Announcing the Winner of the Spring 2024 Paralegal Division Scholarship

By the Scholarship Committee and Communications Committee

The Scholarship Committee had several excellent student essays submitted for the Spring 2024 Paralegal Division Student Scholarship. This fall’s topic was “The Importance of Networking: Building Connections in the Working World.” The Paralegal Division is proud to announce that Lathie Forrester is the winner of the Spring 2024 Scholarship. Below, you can learn more about Lathie and read her essay.

Thank you to all the students who submitted essays. We look forward to your submissions for the 2024 Fall Scholarship!

Lathie is a student at Gaston Community College, and she is working toward her degree in Paralegal Technology. Previously, Lathie obtained a general Associate of Arts degree from Gaston Community College in 2016, then transferred to UNC Charlotte, where she received a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in psychology in 2018.

Prior to embarking on working towards a career as a paralegal, Lathie worked as an office coordinator at a funeral home for several years. She then obtained a job with Gaston County as a Finance Administrative Assistant, where she was eventually promoted to a Legal Assistant role. Lathie says she has really enjoyed the legal field and is very proactive in the workforce. In her current role, her employer has encouraged her to become a paralegal, and her goal is to become an NC Certified Paralegal.

When asked how technology has changed her job, Lathie stated that Lexis Nexis is new to her, and she just started using it. She loves using Lexis Nexis and has become a certified user.

Some people will be surprised to learn that Lathie started something new that only her family and close co-workers know. She began Brazilian jiujitsu at Gaston Jiu Jitsu Academy. According to Wikipedia, Brazilian jiujitsu, also known as BJJ, is a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. Her employer offered a self-defense class, and she went to every class she could. After the employer sessions ended, she continued going, and she absolutely loves it.

Lathie’s advice for anyone thinking of becoming a paralegal is that “it may not instantly click at first, but the more you’re in it, the more it makes sense.”

Lathie’s Essay

The Importance of Networking: Building Connections in the Working World

Networking plays a vital role in the world of employment. What exactly is networking? According to Merriam-Webster, networking is “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.”

Most people would agree that humans require some form of relationship with others within their personal life. So, it would be safe to determine these relationships are a necessity in the professional world as well. Making connections and building relationships with others is an essential component to a successful career or business. Networking allows individuals, and businesses, to enhance their skill sets by learning from others, while possibly opening the door to new opportunities. One individual, or business, cannot know everything. Therefore, we rely on others to teach us what we do not know, or we rely on them to perform the task at hand. Not only does this benefit the direct individuals involved, but it also benefits others indirectly. Networking enhances performance by obtaining the knowledge necessary to be productive and efficient, especially in the world of a paralegal. Paralegals are like a toolbox to a handyman; they must possess the right tools to be ready to tackle any task. By networking with a variety of individuals, you can obtain all the tools one would need in the legal field.

One of the most beneficial groups to connect with are experienced legal attorneys, lawyers, and even other paralegals who have been in the field for a long time. Connecting with these adept individuals can be intense. Most of them have profound knowledge to share, and it can be overwhelming at times. However, you can learn so much from their experiences. They can be a great resource when you encounter a situation you may have never faced before, or do not have enough familiarity with. It is difficult to learn something in a day, but the more you associate yourself with these individuals and their experiences, the more you will be able to commit to memory. These individuals are great resources for “real-life” scenarios. Another beneficial group to connect with are legal professors and scholars. They are a wonderful resource for the technical items you may encounter as a paralegal. Legal professors and scholars are valuable to aid with proper citations, grammar, language, research assistance, and so on.

Networking is a very important process that benefits any individual involved. This is a crucial step in someone’s career, as it can lead to greater opportunities or to improve a person where they are. It is always encouraged to network with others if provided the opportunity.