Congratulations to Natalie (Medise) Barton, our latest Success Story! Natalie, a 1994 AIPS graduate, was hired as a Paralegal for a firm in Cleveland, Ohio.  Natalie's job duties include the following:  I am a Paralegal for an insurance defense department.  I initiate and develop programs for Estate Planning / Elder Law, including creating forms, marketing tools, potential client documents and contacts. Natalie, what was your employment situation prior to finding your new job?  I was employed for a smaller firm, making considerably less income. Which skills from your prior positions helped you apply for and obtain your new position?  Organizational, communication, computer, legal research, interviewing/investigative and client contact skills. How did you find out about your new position; and how long had you been looking for a position?  I found this position through a former co-worker whom I had not seen for some years.  I ran into her on a Saturday errand fest and she mentioned the firm she worked for was looking for a paralegal.  She forwarded my information, and the following week I had two interviews and was offered the position.  This had been the career position with a great firm I had been looking for.  They are very open and flexible with many benefits, as well as ideas for creating new niches for business. After taking off a year for "mom" time and a break from the day care expense circus to my two young children, it was difficult to get a response for a full time paralegal position...not to mention the difficult economy in the Cleveland area.  I took a full time research position but was unfulfilled and desired to return to my former paralegal work.  It took three months to find the elder law position; and three months later I hit the jackpot, by luck. Are there any specific job search strategies you would like to recommend to others?  Network, Network, Network - and never give up !!   Natalie, could you describe how your AIPS schooling impacted your ability to find this new position?  AIPS was the best thing I could have done.  It turned my life around in so many ways.  And I will be returning for a Specialized Certificate as soon as I get the approval, as my employer is planning on paying for it in full. Thank you, Natalie, for allowing us to share your story.  Good luck to you!!