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My PACE exam journey started many years ago. I remember following the PACE exam as it was developed and debated. I thought it was a great tool for setting the benchmark for experienced paralegals, but I wanted to see what happen over the course of a few years to the test and the legal community's response. It wasn't until this summer after the MPA convention that I seriously considered taking the PACE exam. I had a
good friend who attended the PACE seminar at the convention. She not only shared what she had learned at the seminar, but she also shared her excitement about PACE. After some careful consideration, including how I could fit studying into my schedule without disrupting my work and family life, I decided to join my friend and study for the PACE exam. I studied during my 25 minute bus commute to and from work, during my lunch a couple times a week and during a few hours on a couple of weekends. In addition, I was a member of a lunchtime study group who met periodically to pool our resources, share our thoughts and provide accountability to one another.
Initially, I had thought that I would take a year to study, but after a month or two of this plan, I realized for me that it would be better to set a shorter-term goal for the test. The Saturday before Christmas, I took and passed the PACE exam. I was thankful that I had planned to get up extra early the morning of the test early because it took me an extra 30-40 minutes to get to the testing facility in the snow that started to fall while I was sleeping. Thank goodness for my husband's All Wheel Drive vehicle, or I might not have made it in time or nor at all. I arrived in enough time to find the testing facility and a nearby coffee shop to sit and try to relax with a cup of hot chocolate for a few minutes to decompress from the stressful drive.
Not long after taking the test, I was encourage to become a PACE Ambassador. The two previous PACE Ambassadors, Lori Brandon and Doris Wente, were invaluable resources to me and my group as we were on our PACE journey, and I felt that this would be a great chance to help others on their PACE journey. I am also grateful for my study group support and of course to my good friend who gave me the encouragement I needed to start my journey and to be there as my cheerleader throughout.
Since PACE is voluntary, the reasons for taking PACE are varied and individual. Perhaps you have done the same thing for a number of years and want to challenge yourself; maybe you want to demonstrate to your
employer that you are ready for greater challenges in your work responsibilities; or maybe it's just the passion you feel for the advancing the paralegal profession. Whatever the reason, as PACE Ambassador, I am available to you as a resource as you travel down the path on your PACE journey.
Good Luck!
Debra A. Jones, RP
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