Is being a paralegal a good career?
I’m taking an online course starting in June to become certified as a paralegal. I was wondering if the certificate is all I need to get a job as a paralegal, or should I intern somewhere first? Also wondering what it is like to be a paralegal (money, stress, job demand, etc.)
I saw BonnyRogue’s answer–and have another question. Do you need a degree in all states-because I’ve heard it varies from state to state–I was told by the institution that I am attending that a certificate is enough.
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8 Responses to “Is being a paralegal a good career?”
Comment from Tam
Time April 21, 2010 at 2:49 am
It is not good pathway to being a lawyer, if that is your goal, but it should provide a steady job with decent moderate pay
Comment from danhartman823
Time April 21, 2010 at 3:12 am
Long hours, demanding, but pretty good pay (depending on the law firm)
Comment from LunaBelle
Time April 21, 2010 at 3:35 am
Me too; I’ve been for close to twenty years. You should be in the legal field, perhaps a legal secretary, so that you can get the full benefit of the certification. Generally if you try and enter the legal field with only a certificate and no experience you’re paid less than a legal secretary (who are paid very well); so having some legal experience is the best route to take. As for stress,…. alot with no experience. The Associates in the firm (not the partners) rely on you heavily and just so you know YOU WILL BE BLAMED for anything that is wrong. You’ve heard the express “shit goes down hill” well that’s you in the whole scheme of things. The only one under you is an inexperienced legal secretary, otherwise, you’ll have to hold your own against an experience legal secretary in you’re going in with no experience. Work on the paralegal certificate while working as an entry level legal secretary, because at least when you get the certification you’ll have experience, and will more than likely receive a nice increase once you complete the course successfully
Comment from Mystic M
Time April 21, 2010 at 4:33 am
In the UK if you already have a degree in law its a good stop gap before starting the LPC and the pay is’nt too bad.
Comment from Julie6962
Time April 21, 2010 at 4:40 am
It depends what’s important to you. I was a paralegal and I liked learning all kinds of new things, it was exciting just being “part of the process”. I didn’t enjoy working in a windowless office for a tyrant for only a minimal salary with no credit and no thanks.
As far as getting a job, it also depends on the atty or firm you interview with. Some will hire you w/o experience or internship but expect to be paid accordingly.
Comment from BonnyRogue
Time April 21, 2010 at 5:01 am
I begin school in the fall for the paralegal program. If your are getting a certificate, you will also need to have a Bachelor’s Degree in order to work as a paralegal. The alternative would be to enter a 2 year paralegal program with a community college or a 4 year program at at University. Please note: I don’t know of any law firm that will allow you to practice with a certificate and no degree.
As for the demand, paralegals are expected to be in demand more than average all the way up to 2014. The pay is usually commensurate with experience and a paralegal fresh out of school can expect to make somewhere between $30-40 thousand a year; paralegals with a few years experience can make as much as $50,000 or more.
Most jobs will require at least a few years of experience, so an internship is probably a good idea. That way, you can slide in the door easier.
As for stress, paralegals perform pretty much the same duties as attorneys, although they cannot try cases. They do research, Discovery, and prepare Pleadings and even accompany attorneys at Court. So, the stress level may be somewhat high depending on your own tolerance to time contraints and deadlines.
Overall, I think it is a lucrative career and before you know it you’ll be raking in the dough. And at my office, the paralegals have their own offices and secretaries. Pretty cool.
Good luck.
Comment from Stang_GT_Girl
Time April 21, 2010 at 5:41 am
No! Run! Hide!
You can get all of the certifications that you want…
You are going to be the stepping stone, door mat, and overall “little man on the totem pole.”
You are going to be blamed for everything that is wrong.
You are never going to get credit for anything you do.
The stress is overwhelming.
Often you will feel like your job is wiping an attorney’s @$$ for him or her.
I would not advise it, at all.
Oh, and the money sucks too.
Comment from BobKnight
Time April 21, 2010 at 2:41 am
It is not good pathway to being a lawyer, if that is your goal, but it should provide a steady job with decent moderate pay.