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Private law firms employed 7 out of 10 paralegals and legal assistants; most of the remainder worked for corporate legal departments and various levels of government. |
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About 60 percent of court reporters worked for State and local governments, a reflection of the large number of court reporters working in courts, legislatures, and various agencies. |
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In May 2004, full-time wage and salary paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $39,130. |
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| (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Legal Assistants and Court Reporters) |
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| Schools in Business Articles |
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| Career Research Leads to Job Satisfaction |
| by Robyn Tellefsen |
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You wouldn't buy a house sight unseen, would you? Perhaps the price is right, the location is good, and the extras are appealing (two-car garage, anyone?). But if you don't see it firsthand, you'll never know that there's water damage in the basement, the so-called three bedrooms look more like two bedrooms and a closet, and the roof of that two-car garage is on the verge of collapsing.
The same is true for your career. Accounting may sound like a good bet because it pays well, there are plenty of job openings, and you can find work close to home. These are important considerations, but if you don't find out first if accounting is a good career fit for you, your chances of job satisfaction are slim.
According to a recent Conference Board survey, less than 39 percent of workers under the age of 25 are satisfied with their current employment situation. Often, that's because students haven't done their Career Research and determined what factors comprise a good career fit for them as individuals.
A high salary, convenient location, and flexible schedule are great selling points, but they shouldn't be the sole focus of your career research. You might take a job that offers a higher starting salary than any of your other prospects, but that salary could come at great cost if you find the work unfulfilling.
To combat this potential lack of job satisfaction, you need to do career research to understand what differentiates one job from another and what factors are necessary for it to be a good career fit for your unique self. Consider your own skills, abilities, and interests first. You may be a math whiz, but do you truly enjoy working with numbers? Which aspects of your daily activities do you find rewarding? Once you have a better idea of your specific workplace needs and desires, you'll be better equipped to make a good career decision.
Which factors should take center stage in your career research? The education, training, and experience-level required should be a key aspect; you won't find job satisfaction when you're under- or over-qualified for the position. Daily responsibilities and working conditions are also important factors in your career research.
You can certainly read about a career, but don't stop there. Job shadowing, internships, and informational interviews can give you a much more in-depth look at what a job is really like from day to day.
If you wouldn't buy a house without seeing it first, give the same consideration to your livelihood. Your career research will pay dividends in job satisfaction.
About the author:
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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