offbalance (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
offbalance) wrote2008-07-23 02:26 pm
offbalance) wrote2008-07-23 02:26 pm
Entry tags:
That little flame that lights a fire under your ass
Remember that Information Session that I was all circumspect about? I've made a few more decisions regarding it, so I can at least talk about it now.
After a lot of thought and soul-searching, I've decided to go to NYU to complete their certificate in Paralegal Studies. Considering that I describe my job as being "a glorified paralegal" anyway, I decided to do some research into the programs I had available to me in the area. What I found was that, yes, I'm a natural at most of it (writing? research? yes.) and am at least somewhat experienced in the rest of it. Many were eliminated because they required me to get another bachelor's degree or an associate's degree. Considering that I already have a shiny Magna Cum Laude B.A., I decided to pass on those. A few were eliminated because of the distance from my house (St. John's? Queens College? Too far by subway.) Eventually I had narrowed it down to two, but the other (L.I.U: Brooklyn) was eliminated because I wasn't crazy about their program. Their certificate program was cheaper, but it was also four days a week for a solid year. Plus, the woman I spoke to on the phone about the program really didn't do that much to get me excited about it. The infomercial (as I've been calling it) at the other school really did get me excited. I know it's designed to, but I like that they go through the trouble of getting you excited about the program AND the career path of a paralegal.
All of those factors combined left me with just one option: NYU. So, provided all falls into line the way that I'm expecting it to, I'll start in the Spring semester. Thankfully, I will have BIP to pay the nice fat tuition bill (or reimburse me for it, rather). I also get to mock NYU as hard as I want to now, considering that I'll be a student there. Hee! (Student Center Chik-fil-A, here I come!)
It's still going to be tough - I'll have two semesters (Basic Concepts and Advanced Concepts), and I'll have class three nights a week, plus homework. And I'll have to stagger the semesters so I can fully avail myself of the reimbursement. And yanno, preserve my sanity. But my inner Hermione remembers that I used to be really fucking good at this. And I liked this. I liked school. And heaven knows that I need stimulation, and something to get excited about. Plus, this is entirely useful to my current job. I don't plan to leave anytime soon, but this way, I'm also far less limited career-wise. I've heard that there are industries out there that pay a lot more money than publishing! (Could just be a rumor, though.) The deck is stacked - there's really more of a chance that this will be a positive experience for me than a negative one.
There is still plenty to be done. I have to request a transcript from good ol' UA, and there are endless forms and applications to be filled out. I have to call my student loan people (who once complimented me on never missing or being late on a payment) and see if they can do something for me. Part of me wishes that I could be starting sooner, rather than later, but I know that it's a bad idea, and will be even worse come December, when I'll have not only finals to contend with, but year-end crap at work, AND the Christmas holidays. All I'll have to deal with in the spring is my birthday, which hopefully my classes won't conflict with (and even if they do, I'll deal.)
I'm pretty confident about this. I've never wanted to be a lawyer but I enjoy the law. I've gotten a taste of so many parts of it, and almost all of them (short of litigation) really interest me. And, as I've proven over the years, I'm a kick-ass assistant. I'm good at helping other people. I'm organized, and good at keeping things organized (mostly). So I know that this is a good fit. What's more, is that I waited to go back to school until I had something that I knew that I wanted to do and until I could actually entertain the thought without shuddering. So it's time. I'm nervous, don't get me wrong. But I really think this is a good thing for me.
After a lot of thought and soul-searching, I've decided to go to NYU to complete their certificate in Paralegal Studies. Considering that I describe my job as being "a glorified paralegal" anyway, I decided to do some research into the programs I had available to me in the area. What I found was that, yes, I'm a natural at most of it (writing? research? yes.) and am at least somewhat experienced in the rest of it. Many were eliminated because they required me to get another bachelor's degree or an associate's degree. Considering that I already have a shiny Magna Cum Laude B.A., I decided to pass on those. A few were eliminated because of the distance from my house (St. John's? Queens College? Too far by subway.) Eventually I had narrowed it down to two, but the other (L.I.U: Brooklyn) was eliminated because I wasn't crazy about their program. Their certificate program was cheaper, but it was also four days a week for a solid year. Plus, the woman I spoke to on the phone about the program really didn't do that much to get me excited about it. The infomercial (as I've been calling it) at the other school really did get me excited. I know it's designed to, but I like that they go through the trouble of getting you excited about the program AND the career path of a paralegal.
