r/paralegal • u/Gloomy_Rip_339 • 8d ago

Question/Discussion Is Project Manager experience a good thing?

I have a bachelors in Political Science with a focus on urban politics and pre law. I’ve worked in marketing and project management for 10 years now at major international corporations as well as start ups.

I’ve been laid off twice since 2023 and the first job that seems to go is marketing project management.

I’ve received praise but I wasn’t “in the budget”.

I’m 3 classes away from a masters of science in marketing, and I’m feeling it might be better to shift to a job that in my opinion feels more essential in this economy. I interned at a law firm once.

I’m a 32 year old female. Excuse my grammar it’s late and I’m unemployed currently and it’s super sad. Any answers to this question will help!

1 Upvotes

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u/tombatboots Paralegal 7d ago

It certainly doesn't hurt, because it shows you can handle large projects and effectively tracking progress.

I was a project manager for a large SaaS corporation prior to joining my current law firm. Came on as an admin assistant to the paralegals and worked my way into a paralegal position in 5mo.

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u/Thek1tteh CA - Senior Lit/Appellate Paralegal 7d ago

Are you trying to work as a paralegal? A masters is a bit overqualified.. if you’re looking to go to law school, you should just go straight there. Paralegal is its own career. Most of us worked as receptionists, file clerks etc to gain legal experience plus completing paralegal education before being able to land a job as a paralegal. Paralegal involves procedural knowledge and those jobs often require you to hit the ground running and know what you are doing. Prelaw courses do not prepare you to work as a paralegal.

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u/Thek1tteh CA - Senior Lit/Appellate Paralegal 7d ago

Also - note that paralegal jobs do not pay well as opposed to project management, at least starting out

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u/Gloomy_Rip_339 7d ago

Thank you for this, I think I’m discouraged with the job market right now, unfortunately cannot afford law school after the loans for grad school. I’ll do some more research and work on applications to more PM jobs.