Academy of Independent Learners

You may be considering your next career move. Perhaps you’ve been laid off, or your hours have been reduced and the handwriting on the wall is plain to see. With a little foresight you can land on your feet, even in today’s economy. The US Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics), predicts the job outlook for paralegals will grow at a much greater than average rate over the next five years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics goes on to say that there will be significant competition for those jobs, as many people seek to enter a profession with a relatively high income potential.

Should you be among those competing for a paralegal job? Consider the results of research done by CareerCast(R), which did a study to rank 200 different jobs on the basis of stress, work environment, physical demands, income, and general outlook. The study ranked attorneys at number 82 and federal judges at number 69. Amazingly, paralegals were ranked at number 17; perhaps you should keep it on your short list of careers to investigate.

But where to begin? Should you study online or take classes on-campus? Do you need to get a degree or a certificate? Does your course of study need to be accredited by the American Bar Association? Precisely what requirements are there to becoming a paralegal? You need to talk with prospective employers for these answers; a little bit of research before enrolling will pay huge dividends in preventing wasted time and money later when you begin looking for a job. You should also begin to look further into scholarship opportunities and internships as soon as you’ve decided a paralegal career is for you.

Here’s another suggestion to successfully establish your new career: begin networking early. If you’re considering relocating, begin networking as soon as you’ve determined where you’ll live – and if you don’t intend to move, begin networking now. You need to know which law firms, government agencies, or corporations are looking for new talent. More importantly, they need to know about you before you complete your paralegal program. For example, when you call to inquire about any scholarships, pick the brain of the person you’re talking to. Get to know them a little, and try to ensure they remember you. Call back with some follow up questions, hopefully someone else will pick up the phone and you can pick their brain as well. Call law firms to see if they have funding available for scholarships; suggest that money set aside for scholarships may be credited against their required pro-bono work. Once again, try to talk to different people at each firm, getting their insights while introducing yourself to them. Make an impression.