A paralegal is more than a standard administrative or executive assistant. A paralegal needs special skills to help lawyers do a better job of serving their clients. These special skills make legal assistants valuable professionals with significant earning capacity.
The Future is Bright for Paralegals
Things are changing in the paralegal field. Typically, job availability for legal assistants fluctuates with the economy. When jobs in general become scarce, paralegal positions tend to become scarce as well. However, there are still possibilities and opportunities on the horizon.
The American public demonstrates a growing need for legal services. With that, thousands of new lawyers enter the field every year. With increasing need and an ever-expanding number of attorneys, the demand for legal assistants will always be present. Also, more attorneys realize that they actually save money by employing a legal assistant. The free time they gain allows them to gather more clients and perform tasks that only they are qualified to do. Even though the industry fluctuates at times, a career as a paralegal is a solid one.
Income Opportunities for Paralegals
As with any career, income opportunities for paralegals vary greatly depending on your geographic location, experience, and education. You will find that income levels increase in regions where the cost of living is significantly higher. Paralegals working in rural or suburban areas may earn less than those working in urban areas.
Your salary will also be determined by your experience and education levels. An entry-level legal assistant will earn less than an experienced paralegal. In fact, rookie paralegals might earn as little as $25,000 annually while a very experience paralegal might earn as much as $100,000 annually. However, you can improve your earning potential with experience, training, and by choosing more lucrative employment opportunities with private firms and government lawyers.
Better Your Career with Paralegal Education
As with any career path, more education and training is always better. The most experienced and trained applicants tend to get the best positions and in order to have options throughout your paralegal career, you want to build your skills through paralegal education.
There are a few different paths to a paralegal education. Some employers are willing to train professionals in the particulars of a paralegal position. But most employers will expect you to have an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies as well as experience in paralegal positions unless you have a four-year degree from a university. If you already have a college degree, you may be able to secure a paralegal certification in place of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies.
For the most part, employers will want to see that you have the appropriate training (Associate’s degree) as well as experience. If you do not have paralegal experience, you will want to pursue the best education options available to you. Once you complete your paralegal studies degree, consider obtaining paralegal certification. Certifications require an exam and exemplify that you have certain skills that are valued in a legal assistant.
If you already have a college degree and professional experience, you may not need to pursue paralegal training courses. Rather, you may be able to secure paralegal certification to establish that you have the skills and experience necessary to be a successful paralegal. However, most paralegal employers expect prior experience in the field. Without prior experience, you may need formal paralegal education to compete with other applicants in spite of your previous work record.
Certifications are not required to work as a paralegal. Most employers do not expect you to pursue the various certification processes. However, this is just another step you can take to increase your marketability as a legal assistant and demonstrate your commitment to your career. As a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA), a Certified Paralegal (CP) or as a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), you demonstrate to your potential employer that you meet these organizations’ standards of qualifications.
Choosing your Paralegal Training Programs
In the United States alone, there are hundreds of different paralegal training schools. Once you decide to pursue a career as a legal assistant, you have to choose the best paralegal training. As you search for the right school, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, consider your schedule and available time to complete your training to be a paralegal. Many paralegal education programs are available online and at local community colleges. Because so many paralegal trainees already have full time jobs, you should be able to find a program that offers night and weekend paralegal courses.
To become a paralegal, you only need an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies, which is typically a two-year program. Some schools may offer a Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, which would require four years. More training is always a good idea, however, you may be better served by using those extra two years to gain work experience if you don’t already have it. With patience and commitment, you can have an exciting and profitable career in the paralegal field.
