The beginning.

There's not much time left before I graduate from high school. I met a guidance counselor, and she said that I would be a good lawyer. I had already thought about this profession and I think I would love being an expert of the laws. I even have excellent grades, straight A's in every subject. The problem is even I'm good at school, I don't know if I should continue studying or just stay a waitress. I make good money with this dead-end job. I now have to do a choice for my future! Should I make the most of my academic talent by going in science or should I do a technique of a subject that interests me a lot or should I drop out of school and remain a waitress?

Choice 1 : I go to Science at Montmorency College.

Choice 2 : I go do a legal technique in Ahuntsic.

Choice 3 : Remain a waitress.

I go to Science at Montmorency College.

The first session was easy, and I really liked what I learned, but the second session is really more difficult. The workload is immense and the subjects are much more difficult. I am no longer able to sleep well and eat well because of all this stress. Something must be done to remedy this situation. I can either extend my time at CEGEP, so I will have fewer lessons per session or I don't change anything and get through it. The deadline for dropping out of classes is tomorrow! What choice do I take?

Choice 1 : I am extending my time at CEGEP.

Choice 2 : Go through.

I go do a legal technique in Ahuntsic.

I am about to finish my technique, there are only 2 months left. I loved all of it, but my favourite part of the program was the few internships that I had, where I learned the ropes. I was able to understand better what was the job of a paralegal and it made me doubt if I really wanted to become a lawyer or just stay as a paralegal, but I am sure now is that a job in law is for me, whatever the position I hold. I unfortunately have to make a choice. I'm so torn between these two careers. Am I going to university or not?

Choice 1 : Stay a paralegal.

Choice 2 : Go to university.

Remain a waitress.

It will soon be 6 years since I finished high school. I still love to be a waitress. I like the special contact I have with clients and also the team in which I work, but there are several drawbacks. I still get a very low wage that is close to the minimum salary, so I have a hard time getting there at the end of the month. I am thinking going back to school and becoming a lawyer as I was destined, but that choice would mean a lot of change in my life. I can also stay at this dead-end job and find a solution to my problems.

Choice 1 : Stay waitress.

Choice 2 : Go back to school.

I am extending my time at CEGEP.

I finished my CEGEP last December because I did it in two and a half years. I pull this off! I also ended up with an excellent R score, so I was able to apply to two excellent law universities. I was accepted into both and now I have to decide whether McGill or Sherbrooke.

Choice 1 : Go to McGill.

Choice 2 : Go to Sherbrooke.

Go through.

I did not extend my time at CEGEP. I will have successfully completed my program in 2 years in May, but at what cost ... I am currently exhausted but I have to decide if I go to university and if so where I will go. I am really hesitant between taking a year off and going to the University of Ottawa where there is an excellent Law program.

Choice 1 : Take a sabbatical year.

Choice 2 : Go to the University of Ottawa.

Go to McGill.

I just finished my studies at McGill and got an invaluable offer. Because of my excellent grades and my involvement with cases that have had an incredible impact on our society. University College London invited me to continue my studies at their school. I can't wait to go and see what the future holds. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Go to Sherbrooke.

I just graduated from the University of Sherbrooke! It was an incredible experience where I learned several things. I had several internships during the years that I studied there. One of them was more of a test drive than an internship but the last one that I did was my favorite. I was working for a lawyer who mainly deals with family cases. I learned a lot with her. I was overwhelmed with all the tasks that she gave me, but I didn't really notice it because I loved the job. This internship came in handy because I have learned that family law is my favorite branch of law. Also, it got me a foot in the door job in this specialty. I now really feel like I have a purpose in life knowing exactly what I'm going to do for a big part of my life. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Take a sabbatical year.

I decided to take a sabbatical year and it was the best decision I have ever made. My family really didn't want me to choose this option but I listened to myself and I really needed this. During this year, I traveled a lot. I saw with my two eyes all the injustices that exist in our society and decided that I was going to do something to change it. I couldn't just go back to my beautiful little life after seeing it all. So, I decided to give up my studies and go on humanitarian trips to try to help people less fortunate than me in life. My parents were not happy with my choice, but they will understand one day. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Go to the University of Ottawa.

