PM me if you are - tell me if I should be a member also. Or if I should get an ALS/PLS certification.

PM me if you are - tell me if I should be a member also. Or if I should get an ALS/PLS certification.

I'm not a member--not in the legal profession (have temped in law offices, though). But it strikes me that it would be an excellent idea for you since you are looking for work (right?) and having that one your resume if one thing, but actually being able to network with other legal professionals would be great :thumbsup:

Hey Jaynyne :waving:

Maybe it's a confidence thing. I never went to college, meaning I don't have a diploma that says I'm officially anything. Everything I've learned over the years has been on-the-job training - my insurance experience, my legal secretary experience. And I'm sure that the things I've learned on the job aren't nearly all the things I should know. Some things just don't come up in this area of the country. For example, a supreme court appeal. It just happens so rarely in this area, that neither of us have experience with it. If I had been officially trained (education), it might not be so hard.

Maybe the certifications would be helpful in lieu of the schooling. The job I recently sent an app for wanted "legal secretarial degree or equivalent certification preferred".

ALS/PLS study materials alone would cost over $200. That's why it would be nice to talk to someone who's actually gone thru the online courses, before investing in the materials. The closest town (to me) where exams are held in is a good 6 hours away.

Hey Jaynyne :waving:

Maybe it's a confidence thing. I never went to college, meaning I don't have a diploma that says I'm officially anything. Everything I've learned over the years has been on-the-job training - my insurance experience, my legal secretary experience. And I'm sure that the things I've learned on the job aren't nearly all the things I should know.

What you learn in school is not "all you should know" either, FWIW. I have no doubt that your knowledge & experience is worth quite a lot.

And BTW, I do have a few diplomas, and the only thing they say I officially am is in way too much school debt. Don't put too much stock in schooling alone.

Some things just don't come up in this area of the country. For example, a supreme court appeal. It just happens so rarely in this area, that neither of us have experience with it. If I had been officially trained (education), it might not be so hard.

Maybe the certifications would be helpful in lieu of the schooling. The job I recently sent an app for wanted "legal secretarial degree or equivalent certification preferred".

Well, this is just getting into the "no one really knows how to hire" discussion again. If I had to choose between you and your real experience and a new grad with no experience, I can tell you who I would lean towards.

ALS/PLS study materials alone would cost over $200. That's why it would be nice to talk to someone who's actually gone thru the online courses, before investing in the materials. The closest town (to me) where exams are held in is a good 6 hours away.

Yeah, after I posted I thought about the costs involved and realized that's probably the reason you're hesistating.

But, I guess you would need to hear from people with the certifications or membership to see if that has indeed helped them get a job somewhere. I hope you can find someone who can help you there! Lots and lots of luck.