Week 3 (post 2)

I can't believe school is over now.  When I started at Conestoga I was very unsure of how I was going to keep up.  I remember going into orientation, and the 2^nd year students scared the jeepers out of me. They said that I would basically have no time for anything in life, except for school and that I would have to give up my weekends and do homework. When I heard that I freaked out a little, because I was not willing to sacrifice my family, and my weekends. I just knew that I needed to manage my time wisely.

First year was a breeze. I didn’t think that anything in first year was super overwhelming or anything. It just required effort, as everything does in life. My favourite classes were the hands-on Computer software classes, and I learned so much new things about the Microsoft Office programs. The only thing that was hard for me was when I had to wake up at 6 am to catch the bus with my then 3 year old in -30 weather but I got a car for second semester, so that was much better.  After first year, I felt better prepared to be a receptionist, but honestly that did not feel like a career, or anything special to me. I knew that I needed more to actually feel like I had something. 

Many of you know I took a year off because I got pregnant. Even so, I really wanted to finish school, so I made it my mission to do so.  For second year, I was worried I had forgotten everything, and lost all my previous work. Thankfully, Mrs. Bradley and Jenny were both so helpful, that I was able to get back on track.  Even with that though, third semester was HARD! Apart from having a 3 children (husband included), the school work load was heavy.  I actually found myself doing homework until 3 am some days. Likewise, I adapted the same mind set as first year, to do everything as soon as it was assigned.  It was still overwhelming, but I managed to survive (Zombie mode). The things we learned in second year were what made it all real to me. Being able to come home and explain the process of a civil suit, or a divorce was the cherry on top. I finally felt that all my efforts were worth something. 

When I started looking for a placement, I was really concerned because before attending school I tried so hard to look for a job, and no one would hire me. Those fears are real guys but I was surprised that when asked what we had done in school, I was able to provide a fairly impressive list of related documents we prepared in school.  That made me feel prepared for the job AND I thank God that the first place that I interviewed at gave me the co-op placement, AND also hired me on!  So officially, as of 2:30 pm last Thursday, I am the legal assistant at Pope & Valois. yay!

After school, and my co-op, I do feel prepared to do this job. I have now started to prepared documents, such as reporting letters and responses to requisitions.  I feel comfortable with this because I am putting to action all the learned knowledge from school.  I still have a few questions, but that is normal when you are starting. I like the career I have chosen and I am happy with it.  I feel it fits with my lifestyle, my personality, and my abilities.  

I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s blogs. It has been a really nice way of keeping up to date, and learning how things are done in other offices. When I read about someone getting hired on, it genuinely makes me happy.  I love that we are succeeding in our career.

I guess this is my last post.  I just wanted to say that I made it through school without ever doing homework on the weekend! Ha!

Anyways, thank you for everyone who helped me with homework, and in class.  Thanks for being nice to me at the beginning of second year and welcoming me.  Especially Mrs. Bradley, who was so supportive, helpful and genuinely cared for our success! 

We made it guys, yippee!

Week 3 (post 1)

Hello Week 3 has begun, and is almost done actually.  Short week. 

This week I did something new through Conveyancer.  We were closing a condominium and the condo corporation is very particular on how they want things done.  In Conveyancer, in the mortgage tab, a link appeared that signs you into an online account on convey.com.  Through this link we were able to obtain and upload all the documents required.  So, for this specific transaction everything had to be done electronically, which I thought was very interestingly modern. Although, it was quite a tedious task to scan all of our paper documents and upload them, as it took quite a long time. 

I use Outlook more than any other software.  I use it for emails, of course, and I used the Calendar to input all the appointments, and reminders.  Every day I create a to-do lists in the task bar, and make sure I complete all of things on my list.  I have started to create a contact list for frequently called contacts. I find this to be the most effective way for me, right now.

The area where I find myself having difficulty in is the legal terminology. I have received calls from Law Clerks from other offices, asking for documents or questions using legal terms and most of the time I have no idea what they are asking for.  If Ms. Valois is there, I place them on hold and ask her. If she is not, I kindly as them to provide more detail.  So far, no one has gotten frustrated with me, and most are understanding. I mean, they have all had to start somewhere too! 

