Kay Jue
Paralegal
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Getting two internships while I was in college distinguished me from other recent graduates and is the reason I got my first job in journalism.
Deciding to specialize as a reporter covering courts was an important career path that I followed. I originally thought I'd cover politics but it turned out I hated it.
Switching to TV news from newspapers was an important career decision. It broadened my work experience and writing for TV news actually improved my writing.
I had hoped to go into management in TV news. It didn't happen so I left and worked in public relations for a long time, specializing in law firms and law schools.
Social media happened, changing the field of public relations. It didn't interest me so because I've always loved law, I decided to go back to school to be a paralegal.
Paralegal school was one of the best things I ever did. I loved it. Very different being in school in your 50s than in your 20s.
Had two internships while in paralegal school. The second one became a paying job when I got my certificate. The attorneys really liked that I knew how to write. That was seven years ago.
I work for the same attorney who hired me out of paralegal school. He likes my skills but I think he especially likes that I love learning about the law. I don't have to work; I do because I like it
Education
High School
Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills
Bachelor
B.A. Journalism/Political Science
California State University-Long Beach
B.A. Journalism/Political Science
California State University-Long Beach
Certification/License
Paralegal
UCLA Extension
Paralegal
UCLA Extension
Career
Paralegal
I primarily do research and help attorneys write and edit documents for their clients.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Law
Writing
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
I work part-time as a paralegal in a mid-size law firm in the corporate and securities law department. Typical day is taking assignments from attorneys, which can be anything from legal research and writing legal briefs and motions to filling out government forms.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Internships.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
B.A. Journalism/Political Science
B.A. Journalism/Political Science
Certification/License
Paralegal
Paralegal
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"I'd never be able to get a job in journalism. "
