How to become a paralegal? Our firm has counseled people on careers for nearly 20 years. People tend to make a career change much more difficult than necessary. With long-term unemployment so high, clients have asked career advice. Most clients want stability. One career that appears to have stability is the paralegal profession. This is generally followed up with the question of how to become a paralegal? It is a common question to a career that has all the signs of growth potential, longevity, and stability. And the good news is the Department of Labor statistics suggests a 28% growth rate in this profession up through 2018. The paralegal profession also allows a great opportunity to be around educated people who do meaningful work to help other people. Furthermore, paralegals who excel in this profession can receive bonuses and favorable compensation packages.
The question of how to become a paralegal, can be answered in several ways. Most people who become paralegals go through a training program. The training can generally be found at a professional trade school, a community college, or more commonly an on-line course. Any internet search will reveal a plethora of choices. Most course work is approximately 36 semester hours in length. (That is the equivalent of 360 classroom hours.) These requirements will tend to vary by state.
Some people get concerned by the number of hours involved in pursuing this career. Trust me, there is rarely a career available where so few hours in training can provide such a high return in career advancement, job satisfaction, and financial reward. We advise our clients to look at the class work as nothing more than a mere investment of time. It is important to think beyond the here and now, and consider the long-term potential of a career. If a client sees herself as an asset, then investing a few hours to move the game forward is well worth it.
In California, a course at UC Berkley costs approximately $7,000.00. Do not let the cost frighten you. This is a subtle reminder that on-line courses are available all over the United States. There are those who are willing to shop for the best deal. There will always be an institution who offers course work at a cheaper price. Please keep in mind that almost every course will grant students the same certification. Something should be said about the quality of instruction and coursework. As Ben Franklin said “Don’t be a penny wise and a pound foolish.” It may make sense to pay a little bit extra for quality coursework and quality instruction instead of searching for rock-bottom coursework. Often times, you get what you pay for.
In closing, our clients who have inquired how to become a paralegal have noted that our advice has been timely and honest.
We remind each client that there are many ways to achieve career goals. It just so happens that the information age provides the career changer with many methods of reaching that threshold especially when considering how to become a paralegal. We have often advised our clients that they must find their comfort level of coursework, and understand that whatever path that is chosen, they should evaluate their training very seriously. If 36 semester hours of coursework can lead to a $25,000.00 year over year raise, then the move is well worth it.