Paralegal

Anytime you are job hunting, it helps to have some general skills including self-confidence, punctuality and motivation. When you are looking for a paralegal role, there are additional skills hiring attorneys will expect you to have.

If you want to become a paralegal, completing your associate degree is a great first step. Look for a Paralegal Studies program that offers a mix of hands-on learning and substantive coursework. When you graduate from an accredited and approved degree program, prospective employers will recognize that you are prepared for the rigors of the job.

Taking classes to earn your degree in paralegal studies gives you the information and knowledge you will need when entering the workforce after graduation. That knowledge base is important, but prospective employers also want to know that you understand what working as a paralegal entails. Completing an internship for a local law firm or corporate legal department while you are in college can give you hands-on experience that’s hard to duplicate in the classroom.

Your job description as a paralegal will differ depending on the type of law firm or company for which you work. One thing most paralegal jobs have in common is legal writing. Whether you end up writing motions, demand letters, responses, reports or other materials, there are some techniques you can learn and hone now that you can improve your writing ability and comfort with the task later.

Becoming a paralegal takes time and effort, but it can be a stable and rewarding career path. Paralegals play key roles supporting attorneys with legal matters in traditional law office settings, corporations, government offices and more. If you have decided to pursue this profession, follow these four steps to begin working as a paralegal.

If you know you want to pursue a career working as a paralegal in the criminal justice field, it’s smart to investigate requirements and options. When you start researching paralegal education programs, you’ll find there are an astonishing number of associate and bachelor’s degree programs as well as paralegal certificate options.

Taking steps to become a paralegal or a legal assistant can open many career opportunities in a variety of industries and types of organizations. Paralegals may work in a fast-paced law office or be part of a corporate legal department in almost any type of field — including real estate, finance, insurance, nonprofits and more.