I think a current major weakness that I don’t exactly know the job to an expert level, and so I am constantly second guessing myself and asking questions.  Thankfully, Ms. Valois, has been very patient and helpful. Asking questions and having someone explain things to me, is how I learn. So, I do feel I am understanding it better as time goes by, and soon enough I will be able to work alone and unsupervised!

Week 2 (post 2)

  

  R E F L E C T I O N

What resources are you using at your placement? 

At my placement I am using the software previously discussed, and to find other info I am able to use the internet. Google is my best friend! I also have a couple of list of important phone numbers that I may need frequently, such as banks and other Lawyer's offices. I have used these lists already.

Review the list of responsibilities submitted by you before your placement.  Indicate whether the list was accurate or whether you were exposed to different responsibilities or did fewer than were listed. 

So far I am doing everything given to me, except for using PC Law.  When I first started I opened a couple of files in PC Law.  I haven't done that since, but I believe it is because I am the only one working now, as before there were two of us.

What do you consider two of your strengths?  How are you using them to your advantage at this placement?

One of the strengths is definetly Organizational.  Since I have started working here, I try to keep everything neat and organized. I have managed to file all the papers that were piled up, and that is something that I keep up with.  That pleases my boss very much. 

The second strength that I would mention is what makes me stand out from other candidates, and it is that I am bilingual in Spanish and English. The lawyer I work for is the same, so she has quite a few Spanish speaking clients, and they have begun asking form someone who speaks Spanish.  It feels nice to be requested. hehe.  

That being said, I left week two feeling much better about my job.  I feel more confident and I feel better about what I am doing and what my role is. We shall see what week three brings my way!!! 

Week 2 (part I)

The work week is half way through now, and I am doing very well in my job.  This week has been less hectic than my first week. When I returned on Monday I was given my own work desk, and was allowed to re-arrange it to my personal style. I didn't really re-arrange anything, just organized it a little. The girl that was working here before has left, and Ms. Valois has asked if I am available to work after my co-op placement. We are scheduled for a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the particulars. I am quite excited, and I feel extremely blessed! 

So far, the software I have been using has been The Conveyancer, Outlook, and Word Perfect. I feel comfortable with both The Conveyancer and Outlook, as we used these programs frequently in school. As for Word Perfect, I am finding it rather difficult to navigate because the layout is different than what I am used to, but I know that with time it will get easier. 

The firm I am working it is very small.  It is just me and the lawyer. The first thing we did when I arrived on Monday was sit down with the Lawyer and make sure that our agendas match. This keeps both her, and I on the same page. I like keeping a physical agenda as well as electronically, so I inserted all those appointment into my outlook calendar as well. That helps me keep more organized and top on things, something I definitely learned in school.  Once that was done I gathered all the files that will be closing or need requisitions to be prepared this week, and those files are separated from all the other files, as we will be working on them throughout the week. As the day progressed there were many phone calls to be answered and made, documents to be copied and faxed, and information that needs to be input into the computer.  My job is a basically a "Jack of all trades" as they say and so far I don't mind it.  I quite like it! 

To date, I have prepared letters, and emails.  I have printed out many documents that are produced in conveyancer, such as Fax cover sheets, Statement of Adjustments, Closing Documents etc.  I have prepared an affidavit for a will, and affidavit for Power of Attorney.  Most of the other documents have already been prepared and need only a review and date change.

I interact with clients every day, as I answer the phones. I feel I have been doing fairly well.  So far, I have encountered only one person who was very rude to me on the phone, and I placed her on hold and let Ms. Valois speak with her. Either than that, I feel that if you are nice and friendly, people will respond in the same manner.  I also understand that Real Estate can be quite stressful, and sometimes you just need a little patience with people.

So yea. That’s all for now. I hope everyone else is doing great!!   

