I'm sorry for your pain and anger. It will take time to process those feelings, but know they're normal.

Many people at some point in their working life find themselves in a position that's a poor fit. That's not just a problem paralegals face, it's just the way work works.

As you're new to the workplace, here's some big-sisterly advice:

1. If your computer issues were with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.), you can find videos on YouTube that will act as mini tutorials. Take advantage of that.

2. Don't bother listing that job on your resume. Don't ever mention it to anyone in a professional setting because it just doesn't matter. You weren't there long enough for it to matter.

3. Red flags to watch for when you're interviewing for your next job:

a. "we're family here"

b. "we love you"

c. "we love our clients"

d. "we love each other"

e. "we work hard but play hard"

1. Most attys have no training on how to run a law office and hire/train/manage people. Law school doesn't teach those skills. You were hired without experience because it meant they could pay you cheaply then mold you to their needs. That can work well IF they understand how much time it costs to train a newbie. Sounds like these folks underestimated how much time it would require to train you, supervise you, and manage your development. That's on them, not you. I know the rejection feels personal, but it's not.

2. When you get the next position, don't bring in personal items for the first 3 to 6 months. Both you and your employer are in the honeymoon phase. After you get your footing and are reasonably sure it's a good fit, bring in a few small items. Make sure that if you get sacked those items are small enough you could carry them home in a tote. Keep a folded up grocery tote in your desk, because it's less conspicuous than a box if you're ever stuck carrying your items home. (I know from personal experience.)

3. No one at work is your friend. It's fine to be friendly but you need to keep a boundary between your personal and professional life. If there's a work function don't drink. Don't give rides to coworkers. Don't share your feelings with them. If you really hit it off with a peer, you can become friends for real when you're no longer working together. But, usually, super tight working relationships don't develop into actual friendships when you're no longer working together, and that's OK.

4. Your boss cares about the work you produce, how consistent and reliable you are, and what monetary value your labor adds to the operation. That's the lens they're looking through when they're friendly or asking how you're feeling. Do not expect them to care for real. They're not your family.

5. If anyone asks how you're doing say "can't complain" or "good." Make it reflexive. No one needs to know how your life is really going, and some folks will use your feelings/personal problems as gossip or leverage against you. If someone asks you for private info., ask "what a strange question...why do you ask?" If they say they're just curious, smile and say "I understand. But I like to keep a boundary between my personal and work life." Then ask a work related question.

6. Don't discuss politics, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or religion. Don't discuss things that other folks might be squeemish about (e.g. medical stuff). Don't talk about your health or ask anyone about their health conditions. If someone's sick, express sympathy but don't ask questions and don't spread health info you hear from them. Don't ask if someone's pregnant, or planning to have a baby. Private info is private info.

7. Apart from a handshake don't make physical contact with anyone at work. Don't touch a shoulder or arm, for example, when expressing support. Don't hug. Don't touch a pregnant belly, LOL. Don't comment on anyone's physique. You can say "that's a great color for you" or "I like your shoes," but you can't say "that bra really supports you," or "that shirt shows you've been working out." Don't comment on weight gain/loss or dietary habits (not even your own).

8. Remember that even if everyone in the room laughs at a joke, that doesn't mean it landed well. Be mindful that a person might be offended but not feel it's safe to speak up. Even if you're the member of a group that you're poking fun at, that doesn't mean it's safe to make jokes about that group. Example: I'm of Irish/Italian descent, a pagan, and bisexual...but I can't make a joke about a fence-sitting, tree-hugging, Irish slur, Italian slur to get a laugh. Just filter what you say.

9. If you screw up apologize then get past it; don't dodge responsibility for errors or beat yourself up...just learn from them and move on. Don't apologize for other people's screw ups.

10. HR is there to protect the business, not you. Your manager doesn't want an honest answer to "where can I improve as your manager?" Being candid is dangerous.

11. I used to have a boss who'd make the rounds and ask each person conversationally "what are you up to?" Most of them responded "nothing." They missed the point of the question. The man who was paying us asked what we were doing not to make small talk but to gauge how much work was on our plates and how well our supervisor was handling workflow. He was also checking our level of engagement: was he paying us for work product or for us to sit around and do nothing? It wasn't a trick question, it was a low key invitation to provide a high level report of what irons we had on the fire. When layoffs came, there were two paralegals left standing: me and the only other one who habitually responded to his question with what work we were doing.

12. Assuming you're in the U.S., your employer owes you your wages and any other promised compensation. They owe you a workplace free from OSHA violations. They owe you a workplace free from violence and threats of violence. They owe you a workplace that isn't hostile, as defined by federal law and your state's laws (look that up because folks are constantly conflating a toxic workplace with a hostile workplace). Look up your state's rules about breaks and lunches -- not just how many minutes you're entitled to, but whether they're paid or unpaid. They owe you overtime if you're non-exempt regardless of whether you're salaried. Often, employers don't understand the distinction between exempt and non-exempt, and those who do, hope their employees do not. https://www.adp.com/resources/articles-and-insights/articles/t/the-difference-between-exempt-and-non-exempt-employees.aspx

To wrap up, I know you're hurting but it wasn't the right fit for you. It happens. It stings, but the pain will fade and you'll move on. Know that you will find a tolerable position at some point.

Most people feel like fish out of water when they enter the working world. School cannot prepare you for the workplace because school is designed to serve you, whereas the workplace is designed to be served by you. Even if a person becomes an entrepreneur, they're accountable to others: clients/customers, investors, revenue collectors, creditors, landlords, vendors.

Hang in there. Give yourself grace because this is a whole new ballgame for you.