I only stayed 3 months at the University of Ottawa. It was a wonderful university with a great program but it was too much for me. I suffered from burnout and depression. I had to leave school and go to the hospital because I put my life in danger. I am working hard to try to get rid of this but it is very difficult. My doctors tell me that I will not be able to return exactly to the life I had before. It makes me sad a lot. I now have a lack of determination for my recovery. I don't know what I am going to do in the future. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Stay a paralegal.

I finally decided not to go to college. I will remain a paralegal. There are still several jobs in this field. I currently have two offers and I don't know which one to choose. I have the choice between working for the National Bank or for the government.

Choice 1 : Work for a bank.

Choice 2 : Work for the government.

Go to university.

I am finally a lawyer! I graduated from Laval University, a law school, I passed the Bar School exam and my 6-month internship in a workplace. Tomorrow is the last step, I will take an oath and join the Bar Association. It's officially the end. But when I reach this milestone, I have to decide where I'm going to work next. I have two choices, either I go work for a pharmaceutical company or I start my own business.

Choice 1 : Work for a pharmaceutical company.

Choice 2 : Open my own business.

Work for the National Bank.

When I left CEGEP, I decided to go work for the National Bank. I have been here for 4 years now and I like it as much as my first day. I do a lot of overtime but that's okay because I'm passionate! Also, it allowed me to have a better position in the company with a higher salary. I don't intend to stop here! Can't wait to see how far I can get. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Work for the government.

At the end of my CEGEP, I decided to take the vacant position offered by the government. I have been here for 6 years and I think this job is no longer for me. There are a lot of issues here. More often than not, my colleagues give bribes to my superiors to get their agreement on their cases. Also, they are not very nice to me. They often withhold some information that I need to do my work properly and that hinders my tasks. My superiors will then undermine me. The only reason I stayed so long is because they offer a pension when we retire but I will never be able to stay until then. I know! I'm going to go to university to become a lawyer but which one do I choose?

Choice 1 : Go to McGill.

Choice 2 : Go to Sherbrooke.

Work for a pharmaceutical company.

I really made the best decision by coming to work for this pharmaceutical company. I love what I do! My job is to defend the interests of the company when they are sued by a customer or even a supplier. There is a lot of action here. I don't have time to be bored and that's what I like! In addition, I have an excellent salary. I can't ask for better. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Open my own business.

It's not easy to have your own business. I don't think I knew what I was getting myself into but it doesn't matter because I do what I love every day, which is to defend new arrivals who are subjected to unfair treatment by the authorities. Also, I'm my own boss, nothing better. All this requires me to be very good at times management. I'm better than at the start but I still have some progress to do that's for sure. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

Stay waitress.

Nothing works! I am no longer well here. It all started when Tom started working here. He was very nice at first, he flirted but nothing inappropriate. Until the Christmas party where he took me in a corner and sexually assaulted me. I never imagined that one day I would be the recipient of a sexual harassment. We always think it just happens to other people but it happened to me. The day after this nightmare, I dread my next shift with him. I didn't want to see this perpetrator, I was so scared! There were two choices open to me, either I go talk to HR or I quit my job and find another one.

Choice 1 : I talk to HR.

Choice 2 : I go work somewhere else.

Go back to school.

I can't be a waitress for the rest of my life. The salary is far too low to meet all of my needs. Also, I was born to be a lawyer. I cannot pass away from this destiny. My grades were very good in high school, so I can either go to Science at Montmorency or I go do legal technique at Ahuntsic.

Choice 1 : Go to Science at Montmorency College.

Choice 2 : Go do a legal technique in Ahuntsic.

I talk to HR.

I love this work too much to sacrifice it for a person who shouldn't even be worth it. I'm not going to let him win. I'm going to go talk to Human Resources and explain to them what happened. They have it fixed for sure. I will however take a leave of absence to take time for myself and recharge my batteries to face what might happen. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.

I go work somewhere else.

I can't stand this. I must leave this place immediately. I call my manager just now to resign and I go looking for another job. Who knows what life has in store for me. START AGAIN.

Choice 1 : The beginning.