Sounds strange, but it’s true, according a new comprehensive ranking of jobs by JobsRated.com.
Five different criteria were used in the rankings:
- Stress
- Work Environment
- Physical Demands
- Income
- Outlook
Although lawyers made more money than paralegals, other job factors brought lawyers way down on the list.
Debra Cassens Weiss of the ABA Journal explains,
Lawyers and stockbrokers, ranked 84th, both did poorly, and the reason is stress, the editors say. “Attorneys and stockbrokers may earn considerably more than bookbinders or telephone repair technicians [ranked 83rd and 81st respectively], but these high-powered careers are hurt by anxiety, as both rank among the 20 most stressful jobs on our list.â€
So once you’ve finally paid off your law school debts, you might want to start searching for a new job – as a paralegal.
Having been a paralegal for over a year before I started my articles, I can attest to the fact that paralegals get to dodge some of the stress that lawyers must absorb and process. In my experience, the main advantage was the fact that, in the end, I was “just following orders” no matter how problematic those orders were, and I just wasn’t on the hook for the screw-ups made by those ostensibly in charge. I also made about 1/3 more in salary than I am as an articled student. From what I’ve heard from paralegals in big firms, they’re worked like dogs, but they’re paid for every minute (including overtime).
Of course, I longed for the day when I would have conduct and control of my own files (and wouldn’t have to try to work with the barely-managed mess that most lawyers’ files are). I’m still longing for that day. Perhaps when I reach it, I’ll be longing for the days when I could just hand the responsibility back to someone else at 5pm.
Can someone tell me wether it was worth it to be a paralegal? Did it help with getting into law school? I have about a 2.5 GPA and I want to know how long I should be a paralegal before I try to get into a law school. Also when should I take the LSAT with a person in my position?? Thanks and any advice would be appreciated.
Excellent blog. Intentionally not finishing law school and staying a paralegal is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. My paralegal business is as stressful or as stress-free as I choose to make it.
Excellent article. I do have a better job than most lawyers in Los Angeles, and they even tell me so!