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A career in the paralegal field offers a vast range of opportunities for individuals enterprising enough to enter the discipline. Every aspect of the legal field requires the services of paralegals. A paralegal assists lawyers with the preparation of legal documents, filing paperwork with the courts, and the more experienced paralegals may even assist the general public with filings. The paralegal field presents the opportunity to become knowledgeable in an extensive array of useful topics and areas including but not limited to business, civil interests, financial law, personal injury, trademark, environment, estate planning, tax, corporate, international and criminal statutes and to become skilled at performing innumerable valuable tasks.

After time spent performing the customary duties associated with a position as a paralegal, an individual will have the experience, skills and knowledge to transfer into a new career field such as real estate or business. Or a paralegal could elect to continue in the legal field and expand their options by pursuing advanced educational opportunities. The salary range for paralegals is respectable; beginning around $31k to approximately $60k. Some agencies utilizing the services of paralegals provide a higher salary. With benefits and bonuses customary, the paralegal field offers financial security and with information obtained from the Department of Labor, a certain level of job security. The Department of Labor expects the demand for qualified paralegals to continue to experience growth throughout the next several years.

High School

High school is the initial educational staging ground for any professional position. During these early years of education, it is important to attain a solid foundation in the basic subjects; mathematics, English and computer technology. Besides the general usefulness of these subjects, the skills acquired in the course of learning the fundamental aspects are just as important. Written communication and reading comprehension are central skills associated with the paralegal profession. It is essential to develop exceptional abilities in these areas. Take every opportunity presented to hone these skills. Attention to detail is an integral facet of the legal profession where even the wrong placement of punctuation can impact the meaning of a clause. Developing awareness in these areas early will ensure these areas become an inherent, automatic skill.

Many high schools offer options to take professional skill courses or to attend a technical school offering specialized curriculum for specific professions. If the school does offer either of these options, take advantage of the opportunity. Completing legal courses in high school will provide a background upon which additional knowledge and skills can be built. Legal writing and/or law courses provide exposure to basic procedures and aspects of the legal profession. Technical high schools tailor the student’s education around the profession chosen by the student. Students complete a sequence of courses specific to the field. Curriculum which meets the requirements of the certifying agencies or local community colleges can result in certification or college credits.

An after school or summer job at a local law firm is helpful. These types of positions may be difficult to obtain. But if you are able to find a firm willing to hire a student, even if it is on a non-paying basis, the experience will be invaluable. Some employers are willing to provide on the job training in the hopes that the individual may return on a permanent basis. Spending time in a legal environment will furnish the opportunity to find out if you will enjoy the work. Experience, in the legal field, is as important to potential employers as education. In most instances, an individual with experience working in any type of legal setting will be given preference.

College or Vocational Training

Becoming a paralegal doesn’t necessarily require a college degree. But with the increasingly competitive nature of the job market, obtaining a college degree is becoming ever more important. Approximately 1000 colleges offer paralegal programs. A paralegal professional certificate program can be earned in as little as eight weeks. Some colleges offer seven to fourteen month paralegal programs. An associate degree in paralegal studies, Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal, can be earned in two years. And a four year degree, Bachelor of Science degree in paralegal or Bachelor of Arts in paralegal, will provide the advantage afforded to any individual possessing a bachelor degree and will augment those essential written and verbal communication skills. Individuals with the higher college degrees attain additional experience in adhering to deadlines, multi-tasking and completing detail oriented tasks which are then utilized extensively in paralegal positions.

Online programs in paralegal studies are prevalent. Many of the colleges which offer online degree programs offer paralegal certificate and degree programs which are readily accepted by employers. The online degree programs are ideal for working or busy individuals who need more flexibility in scheduling than a traditional classroom experience would allow. Online students can continue to work full time or take care of their other responsibilities and complete their coursework when they are able. The online degree programs also allow students to work at their own pace, allowing students to complete the program in shorter or lengthier time frames than the traditional institutions may permit.

Master of Arts or Science in Paralegal studies degree programs are offered at some institutions of higher learning. An individual should carefully consider their career intentions when determining whether to pursue this advanced degree. Earning a master degree does increase your earning potential in the job market, but can sometimes be a hindrance in obtaining a position. Some employers may consider the advanced degree an indication that the individual is overqualified for a position. A person considering this specialized advanced degree should be someone who intends to become a court clerk or to obtain another legal administrator position. A master degree in the paralegal field may help obtain a skilled professional position within a prominent law firm or corporation requiring the services of a paralegal.