All of those factors combined left me with just one option: NYU. So, provided all falls into line the way that I'm expecting it to, I'll start in the Spring semester. Thankfully, I will have BIP to pay the nice fat tuition bill (or reimburse me for it, rather). I also get to mock NYU as hard as I want to now, considering that I'll be a student there. Hee! (Student Center Chik-fil-A, here I come!)
It's still going to be tough - I'll have two semesters (Basic Concepts and Advanced Concepts), and I'll have class three nights a week, plus homework. And I'll have to stagger the semesters so I can fully avail myself of the reimbursement. And yanno, preserve my sanity. But my inner Hermione remembers that I used to be really fucking good at this. And I liked this. I liked school. And heaven knows that I need stimulation, and something to get excited about. Plus, this is entirely useful to my current job. I don't plan to leave anytime soon, but this way, I'm also far less limited career-wise. I've heard that there are industries out there that pay a lot more money than publishing! (Could just be a rumor, though.) The deck is stacked - there's really more of a chance that this will be a positive experience for me than a negative one.
There is still plenty to be done. I have to request a transcript from good ol' UA, and there are endless forms and applications to be filled out. I have to call my student loan people (who once complimented me on never missing or being late on a payment) and see if they can do something for me. Part of me wishes that I could be starting sooner, rather than later, but I know that it's a bad idea, and will be even worse come December, when I'll have not only finals to contend with, but year-end crap at work, AND the Christmas holidays. All I'll have to deal with in the spring is my birthday, which hopefully my classes won't conflict with (and even if they do, I'll deal.)
I'm pretty confident about this. I've never wanted to be a lawyer but I enjoy the law. I've gotten a taste of so many parts of it, and almost all of them (short of litigation) really interest me. And, as I've proven over the years, I'm a kick-ass assistant. I'm good at helping other people. I'm organized, and good at keeping things organized (mostly). So I know that this is a good fit. What's more, is that I waited to go back to school until I had something that I knew that I wanted to do and until I could actually entertain the thought without shuddering. So it's time. I'm nervous, don't get me wrong. But I really think this is a good thing for me.
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(have I mentioned that I'm considering a grad programme if I can get the boss to back me? Meep)
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As for the work/school/life balance...I feel you. I'm there. It's tough sometimes, especially if you have classes several days in a row. That leads to a cycle of suck, where it's work 9-5 (or more like 8:30 - 6 if you're like me), school 6 - 9, home by 10, then repeat x2. That kind of schedule can really kick your ass. I recommended taking two classes per semester if you can get away with it, because that won't make you totally insane. It still leaves you time for a social life.
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The cool thing is that it's only *one* class per semester, but said class meets three days a week. Both courses are overview courses, but they cover different topics as the semester progresses. Which I like - each subject gets the amount of time they deem necessary, instead of dragging out a topic that really can be covered in 3 classes.
Three days is doable, though. Four, not so much. Three I can handle, really. Your day sounds like my day (only I'm more of an 8:30-5:30 person, despite my non-summer hours being 9-5).
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I did the work full-time/go to school full time thing for approximately 3 to 4 years, and although it has many challenges, I found it generally rewarding. My biggest tip would be to finish your homework on the weekends. Although this goal was met with varying degrees of success, it took the edge off the week.
Obviously your start point is a personal decision based on your life circumstances, but if you're interested in starting earlier than spring, I'd talk to the admissions office. My experience is that SCPS/continuing ed type programs are very interested in getting potential students in the classroom ASAP.
Anyway, good luck and congrats on finding something that feels worth it.
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The plan is to do the majority of the work/reading on the weekends, yes. I figured it would take a lot of the pressure off. I figure that they'll hopefully give assignments in enough advance so that I can stay on top of things.
The reason I want to start in the Spring is for my own sanity - September-December are usually batshit in Sharon Land, but I figure I can combat the midwinter blahs with some learnin'.
Thanks!
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(not so much the paralegal part, but the "school+work+life>24hours but I'm doing it anydamnhow" part.)
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You're going to rock the shit out of this. But you knew that already, and you even knew that before I told you that already before.
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Hee! I like hearing it again anyway, so thanks for saying it!
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awesome!
Re: awesome!
(also, I can not lie - I'm so tempted to use retrieval of my transcript as an excuse to head up to Albany!)
Re: awesome!
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And happy belated bday, btw. Hope it was a fun one!