Obtaining a Degree in Jurisprudence

¶ … obtaining a degree in jurisprudence and becoming a practicing international attorney are longtime dreams of mine. To attain this goal, I intend to begin studying law by next year. Becoming a paralegal is, in my view, a tool to learn the intricacies and practical applications of the law, thereby affording me a greater understanding than the average law student and, thus placing me at an advantage in a highly competitive field of study.

I first became interested in the law upon joining the military. It is not a stretch to have a strong desire to defend our country turn into a passion for the laws that govern our freedoms, rights, and obligations. Further, it is imperative that our country be represented internationally by professionals who have had the opportunity to engage with diverse cultures and backgrounds. Although everyday law may be simply finding the rule and applying it, overall the law is subject to change and interpretation both intra and internationally. Rules and laws may be interpreted differently based upon ones cultural norms, therefore it is important to have a fundamental understanding of legal principles.

Although my background has primarily consisted of administrative duties and not the law, I feel that a great deal of the paralegals' responsibilities center around the administrative aspects of the law. By becoming a paralegal, I will be utilizing both my organizational and administrative background and skills. And, it is precisely these skills which make me an ideal candidate as a paralegal. Upon becoming a paralegal, I may then begin to make use of the administrative and organizational skills I already possess to enhance my knowledge of the law.

Further, other than my many years of experience in administrative positions, I have the advantage of many years in the military in general. Essentially, the law is a vast set of rules to be applied evenly and fairly across varying cultures. The military acts in many ways the same. In this case, however, soldiers from varying cultures must conform to strict sets of rules to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of other soldiers and civilians, and to protect and defend the very Constitution upon which our Democracy is based. Many years of living by these rules has ingrained in me a respect and understanding of rules and laws that many will never understand or appreciate.