It all started like this.

I can't believe this has finally arrived ! I just got my college diploma from Ahuntsic College. I spent 3 years studying Paralegal Technology and now I have to make the biggest decision that will determine my future.

Choice 1 : I go to university.

Choice 2 : I will apply for a job.

Choice 3 : I decided to travel.

I will go to university.

I look forward pursuing my studies at University. I applied to University of Ottawa because it is bilingual. So, I can study in French and in English.

Choice 1 : Life of a perfect student.

Choice 2 : What went wrong.

Life of a perfect student.

My first year went very well. I passed all of my classes and I pulled of straight A's. Also, I was working at the library of the University, and I was volunteering at a juvenile center. I was helping young offender to get a lawyer. Law school was very consuming so, I really used my time management efficiently to avoid a burnout and to maintain a good relationship with my family and friends. I can rest now because it is summer and I can go back in Quebec to work.

Choice 1 : Start again

The other side at U of Ottawa.

I enjoyed my first year at the University of Ottawa but not for my class. It was very maddening for me to do my homework and to study. Since I was at the same school with my friend, we were always going to party Friday night instead of doing my homework.On Mondays, I was always late for my class. At the end of the first semester, I couldn't do the final's exam because I have missed a lot of class. I put aside my studies and I decided to travel. Now I have many choices !!

Choice 1 : Internship

Big step to the job market.

Getting my DEC degree was a foot in the door because I got many job opportunities. I was working in the youth room at the courthouse. I did my internship there for 15 weeks and after they hired me. I learned the ropes with my trainer like how to plea a hearing. Five years later, I still love my work environment. Sometimes, I have to deal with colleagues that are withholding information about cases. More often than not, they are hindering the productivity of the firm. What should I do?

Choice 1 : My decision

Volunteering turned into a nightmare.

I quit law school, and I decided to work to save money. I knew that it was a dead-end job paying the premium wage but I kept showing to work because I wanted to go Volunteer abroad. Years later, I was on a plane to an unknown country.I arrived and I went directly to join the camp director. He explained what I will be doing for the 12 weeks. I took care of children who were in an orphanage. For example, I was in charge of their adoption procedure and I had to be sure that the adoption respects the law. One evening, our orphanage was attacked by a rebel group and several children, little girls to be precise, we were kidnapped. They raped us, they made excision on the little girls. It was traumatic. I kept some after-effects and the girls too.

Choice 1 : Sart again

What would you do for money?

At the moment, I didn't quit my job. I wanted to take a leave of absence for illness but I changed my mind. I am able to ignore my coworkers. I loved the compensation package that I was earning. In fact, I applied for the vacant position as a lead paralegal. My new position had a lot of work to do. I was working day and night, and sometimes I was sleeping at work. I became closer to one of my coworkers. He was the only that wasn't trying to undermine my work. In the beginning, we were only flirting but my coworker starts to insist. It was sexual harassment and it was hard to work knowing that my perpetrator is in the next office. I deterred is misconduct many times, but He didn't stop. What should I do?

Choice 1 : The roles are reversed.

Choice 2 : I quit for real time !

The roles are reversed.

At first, I went to see the Human resource, and I explained the situation. I had one witness with me and I gave them evidence like the text messages that He was sending me, I told them to watch the video surveillance. They found a solution and gave me compensation money. My perpetrator got fired. After that, I decided to quit my job and to create my firm because I was dreaded by everything that happened.

Choice 1 : Opening a new chapter.

New job.

I decided to quit my job. I was so shocked by everything that happened. I applied to university to become a lawyer and to have my firm. At 22 years old, I was back on the school bench to get my degree. After seven years of leg and hard work, lack of sleep, and a lot of cries, my dream has come true. Now I have to run a business and to practice law. I can choose my client and what cases I want to work on. As years go on, I gained experience as a lawyer and I had many clients, so It was harder for me to manage all of that by myself.

Choice 1 : New associate

Choice 2 : Moving forward.

Gap year.

When I got my diploma, I was happy because I was done with college. I knew what I wanted to study but I wasn't sure. I didn't want to start university feeling that isn't worthwhile and either I didn't want to work and feel alienated. I dared myself a trip to Europe. I always wanted to visit that continent. It was the right time to do it.

Choice 1 : Travel alone.

I learned how to trust.

I was so traumatized by what happened when I was working as a paralegal that I couldn't have coworkers. But I was working overtime and spending time writing procedure and to write contracts that I forgot my friends and my family. I decided to hire students for internships and associates that fit with my firm's mission. Those associates were my colleagues at law school. With my team, I reduce mistakes and I delegate work easier. Work was easier and fun with new associates.

Choice 1 : Start again.

My trip.

I have visited Europe for two months. I learned a new culture, I learned Spanish and I met new people. It was a fun trip. I can now go back to school.

Choice 1 : Last day.

Last day.

It was my last day in Scotland. My flight was at 9 p.m., and I was on my way to the airport in the taxi. There was traffic and of course, I missed my flight. I had to go back to my hotel which was at 2 hours of drive. I did not know what I was going to do. I was hopeless. I met a man that helped me to find where I was going to sleep.

Choice 1 : Don't follow people you don't know.

Think before.

So, I left the airport with that guy from France. I didn't think before making my decision, and I was tired. I slept in the car, and a police siren woke me up.

Choice 1 : Dangerous situation.

I ended up in jail.

I was accused of helping the guy to rob a bank! I am in a foreign country where I don't know the law. I explained everything to my public defender, and I was released without any charge. After being released, I called my uncle from France for him to buy my flight. I stayed in France for 2 weeks. After that, I was back in Montreal. I learned a lot during my trip from my good experiences and from the bad one.

Choice 1 : Start again.

Retirement.

It is time for me to hang up my lawyer gown and to transfer my firm to another attorney. After more than 40 years of practice, it's time for me to make room for young lawyers. I am sad because I leave a big family behind, but I am happy for a new life that will begin. I am done paying my mortgage's house. I can now travel, write a book, volunteer in a school, and have fun. I am sure that my new life in retirement will be great because I saved money for it.

Choice 1 : Start again.