Hired Guys

Throughout our representative republic, paralegals (also called legal assistants) have a number of professional organizations that have taken the role of “guardian angel”. One such organization; a relative newcomer, that has risen to national prominence very quickly (it began in 2003) is the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc (AAPI). AAPI’s fast ascent to prominence may be traced to the fact that it was the first national organization that focused primarily on the establishment of minimum educational requirements. In addition, members that wish to have a say in policy (given a vote) must meet particular guidelines through both real world experience and on an educational basis.

Important aspects to keep in mind when analyzing a paralegal program:

1. Paralegal programs should not only teach legal concepts but they should also provide practical real world job skills. In addition, any reputable paralegal school curriculum would encompass everything from legal contacts and legal writing to ethics and torts. Top notch Paralegal programs should also offer the opportunity for students to gain work experience through practicum or an internship.

2. Who put together and who is running the paralegal program at the paralegal school you are committing your future career too? Do the teachers and the “dean” of the paralegal department have the required educational and field distinction you feel comfortable with? Are they considered “experts” in the subjects they are teaching or at least, do they have the experience and references to be top notch?

3. Is the tried and true campus classroom learning model best for you or is the so-called “modern” online training environment a better fit? An essential question that needs to be answered before you take the plunge and decide to pursue your paralegal degree via the online learning model. Another key question includes how you’ll receive the training. Will it be through web based courses or telecourses or interactive video or something else? Furthermore, one of the most important questions is very simple, “Can you learn online?”

You want to become a paralegal. Sounds like a great career and it is, but like any profession your natural born skills and personality traits need to match up with the job requirements in order to be happy and successful. So what traits do you need to succeed as a paralegal? Well, you must enjoy research; have the ability to write in legal ease, have above average communication skills and not fold under pressure. If this sounds like you, then I hear a paralegal degree calling your name.