In the past in the United States, paralegals took many different paths to their careers, but nowadays, the route to becoming a Paralegal is now through high education in a brick and mortar college or via an online college and University accredited by the relevant authority and approved by the American Bar Association. You also have the advantage of studying at your own time and pace. But in the so called developing countries, Paralegals are still seen as mere lawyer's secretaries and judiciary clerks even though they, in most cases without formal training, have learnt to carry out most of the duties of a lawyer, including conducting legal research, document preparation, client interviews and drafting of legal documents. More and more prestigious universities are now offering paralegal bachelor's, masters degrees, and even post-baccalaureate certificates, an indication that the profession is now taking more responsibilities in the legal system.
The American Bar association prepares and supplies to paralegal institutions integrated courses for the training of paralegals in the United States. A paralegal training will consist of lessons teaching how to facilitate attorneys jobs and how to carry out research on law. Paralegal training equips Paralegals to have the same insightful knowledge about legal matters as lawyers so that they can be able to organize the efficient function of the law firms and legal departments.
Some of the online paralegal programs may offer tuition aid for indigent students, so it will not hurt to look for such schools if you have need for financial assistance. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations recommends that a person should have a bachelor's degree to practice as a Paralegal, though this recommendation falls short by almost 50% according to a survey conducted recently to check the qualifications of practicing paralegals in the Unites States, employers are sticking to a bachelor's degree as the basic entry requirement for a paralegal job. Though a beginner paralegal may be started with a salary scale of between $25, 000 and 35, 00 working normal hours, week days, but with the nature of the work load associated with law firms and other places where paralegal jobs exist, you can be sure to work enough overtime to push your annual salary up to as much as $70, 000, aside from life and health insurance allowances.
Google Paralegal Association for specific information
If you are already working in the legal system you may enroll in an online paralegal institution that offer Paralegal certificate courses for the purpose of upgrading your status if you are a bachelor degree holder. Mention must be made that computer skills is a prerequisite in most organizations and firms nowadays, so this must be part of your course. If you have to submit a resume, don't forget also to attach a cover letter explaining the purpose of your resume.
Now that legal researches can be done online, it is imperative that you have computer skills, espcially Internet research capabilities. Therefore, be sure that, in the first instance you got your training from an ABA approved paralegal schools, especially if you aim to work in a Law firm. A qualified paralegal should be conversant with computer skills to enable him discharge his duties efficiently.
It is a challenging job, but the reward is huge. Obtaining an online paralegal degree will provide you with opportunities for advancing your career or finding new employment opportunities with law firms, the judiciary or the legal departments of organizations and the private sector, give it a thought in 2010. You know that adequate training and qualification as a paralegal will help you make progress in your paralegal job. Paralegal Association as a related infformation can be accessed by searching in Google.
Get more information on obtaining online paralegal degrees at Online Paralegal Degree Program and be what you wanna be!
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