 'waste' those credits. I was told by the UW advisor to follow a 'transfer A degree', as I needed some classes from community college ( cheaper then Univ.) mostly I needed some science classes, as I completed them, I also took a criminal justice intro class to 'check' it out, as an elective class. I felt in love and decided to go into law studies. the criminal class was a core in the CWU, but CWU wanted a "transfer B degree", so I had to still take yet another science class, a "lab" class.

If I had that information, I could had done the lab class as well for my A transfer, as it was, I wasted 2 science classes and was forced to do a lab science one (did Chemistry 101- the most difficult class ever).

I hope that helps. I love my program. I created many new friends and my professors were amazing. Should check the programs if you are already in the legal field. Also many Universities take 'work experience as credit'. I took an internship at NWWomen's Law Center as credit.

Brenda L

Take general education classes to start and see what interests you more. When I went back to school I was amazed...every day in every class I learned something new and interesting. When I was in psych I would think "oh, maybe I should go into psychology..." when I was in English I'd think "oh maybe I should be a teacher or a writer..." Anyway, you get the idea. Take a variety of classes and leave your options open.

jannsody

That's fantastic that you would like to go to University to get a degree! Perhaps a business degree would complement your skills as a legal secretary. I have heard that paralegals need to have earned a bachelor's degree in 'something' and perhaps a certificate as well(?). When thinking of a career, Farrah Gray, young male multimillionaire and author of 'Reallionaire' says to ask oneself, "what would I do for years and years to come and not have to get paid?" Perhaps that can help you decide how you would like your degree to aid in your career. A variation of 'if you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life' :) Wishing you the best of luck. Just please keep in mind that if planning on living on-campus, that you may want to look into an apartment (or off-campus apartment) as opposed to the dorms (between us and the wall :) which tend to house the younger-just-graduated-from- high-school-crowd ;)

US occupational outlook handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search whichever career that piques one's interest.

For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

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