This paper examines Monique's dissatisfaction as a paralegal, tracing its roots to parental pressure, perceived exploitation, and lack of personal goals. The analysis identifies her cynical outlook and detachment from her work as symptoms of working toward others' expectations rather than her own aspirations. The paper proposes concrete strategies for reengagement, including pursuing law school, viewing her current position as a learning opportunity, building professional relationships, and developing a long-term career plan. It argues that reframing her work as a means to future goals—rather than an end in itself—can transform her attitude and career trajectory.
Perhaps the major clue to Monique's attitude towards her work comes from her father telling her that "even if we have an occasional recession, people are going to keep suing each other." This cynical observation reveals much about the values she has internalized. We are told that she is happy to get her degree so that she can satisfy her "parents' demands" that she work in the legal field. Likewise, she observes that paralegals do most of the work while attorneys make most of the money, which leads her to see herself as being exploited. Her parents have imparted to her a cynical outlook on life in general, on her station in life, and on her potential. She is a cog in a machine simply doing everything for someone else.
Her dissatisfaction becomes clearer when we examine what motivates her within the legal profession. She is not drawn to the work itself, nor to serving clients or advancing justice. Rather, she views the field purely through an economic lens shaped by her father's pragmatism. This narrow framing, combined with her perception of being used by her employer, creates a toxic combination of resentment and detachment that manifests in her lack of enthusiasm and engagement.
The paralegal role itself may not be inherently unfulfilling; many paralegals find meaning in supporting clients and the legal process. However, Monique's particular circumstances—working toward goals imposed by others rather than goals she has chosen—make her susceptible to what might be called the "zombie" phenomenon: going through the motions competently but without genuine investment or energy.
Monique's focus up to this point appears to have been satisfying other people—first her parents, and now, by her perception, the attorneys for whom she works. We are not directly informed about any goals that she personally holds or any interests that are authentically her own. She is simply doing what others have told her she should do; those have been their goals, not hers. As with most people who follow this path in life, eventually this leads to considerable dissatisfaction with their perceived station in life.
Yet the paper offers important evidence that Monique possesses genuine professional strengths. We can infer from the description that she is responsible, that she performs her duties capably, and that she wants to do her work properly. She also demonstrates higher aspirations—she desires to make more money, gain status, and be in control (evidenced by her statement that if she were closing on skyscrapers and making what the partners earn, she would be happy). These are not the complaints of an incapable or unmotivated person; they are the frustrations of someone with real talent and ambition whose energy is being directed toward objectives that do not align with her own values.
The psychological toll of this misalignment is significant. Research on intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation consistently shows that people who work primarily to satisfy external demands experience lower engagement, higher burnout, and diminished sense of meaning. Monique's situation exemplifies this pattern, and understanding it is the first step toward change.
Perhaps Monique can learn to become more engaged in her work if she begins to view it as a means to an end rather than an end in itself and rather than an opportunity to be exploited by others. The first step is for her to look at the big picture. She obviously has personal aspirations of being more than a paralegal; therefore, she should consider continuing school and trying to get into law school. This would accomplish two important things.
First, pursuing law school would help her view her current work as a learning experience and give her more energy both to perform as well as possible at work and to rise beyond her current status. Second, it could help her view her work as an opportunity to make contacts in the legal field and to develop a good reputation by presenting herself as a caring, compassionate person who would make an excellent attorney. Rather than viewing her position as exploitative, she could reframe it as professional apprenticeship.
"Career risks and the power of deliberate goal-setting"
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