Congratulations to Andrea Cox, our latest Success Story! Andrea was hired as a Judicial Services Specialist 3 for the Oregon State Courts at the Clatsop County Courthouse in Astoria, Oregon.  Andrea's job duties include the following:  Accept, track and file all documents filed in domestic relations, dissolution and custody cases.  this includes monitoring case timelines and advising judges / staff as case milestones approach.  Assist the public in understanding court processes/procedures regarding domestic relations cases.     Andrea, what was your employment situation prior to finding your new job? I served as accounts payable contact and purchasing specialist for a district forest agency.  I assisted with office management duties such as; payroll, travel claims, accident forms, mileage reports, & property management. Which skills from your prior positions helped you apply for and obtain your new position?   Organizational, Communication and Computer. How did you find out about your new position; and how long had you been looking for a position? I started seriously looking at legal positions before I started the AIPS classes.  I was not able to secure any interviews with my administrative background alone.  Once I started classes in June of 2007--I kept "my nose to the book" so to speak and did not venture out for another job opportunity until December of 2007.  I interviewed for a Litigation Assistant for an attorney representing Insurance companies.  I was their second choice--then their first choice backed out--then they ended up offering me the position end of January 2008.  I counter offered the salary package because the medical / dental package was not as comprehensive as the State of Oregon has provided me.  They declined the counter offer and wished me luck, saying they could not pay that much in that position.  February 2008 I saw an advertisement for a Judicial Services Specialist 3 at the courthouse.  I noticed it was with Oregon State Courts and thought it would be a good fit for my career background.  I interviewed on Good Friday of 2008 and was offered the position on March 25, 2008.  I am thrilled.  This is an opportunity to shift my career onto a legal path instead of strictly an administrative path.  This is truly what I have been waiting for. Are there any specific job search strategies you would like to recommend to others? I think if you Google for "State Courts" one could find their state's job postings.  Sometimes the government jobs are harder to dig up.  County, city, state, and federal jobs may not offer the higher salary as a private sector employer, but the benefits add up.  Paid leave and medical / dental / vision is usually really good! Andrea, could you describe how your AIPS schooling impacted your ability to find this new position? The results from AIPS are rather immediate.  You get into a routine of search, find and conquer facts.  I think the students, faculty and staff all support an environment of --"Okay, you can do it--let's go!"  Truthfully, AIPS helped me to pinpoint my goals. Andrea, do you have any other words of wisdom for us? I think it is important in interviews to confirm your online studies keep you locally based.  One person who interviewed me thought I was actually on campus going to school somewhere.  I had to explain that I am taking online studies which allow me to continue a career and still earn academic credits.  I believe that online schooling is going to become more mainstream--sooner than we may anticipate! What an amazing story, Andrea!!  Thank you, Andrea, for allowing us to share it.  Good luck to you!!