Thoughts on Becoming a Paralegal

[Zach91]

So, I just enrolled in a one year paralegal studies certificate program at my University. I had a BA in history, and no job prospects, so I thought this might help me. The only thing I'm worried about, is that nobody seems to hire paralegals with no experience. I am friends with a lawyer, maybe he could help me make connections. Has anyone else considered this option. I don't want to get stuck in retail. Am I wasting a bunch of cash and loosing another year that I could be working? Thoughts?

 

[Gnarwhal]

So, I just enrolled in a one year paralegal studies certificate program at my University. I had a BA in history, and no job prospects, so I thought this might help me. The only thing I'm worried about, is that nobody seems to hire paralegals with no experience. I am friends with a lawyer, maybe he could help me make connections. Has anyone else considered this option. I don't want to get stuck in retail. Am I wasting a bunch of cash and loosing another year that I could be working? Thoughts?

My mom worked as a paralegal back in the 70's while she was working towards law school. People have to start somewhere, I mean at some point a firm is going to have to hire a paralegal who's just starting out. Maybe there's an internship that will get your foot in the door, but that's not very helpful if it's unpaid.

For what it's worth, I haven't heard of a male paralegal before, I'm not sure if that would count against you in anyway - it may not. I know that male nurses are in high demand so maybe it's the same in that field too. I don't mean to say that it's an effeminate profession, just historically it seems like women tend to occupy that role.

What was your original career path when pursuing the history degree? I was majoring in history (and technically am still a history major on paper) before switching to communications. My plan was to go to grad school and then go into teaching.

Have you thought about grad school at all? Sometimes that can open up some previously unrealized prospects. Maybe a teaching credential so you could go into K-12 education?

Shoot, you don't necessarily have to get an MA in history if you go to grad school... you could go for a Masters in just about anything, it doesn't necessarily have to be related (I know some folks who have, for example, a Bachelor's in Accounting and years later got their M.Div - completely unrelated fields).

I know I'm not much help but maybe it's something to chew on a little bit...?

 

[RobertMerton]

How much does the course cost?

I am currently a legal assistant (basically filing) but am slowly doing some paralegal work like drafting letters. I'm in law school though.

I think it might be worthwhile for you to gain experience as a legal assistant paid or unpaid. Many firms will allow you to do paralegal work if you're good. (is it a US thing that you have to do a specific course?) after all, the solicitor will have to check over your work, and the partner will be the one ultimately signing it off.

 

[Legal_Eagle]

I am a lawyer, so I'll give you my two cents worth. I have hired many people for my law practice that have had an ABA Paralegal certificate, as well as those who did not (ie, a Legal Assistant). As you probably know, there is no requirement in the legal profession to hire a person with a Paralegal Degree. It is, however, a good background for entering the profession at the entry level, as a person with out the certificate, or any formal legal training, will be relegated to administrative work. The Paralegal Certificate is a good icebreaker for getting into the legal field at the governmental level. Many agencies, like a D.A.'s Office, will hire paralegals right out of school. My caution to you would be twofold though. First, the legal profession in general right now is a very difficult one to break into. I went to an Ivy League Law school, and you would be amazed how many people I know were either unemployed, or still looking for work in the field. In Paralegal here in Colorado, the rate of employment for Paralegals 6 mo out of school is around 27%. For our area, that means nearly 75% of people achieving their certificate will have no job to show for it. Others on here have suggested working as a volunteer to get experience in the field, or simply to make contacts. I would really advocate that as well. Every Paralegal I have ever hired, has been a person I had knowledge of outside of the hiring process. PM me if you have any other questions about the field.

 

[sehnsucht9]

A BA in history means you can get your MBA in Law. I want to give you better advice but I read JasonDeVaux's post and being that he is a lawyer and has better background in this field, I think his advice sounds more grounded.

Good luck to you. I know things look scary sometimes and you want to give up, but working hard to better yourself will lead you to better experiences in life. In the next 5 years you will regret the things you didn't do, not the things you did.

 

[Neve]

I am a lawyer, so I'll give you my two cents worth. I have hired many people for my law practice that have had an ABA Paralegal certificate, as well as those who did not (ie, a Legal Assistant). As you probably know, there is no requirement in the legal profession to hire a person with a Paralegal Degree. It is, however, a good background for entering the profession at the entry level, as a person with out the certificate, or any formal legal training, will be relegated to administrative work. The Paralegal Certificate is a good icebreaker for getting into the legal field at the governmental level. Many agencies, like a D.A.'s Office, will hire paralegals right out of school.

My caution to you would be twofold though. First, the legal profession in general right now is a very difficult one to break into. I went to an Ivy League Law school, and you would be amazed how many people I know were either unemployed, or still looking for work in the field.

In Paralegal here in Colorado, the rate of employment for Paralegals 6 mo out of school is around 27%. For our area, that means nearly 75% of people achieving their certificate will have no job to show for it. Others on here have suggested working as a volunteer to get experience in the field, or simply to make contacts. I would really advocate that as well. Every Paralegal I have ever hired, has been a person I had knowledge of outside of the hiring process. PM me if you have any other questions about the field.

This.

Even in stronger markets right now, the legal profession remains extremely competitive.

