Two years ago, I started college.
A little late in the game, being 25 and all, but I never planned to attend any post-secondary programs. I never really had any career plans after high school, and had aspired to just find any old cozy job, probably answering phones.
After my divorce, I really felt the lack of legal services in the area. My ex and I had to drive the three hours each way to Kenora to keep the process rolling. Plus, I needed something to fill up my day after my son started kindergarten that same year. So, I began to search for programs I could take to jump into the legal field.
I searched for a couple weeks for a program that felt right, but didn’t find what I wanted. Then I saw an obviously targeted Facebook ad for a one-year accelerated paralegal program.
See, while the world may have been closed down because of COVID, the paralegal program had to be offered online for the first time ever to accommodate. I caught a lucky break so to speak, but it was in an online college based in Sudbury, an hour ahead of me.
From October 2020 to June 2021, I woke up at 5:50 a.m. to attend my 6 o'clock class, all the while getting my son ready for school and doing my other work. I had to do my required textbook reading every night after my son went to bed.
It was a tough year, that’s no lie. If I’m being honest, I’m grateful that it was online for a lot of reasons, but my favorite being that I could nap during lectures...
After graduation, I spent the following six months studying my way through the 900-page licensing exam materials. And in February, I set up to do the 4-hour exam; from the comfort of my bed/office.
I didn’t get the results of that exam until April, and I passed!
Between April and August there was so much paperwork and back and forth, but I finally got my license.
So now here I am, actually licensed and ready to practice. I have been working through a business startup program and operating under the watchful eye of my well-known mentor. I have worked two cases and amid the fear of being the one in charge, it’s been a real thrill.
Having gone from not knowing what I wanted to be, to now becoming a business owner!
The journey has been long and taxing, but I look back and feel so much pride for what I’ve done over the last two years. It feels like everything just fell into place. From the divorce, to the COVID pandemic, to my little son starting school. I was able to turn every part of the messiest time of my life into a part of my path.
I am learning to love every challenge that stands in front of me. I am enjoying this new chapter of my life, and getting used to being a newly licensed paralegal.
So, ready, set, go; I am open for business!
