u/salmorejoboi

I’m been working as a paralegal at a very small removal defensive immigration law firm in a medium to high cost of living city in the northeast. I graduated college about a year ago and have been working at the firm for six months, during which time I have become MUCH better at my job.

I work full time and do a million different things for the attorney I work under, including: drafting simple motions in immigration court, helping clients gather evidence and put together their submissions prior to trial/asylum interviews, handing all scheduling and most client communication, submitting FOIA requests, providing interpretation in a very relevant language for our client demographic, coordinating interpreters, coordinating forensic medical exams, taking payments, notarizing documents (I became a notary for the role) and a litany of other random projects, which are constant because immigration law seems to change every day ATM. I stay late whenever needed and honestly feel like I’m a great employee and always do whatever my boss asks, no matter how random and completely out of my wheelhouse it may be.

I will also say that this work is pretty sad and intensely frustrating considering the current administration , though it is personally very rewarding for me. Many of my days are spent hearing about the absolute worst things that human beings are capable of doing to each other. I’m fairly sure I want to go in this practice area after law school (currently applying) and am gaining invaluable experience, but with how much shit costs the salary is pretty tough.

I started at 23 dollars an hour and have stayed there. 8 days PTO, no sick days, 4% 401k match (that I don’t take advantage of since I really can’t contribute anything to my 401k), and pretty crappy health insurance( which I also don’t take advantage bcs I’m on my parents). I’m on track to make maybe 45k this year.