As Jason indicated, many paralegals don't have formal training. I've worked in law firms where paralegals will usually only have a BA - maybe a certificate at the most. Many paralegals learn through on-the-job experience. It's hard to gauge the competitive edge it would give you without knowing the market you are in and the cost you will invest in the program.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Jason - that's awesome, where did you go to law school if you don't mind me asking? You don't have to answer if you don't want to.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[Zach91]

My mom worked as a paralegal back in the 70's while she was working towards law school. People have to start somewhere, I mean at some point a firm is going to have to hire a paralegal who's just starting out. Maybe there's an internship that will get your foot in the door, but that's not very helpful if it's unpaid.

For what it's worth, I haven't heard of a male paralegal before, I'm not sure if that would count against you in anyway - it may not. I know that male nurses are in high demand so maybe it's the same in that field too. I don't mean to say that it's an effeminate profession, just historically it seems like women tend to occupy that role.

What was your original career path when pursuing the history degree? I was majoring in history (and technically am still a history major on paper) before switching to communications. My plan was to go to grad school and then go into teaching.

Have you thought about grad school at all? Sometimes that can open up some previously unrealized prospects. Maybe a teaching credential so you could go into K-12 education?

Shoot, you don't necessarily have to get an MA in history if you go to grad school... you could go for a Masters in just about anything, it doesn't necessarily have to be related (I know some folks who have, for example, a Bachelor's in Accounting and years later got their M.Div - completely unrelated fields).

I know I'm not much help but maybe it's something to chew on a little bit...?

Yeah, I didn't know there were so few male paralegals. I don't want to do a job that is considered feminine. Thought about getting teaching certificate. In my state you have to take a "basic skills" test that includes algebra. I HATE math. Also its expensive.

How much does the course cost?

I am currently a legal assistant (basically filing) but am slowly doing some paralegal work like drafting letters. I'm in law school though.

I think it might be worthwhile for you to gain experience as a legal assistant paid or unpaid. Many firms will allow you to do paralegal work if you're good. (is it a US thing that you have to do a specific course?) after all, the solicitor will have to check over your work, and the partner will be the one ultimately signing it off.

It cost about $6000

I am a lawyer, so I'll give you my two cents worth. I have hired many people for my law practice that have had an ABA Paralegal certificate, as well as those who did not (ie, a Legal Assistant). As you probably know, there is no requirement in the legal profession to hire a person with a Paralegal Degree. It is, however, a good background for entering the profession at the entry level, as a person with out the certificate, or any formal legal training, will be relegated to administrative work. The Paralegal Certificate is a good icebreaker for getting into the legal field at the governmental level. Many agencies, like a D.A.'s Office, will hire paralegals right out of school. My caution to you would be twofold though. First, the legal profession in general right now is a very difficult one to break into. I went to an Ivy League Law school, and you would be amazed how many people I know were either unemployed, or still looking for work in the field. In Paralegal here in Colorado, the rate of employment for Paralegals 6 mo out of school is around 27%. For our area, that means nearly 75% of people achieving their certificate will have no job to show for it. Others on here have suggested working as a volunteer to get experience in the field, or simply to make contacts. I would really advocate that as well. Every Paralegal I have ever hired, has been a person I had knowledge of outside of the hiring process. PM me if you have any other questions about the field.

Thank you, I appreciate the info.

 

[Zach91]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

[Tallguy88]

I'm a paralegal. I have an associate's degree in paralegal studies and I work as a paralegal for the government.

It took me 2 and a half years after graduating to get a paralegal job, though I wasn't actively searching that whole time. If you live in a big city, I hear you can make a lot of money as a paralegal. Out here in the boonies, not so much.

If you enjoy law and stuff, you'll probably enjoy the profession. If you got a lawyer friend who can help you get a job, then I don't see a problem with taking the course.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the profession.

 

[Zach91]

I'm a paralegal. I have an associate's degree in paralegal studies and I work as a paralegal for the government.

It took me 2 and a half years after graduating to get a paralegal job, though I wasn't actively searching that whole time. If you live in a big city, I hear you can make a lot of money as a paralegal. Out here in the boonies, not so much.

If you enjoy law and stuff, you'll probably enjoy the profession. If you got a lawyer friend who can help you get a job, then I don't see a problem with taking the course.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the profession.

Thanks. I kind of decided to hold off for a while. I am curious though, have you ever had to deal with any kind of discrimination/BS for being a male paralegal? Do you feel that people respect the position of paralegal? Also, do you do a lot of research, or is it mostly paperwork, filing briefs, etc.?

 

[Tallguy88]

Thanks. I kind of decided to hold off for a while. I am curious though, have you ever had to deal with any kind of discrimination/BS for being a male paralegal? Do you feel that people respect the position of paralegal? Also, do you do a lot of research, or is it mostly paperwork, filing briefs, etc.?

No one has given me trouble for being a man. In fact, I've been told they like that I'm a man: less drama than if I were a woman!. In my current job, it's mostly paperwork.

 

[Neve]

Thanks. I kind of decided to hold off for a while. I am curious though, have you ever had to deal with any kind of discrimination/BS for being a male paralegal? Do you feel that people respect the position of paralegal? Also, do you do a lot of research, or is it mostly paperwork, filing briefs, etc.?

FYI - I've worked in offices with male paralegals. Like being a flight attendant, I think any gender stereotyping of being a male paralegal is basically out the window. I think men are now well represented within the paralegal profession.

 

[Tallguy88]

My current job is 1-3 male to female ratio.

 

[AztecSDSU]

In the 1990's law schools were graduating more students than all other post-grad programs combine. The boom also pulled a lot of people into the paralegal gig. The result in both cases is too many people trying for too little work depressing wages and making employers for what few jobs are available ultra selective.