vendredi 14 août 2009

Getting And Using A Paralegal Degree

By Curtis Dahlquist

In tough economic times, a paralegal degree can give you the edge you need to secure a good job. There are many industries that continue to lay off countless employees, but the need for paralegals has continued to increase. Despite this increase, though, there are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs available, which is why this degree can be a big help.

When you have a paralegal degree you will be responsible for all the background aspects of a legal job that a lawyer does not do. These are tasks that are not a financially sound use of their time, or they are just too busy to do it on their own. Paralegals prepare legal briefs, investigate case facts, draft pleadings, motions, affidavits, and find case laws or anything else the lawyer requires.

A paralegal degree does not, however, allow you to give legal advice, set legal fees, or present cases in court. A paralegal may be required to lend assistance in a courtroom setting, but they are strictly prohibited from all those tasks that would be considered the practice of law.

There are a number of jobs that a paralegal degree can prepare a person for. Although the vast majority of paralegals are employed in a law firm, your degree can be used in a range of other occupations. You could, for example, work in a corporate legal department, a local, state, or federal agency, banks, or in legal aid societies.

Many of these positions require a specific emphasis in your education, and there are online classes that offer these specialized areas of study. Common areas that people focus on include civil law, injury, criminal, corporate, and immigration law. When you have this kind of extra education you will be more appealing to potential employers.

Of course, a paralegal degree isn't always required. Some companies will hire someone for an entry-level position with only a high school diploma. Other certification might be required, but some of those companies believe that on-the-job training is more than enough. Most modern companies, though, want more out of their employees and require an associate's or bachelor's degree.

Even though more and more companies are expecting paralegals to have a solid legal background even for an entry level position, there aren't a lot of programs that are approved by the American Bar Association. That's why a number of prospective paralegals are turning to online coursework to get certified and get a job in the field.

Obtaining a paralegal degree can take up to a few years, and certification classes can last anywhere from three to six months. If you find the right program they may offer job placement or internships to help you get that job when your training is over. In a tough economy like this, strong paralegal skills can help you find and keep a good job.

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