How to Become a Paralegal
Besides dealing with interesting law cases, paralegals earn good incomes and receive excellent benefits. It's no surprise that the paralegal profession is one of the fastest growing careers. Read the steps listed below and learn about how you can become a paralegal.
- Decide what type of education you want to pursue. Although most paralegals used to have a certificate or diploma from a paralegal training program, many universities now offer in-class and online bachelor's and associate's degrees. Larger firms tend to hire paralegals with higher levels of education [source: Gierke].
- Choose an area of specialty while still in school. Focus on the area of study that most interests you, choosing from a variety of topics, including real estate, immigration and patents. The more specialized your education, the better your chance of being hired by a law firm that practices in your field [source: Khalilifar].
- Receive your certification. Depending on where you live, you may be required to receive professional certification to practice as a paralegal [source: NALA]. Since not all law firms require their paralegals to be certified, you may want to inquire about prospective law firms' requirements before applying for certification.
- Prepare a resume. Keep in mind that paralegals must have proper academic training, excellent communication skills and exceptional interpersonal skills. Write a resume that addresses all those qualifications, not just your paralegal education. Include any prior employment experience that shows you have the necessary skills, such as customer service and writing jobs [source: Khalilifar].
Remember, becoming a paralegal requires determination, intellect and patience. However it's interesting, rewarding work.
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