How to Become a Paralegal

Paralegals have some of the most important jobs in the criminal justice system, and they don't really get a lot of credit for what they do. They are the ones responsible for making lawyers as successful as they are. Without paralegals, the legal process would not be nearly as efficient as it is. If you have been looking for a job that will promise great opportunities for your future, you may consider working as a paralegal. You just have to make sure you can get through the training first. Here is a guide showing how to become a paralegal so you can get a feel for the process.

Step 1 – Figure out If This Is the Right Career

Before you jump into any kind of training program, you have to determine if it is the right career path for you. There is a wide assortment of criminal justice careers in the world, and they all have slightly different duties to keep in mind. You need to do some research about working as a paralegal before you can decide that this is where you want to be. Here is a look at some of the job duties you will have as a paralegal:

• Assist lawyers in trial
• Draft correspondence
• Investigate information about a case
• Issue affidavits and other formal statements
• Organize documents
• Prepare reports for attorneys
• Research laws and legal articles

If you think you can handle all of that and more, you can proceed to the training process.

Step 2 – Choose a Specialty

There are many areas that you can focus on as a paralegal, and all of them are different. You do not have to specialize if you do not want to, but that may lead to better job opportunities in the future. Possible industries to work in include:

• Real estate
• Criminal investigation
• Insurance
• Healthcare
• Divorce
• Civil litigation

If you know that you have a passion for one of those or something else along the same lines, you should adjust your education to suit your concentration.

Step 3 – Get an Education

To become a paralegal, all you need is an associate's degrees in paralegal studies. Some students choose to go beyond that though, which may be a good idea for you as well. Getting a bachelor's degree would give you a better chance to get a job in the future, and it would allow you to work in higher paying positions later on. Here is a list of degree programs you may want to pursue:

• Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Political Science

Step 4 – Get Certified

Once you have your degree in hand, you will need a certification to start working as a paralegal. This will verify that you know what you're doing, and it will give your employers more confidence in your abilities. Required certifications vary by state, so you will have to contact a law firm in your area to find out what you need to get. Possibilities include:

• American Bar Association Certified
• Certified Legal Assistant
• Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate
• Notary Public
• Paralegal Certificate

Step – Find a Job

With all of that out of the way, the only thing step is getting a job. You can find work with a variety of employers, including:

• College or university
• Company
• Foundation or trust
• Government office
• Hospital
• Non-profit organization
• Private practice
• Work from home

Apply with confidence like you would for anything else, and you should be able to land a job that will support your lifestyle. Here is a look at the salary you may encounter once you land a job as a paralegal:

Salary by Experience

• Less than 1 year of experience: $24,410 - $43,453 per year
• 1-4 years of experience: $26,395 - $50,740 per year
• 5-9 years of experience: $31,434 - $61,068 per year
• 10-19 years of experience: $34,314 - $70,273 per year
• 20+ years of experience: $36,109 - $75,249 per year

Salary by Company Size

• 1-9 staff members: $26,211 - $54,947 per year
• 10-49 staff members: $30,442 - $60,632 per year
• 50-199 staff members: $30,663 - $69,263 per year
• 200-599 staff members: $31,953 - $70,903 per year
• 600-1999 staff members: $35,792 - $80,069 per year
• 2000-4999 staff members: $36,786 - $76,073 per year
• 5000-19999 staff members: $40,887 - $81,971 per year
• 20000-49999 staff members: $39,745 - $88,590 per year
• 50000+ staff members: $46,050 - $74,219 per year

You now know what it takes to become a paralegal. The only thing left is actually going through this process. Think about your career goals and figure out if this is the right option for you.