My major is Paralegal Studies and I plan to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree in December of this year. Many years ago, as an investigator for both a private company and a provincial agency, I was introduced to the legal field. I was recently given the opportunity to attend university, so I decided I wanted to re-enter the legal profession as a paralegal. The profession of paralegal attracts me because I enjoy the processes of developing a case, as well as its legal aspects. A paralegal is involved in a case from start to finish; from the initial client interview to assisting the attorney during the client's trial or settlement process. My goal is to become a paralegal for a solo practitioner or small firm in my area representing clients in several areas of law. The paralegal profession developed as legal secretaries took on additional duties to help lawyers with their workload. The paralegal performs legal duties under the supervision of an attorney who maximizes attorney productivity and cost efficiency in providing legal services. Paralegals work in many different types of law firms, corporations, or government agencies in many areas of law (Hollingshead). All duties performed by a paralegal are under the supervision of an attorney who is responsible for the paralegal's conduct. In fact, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals defines paralegals or paralegals [used synonymously] as a person qualified by education, training, or work experience, who is employed or contracted by a lawyer, law firm, corporation, government agency, or another entity that carries out specific substantive delegated legal work for which an attorney is responsible (ABA). In class we learn... half the paper... cents between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Paralegal jobs in some areas of law are negatively affected by the business cycle and recessions, but areas such as bankruptcy may not be affected (Bureau). My internship with a lawyer specializing in bankruptcy law confirms this assumption. A paralegal must possess people skills, legal research and writing skills, investigative skills, and strong organizational skills to be successful in this profession. Cassandra Oliver, a senior paralegal at a large firm, says paralegals are organized, detailed, flexible, and possess the ability to multitask (Hollingshead). As an investigator, I used many of the necessary skills and, through classes, developed legal research and writing skills. I will learn the ethical responsibilities that my internship didn't teach me in my ethics class this fall.