Paralegals assist attorneys by conducting research, writing reports and doing other preparatory work related to closings, hearings and trials. Education and certification are highly valued in this career.
Ask your high school guidance counselor for recommendations of institutions offering
paralegal certificates and degrees.
- Obtain the school catalogs and check whether the paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA); some are not. If most of the lawyers in your area prefer ABA-approved college programs, don't even consider other offerings.
- Decide whether to complete a paralegal certificate program for high school graduates, or a two-year or four-year college paralegal program. Be aware that many paralegals today are receiving at least a bachelor's degree, especially if they want to work for larger organizations.
- Visit several schools you are considering. Be certain that they're known for being able to arrange a variety of internships for their students.
- Choose an area of legal specialty if you would like to work for a large law firm or the government. Possibilities include corporate law, criminal law, patent and copyright law, and real estate law.
- Become proficient in online computer research and legal software programs. A good portion of your work will be done in front of a computer screen.
- Plan to eventually become certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) through a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation. This will put you on a faster career track. Visit the NALA Web site (nala.org) for certification information. Note: Don't confuse this with a certificate program offered in a school.
Paralegals assist attorneys by conducting research, writing reports and doing other preparatory work related to closings, hearings and trials. Education and certification are highly valued in this career.