Switch Careers, Change Your Life?
by Kathy Seaton
For anyone who is burnt out, jaded or bored at work—or who has been laid off from their job recently—there’s good news from the paralegal field! This multi-faceted career not only pays well and offers a variety of exciting, fast-paced and fulfilling work every day on the job, but it also maintains reasonable hours and is rife with immense opportunity. How’s that for a life-changing new path?
With the recent tremendous growth in the paralegal field—the U.S. Bureau of Career and Labor Statistics has forecast an above-average need for paralegals through the next decade or so—job seekers from all backgrounds and experiences are taking charge of their professional destiny and changing the course of their careers for the better. Earn you’re paralegal certificate and you’re on your way!
For those who aren’t familiar with this position, paralegals important part of a legal services delivery team. Though they cannot practice law, paralegals play a leading role in assisting attorneys in their practice and thrive in a fast-paced environment fueled by time-sensitive matters. They’re often responsible for making crucial decisions, doing investigative research, performing legal analysis, summarizing depositions, and attending hearings. Paralegals report that they find the job gratifying because their work makes a difference.
Hear from four paralegals who love their jobs in this video filmed at First American in Santa Ana, Calif.[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1dYzbrf8XE&w=550&h=309]So, what’s in it for you?
- Variety and opportunity. No two days are the same.
- Less expensive than attending law school and completed in a shorter period of time. Choose a pay-as-you-go paralegal certificate program with a convenient schedule.
- Less stressful and shorter hours than an attorney position. Paralegals are able maintain a work-family-life balance.
- Room for ongoing learning and growth. This field rewards and promotes top achievers.
- Competitive wages. For a the nice-priced educational investment, paralegals are well paid and enjoy a comfortable quality of life.
Becoming a paralegal is a naturally perfect fit for those who wish to enter the legal profession without becoming a lawyer. The career attracts many successful people who already work in the legal field, including administrative assistants, legal secretaries and even out-of-work attorneys. That said, the booming paralegal field also draws mid-career changers from sectors as diverse as marketing, healthcare, Internet technology and journalism. If you’re detail-oriented, highly organized, hard-working, and a fast learner who loves to take initiative, this could be your calling.
At UCI Division of Continuing Education, half of the paralegal program’s students are career changers in mid-career. Some have earned their bachelor’s degrees and are considering applying to of law school at a later date, with the paralegal certificate as a stepping stone and resume builder.
With paralegals in high demand everywhere from law firms and government agencies to courthouses, banks, large corporations and small companies, more returning workers are choosing it as their next career move. Driven professionals who have an appreciation for the law, a mind for details and a desire to make a difference find the field a dynamic choice in which they are well-compensated for work they truly enjoy. Read more about the journey to becoming a paralegal in the full article here.