Week One (Part 2)

School Related Reflection

During my first week at Pope & Valois, I came across many things that we had not learned in our Real Estate class yet. I felt a little confused because I did not understand the documents I encountered. After learning about Statement of Adjustments, Directions, Consents, and other documents, I feel better prepared to work in Real Estate.

Personally, I think going to school was great. I will definitely miss going to class and, having Monday's off.  Nonetheless, I do feel that I learned so much!

During school-learning experience, I think that tests and quizzes are easier when you know what material to study.  Whether they were frequent or not, when you have written notes it is better to study and understand. I found that, to me, it didn't matter the frequency, I just needed to feel prepared.

The portfolio was great in that it allowed me to study the process of how things are done. Even though it was stressful to assembled, it made me do research, discuss my findings with my class mates, and allowed me to put the process in my own words.  That was great because when you work on something so hard, it is pretty difficult to forget it!

Now that classes are over what I am most looking forward to is... No homework!

Week One (part I)

I am doing my co-op work placement with Pope & Valois Law Office in Waterloo.  For reading week, I worked the entire week full-time, and it was quite an experience. Ms. Valois specializes in real estate.  The office of Ms. Valois is located inside the office of Lowes, Salmon & Gadbois. So whoever gets that placement opportunity will be seeing me around quite often. J

On my first day, I arrived and Ms. Valois gave me a tour of the office, while introducing me to everyone who was working there.  All the legal assistants and lawyers were very nice and welcoming. You could tell they all get along well. I could definitely tell that even though they all get along well, when they arrive to the office their focus is their work.

Ms. Valois showed me the desk where I would be spending most of my day. It is a half cubicle, with a desk, phone, computer, printer, and office supplies. It is only half a cubicle so I can hear when Ms. Valois calls, since I will working directly with her. There are also pictures of a family on the desk, and that is because Ms. Valois has a part-time legal assistant who works on that desk.

I was not given a handbook of office procedure, and I believe it is because Ms. Valois knows that I have been taught all this information in school already, which I have. I was just instructed on how to answer and operate the phone, what the process of taking messages are, how Ms. Valois likes to BF her files, and what to do when we receive documents.  

When I walk in to the office in the morning, Ms. Valois has emailed a list of things to do, which I put into a task list on Outlook and color coordinate. The reason why I color coordinate my task list, and add notes, is because the day is really busy and things come up where I have to do drop what I am doing and address the situation, but I have to come back and finish what I am working on. I am then to check the fax for any correspondence addressed to Pope & Valois. That correspondence is to be attached to the corresponding file and put on my Ms. Valois tower, as she needs review all correspondence before it is filed. All the while I must answer the phone, if it rings, and take down messages.  I also entered new clients into Conveyancer, and PCLaw. I worked unsupervised until Ms. Valois comes in to the office.  

At the beginning of the week I was a little overwhelmed with everything I had to do because some of the stuff we were still learning in our real estate class.  Towards the end of the week I felt a little more confident and do believe that I can definitely do this job. I am quite excited about the future. 

Next post I will discuss how I feel school prepared me for this work week....stay tuned! 

Interview

Over the weekend I was contacted by one of the firms I applied to.  The interview was scheduled for today at 2:00 p.m.  It is small firm that specializes in Real Estate, Wills, and Estates. The reason why I applied to this specific firm is because the Lawyer is bi-lingual.  Like me, she is fluent in English and Spanish.

The interview went well.  We began the interview in English and ended it in Spanish, it was wonderful!  She asked about my experience and schooling. I told her about all the experience I had in the administrative field, and everything I had learned in school.  She was quite impressed, which is always a good thing.

The Lawyer then explained to me all the duties of the Legal Assistant at her firm, and what she looked for in a Legal Assistant.  It was as if I was sitting in class and Mrs. Bradley was giving a lecture on the Role of a Legal Assistant. Yep, all the things we have learned will be applied in the field,

Towards the end of the interview, the Lawyer confirmed that I, indeed, could do my co-op placement at her firm.  Yay!