Certification

Paralegals have wide latitude in terms of determining how much education, training and certification they wish to obtain. A degree is not required for employment in the field or even to claim the title of paralegal. Becoming certified as a paralegal is not a requirement upon which employment is contingent as is the case with a number of other professional positions. Experience can be substituted for a degree and can actually be considered more valuable than education by prospective employers. Amply experienced paralegals are held in high regard and actively sought. However, certification is an indication of an individual’s level of experience, education and aptitude in the paralegal field and can make the process of obtaining employment, a higher salary and promotions virtually assured.

There are a number of professionally recognized organizations which offer opportunities for certification. Each of the agencies have specific qualifying requirements a paralegal must meet before being eligible to seek certification. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is one administrating agency which oversees the certification process. The paralegal must meet the qualifications before being allowed to sit for the certification exam. Two years of paralegal experience is required along with a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. The exam, known as the Paralegal Advanced Competence Exam, is a two day exam. The paralegals that pass the exam are able to use the title of Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal. Advanced certification is also offered to individuals who want to pursue a specialization in a specific area. The certification is earned through a curriculum based program which can be completed on the internet.

The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc and the National Federation of Paralegal Association both offer certifications which are accepted in the professional domain. The AACP requires their candidates to have five years of experience in paralegal work and to meet certain educational criteria. After becoming certified by the agency, paralegals must complete 18 continuing education requirements and renew every two years in order to maintain their certification. The National Federation of Paralegal Association requires their candidates to have two years experience and a bachelor degree before taking the certification exam. Twelve hours of continuing education courses must be completed every two years in order for the paralegal to remain certified.

Work Experience

Experience on the job is the most important credential a paralegal can obtain. Some employers are willing to provide on the job training to individuals without any paralegal experience or even education. Most employers prefer to hire individuals with experience, regardless of whether the candidate holds a paralegal education certificate or degree. Expect that employers will not be prepared to offer a substantial salary without some level of practical work experience. It may be necessary to accept a low paying position to gain the experience employers are seeking. It is not recommended that you turn down a paralegal position because the salary offered is marginal. Consider the experience gained as remuneration received for the work performed. As the experience level of a paralegal increases so will the salary.

The tasks performed by paralegals are essential to the success of the legal organization employing the individual. Paralegals help attorneys get ready for the courtroom by completing many of the tedious and time consuming duties necessary to prepare. Substantial research is often required and would appropriate much of the lawyer’s valuable time. An experienced paralegal would be able to locate the case law and any of the other information the lawyer needs to successfully handle and resolve the case. Efficiency in legal research is acquired through experience as is familiarity with legal terminology, courtroom procedures and knowledge of law practices. With increased experience, a paralegal is capable of preparing legal arguments, drafting motions and pleas and even managing cases for the busy attorneys.

Paralegals work in a range of settings. The majority of paralegals work in private law firms. Law firms rely heavily on their paralegals to take care of the minute details so they can concentrate on the areas of the law which only attorneys are permitted to handle. However, paralegals are also hired by various government agencies and corporations. The legal sections of these types of organizations utilize the services of paralegals in a manner similar to that of the law firms. Experienced paralegals may even work for themselves; offering their services on a basis similar to that of a consultant or free agent. Paralegals can provide assistance to a number of law firms from their own home or office with completing motions, legal research and the various other responsibilities handled by on-site professionals without committing their time to solely one firm.

Continuing Education

The education of a paralegal is never complete. Laws and procedures are constantly changing and evolving. A paralegal must remain current on the changes in order to function successfully. Technology is a major component in the paralegal field, facilitating every aspect of the paralegals job from drafting motions to researching case law. Proficiency with utilizing the various types of technologies available will augment a paralegals ability to perform their functions quickly and efficiently. By completing continuing education courses offered at a multitude of institutions of higher learning a practicing paralegal can stay current on the latest news, changes and technologies. Online courses permit working paralegals to continue performing their jobs while completing the courses when their schedules allow. Each course completed will increase the paralegals standing in the job market and behoove them by providing increased job security and viability in a dynamic profession.