being a paralegal
"The [paralegal] field [has] an overdose of terminology: 'lay practitioner', 'sublegals and paralegals', 'legal paraprofessionals', 'legal executive', 'legal service assistant', 'lay advocate', 'legal nurse', 'legal technician', 'legal counselor', 'lay councilor', 'lay representative', 'lay assistant', and so forth"(Fins 2). Regardless of what one labels the profession, paralegals are assistants to lawyers. When I was a freshman my class did a project on law and the legal system. I was a defense attorney. All of the work that we did leading up to the mock trial was fun and enjoyable, but then when it came time to present our case in court I didn't feel that comfortable with the actual presentation of the cases. That's when I decided that I didn't want to be a lawyer. When I heard of the job of paralegal, I realized that that is what I want to do. I like to do the research, talk to the witnesses, and do most of the work leading up to a trial, and as a paralegal, that's what I could do. To have a career in the legal system, one doesn't have to work in a courtroom like a lawyer or judge, because paralegals work with the law more often than lawyers do and they hardly ever step foot inside a courtroom.
"[A] paralegals' education has evolved over the years" (Your 4). In the past there were only two-year programs in very few schools. "[Now] there are certificate programs, four year degree programs, post baccalaureate programs, and masters degree programs" (Your 4). Many paralegals have an associate degree, where they studied many different areas to become a generalist. In a four-year degree program they study a little in every area, and then go in depth into a few distinct areas. Lots of paralegals get a job after two years and continue to go to school for either a further degree or to be a lawyer. "Some employers are willing to pay for continuing education courses for paralegals" (Fins 18) to become more skilled in law and be able to help the firm more effectively. "[There are currently] no formal paths of advancement" (Hopke 678) however there are advancement opportunities if you know how to find them. One type of advancement is to change jobs. Moving from one's own business to a small firm and then to a larger one is one possible way to advance. Another way is if you are promoted from a "paralegal to head legal assistant in a firm" (Hopke 678). If one has what it takes, he can go far in this field. Hopke, William E. ed. Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. 9th edition.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hopke Paralegals, , United Experts, Legal Assistance, Vocational Guidance, Fins Paralegals, legal system, hopke 679, Career Horizons, Institute Research, Hopke William, law legal, courtroom lawyer, hopke paralegals, paralegals corporations, money coming, leading trial, paralegals lawyers, feel comfortable, law legal system,
Approximate Word count = 1869
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
