Not everyone can spend over 7 years in training and afford the cost of becoming a lawyer. However, you can still have a rewarding career in the legal field and if you choose to become a paralegal. Best of all, it only takes a fraction of the time and cost of becoming an attorney. If you’re interested, you can start now by looking for online paralegal degree programs.
What It’s like to Be a Paralegal?
A paralegal works closely with a lawyer performing research, admin work, visiting courtrooms, doing interviews, and tracking appointments, to name just a few things. Paralegals have to be well organized, able to deliver on deadlines, and efficient. They do not offer legal advice; they only help lawyers provide a legal service. Still, a paralegal is a valuable member of any legal team and helps clients save money by not having to hire a lawyer for every aspect of a case. Best of all, paralegals are compensated well.
According to ParalegalEdu.org, [1] you can expect a mean annual salary of $51,480 up to $77,000. The job outlook is also good, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of legal assistants and paralegals is projected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028 which is much faster than average.
Becoming a Paralegal in 5 Straightforward Steps
Although many paralegals spend most of their time in an office, other’s often visit private companies, hospitals, banks, and various government agencies. There are a lot of things you could potentially focus on while developing your skills and career, so choosing the wrong certification program, for instance, could be a waste of time.
To help you succeed, we’ve boiled down 5 straightforward steps that you should follow:
1. Chose what will be your focus (family law, real estate law, corporate law. etc.)
2. Find a fitting program that offers the level of education you require (master, bachelor, or associate degree, certification
3. Pass your certification training (CLA, CP, etc.)
4. Begin interviewing for jobs
5. Start working
Tips for Becoming a Great Paralegal
In most cases, you will need to hit the ground running and learn as you work. But paralegals who have completed an internship, gotten mentorship or worked on pro bono cases tend to be more succesful and get hired more often.
Apart from that, a paralegal should be good at networking. Knowing the right people can land you new work opportunities, help you advance, and do a better job. You should always consider becoming a member of a national or local paralegal or legal association.
Every Legal Team Needs a Good Paralegal
Although the legal field has somewhat of a steep learning curve, there’s always a need for certified professionals such as paralegals. If you’re the type of person that likes to learn constantly, expand your skills, and network, you will find success and will be compensated well.
Are you ready to start your career as a paralegal? Search online for certification programs and opportunities to acquire the necessary education.
[1] https://www.paralegaledu.org/2015/06/becoming-a-paralegal-comes-with-some-amazing-benefits/
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm