Picking a new career can be a difficult thing, especially if you don’t have the training for another field of employment. Finding something that suits you can be a long arduous task that many people choose not to follow through on. If you’ve got your mind set on working in the legal field, then you may want to consider becoming a paralegal. They make pretty good money, and can work for themselves in some states. Finding paralegal training online will make the process of learning how to be one easier. By using an online source for your education you can complete the course in your own time. This will allow you to hold down a full-time job while you’re getting your certification.
The Paralegal’s Life
The first thing you should know about being a paralegal is it is considered a support role in many firms. You will be tasked with assisting one or more lawyers with their daily work. This will usually consist of reading materials and getting familiar with case information. You may be asked to do research on certain laws, and then write a detailed paper on how they relate to the cases your lawyer is handling. There is a high probability that you will need to interact directly with clients on behalf of your attorneys, and answer many basic questions they have. If you happen to work in the realm of litigation you might be tasked with preparing witnesses for court. It’s also possible that you may have to attend hearings with the attorneys you are working with, and assist them during trials as needed. This career choice is a high stress job, and you will most likely end up spending long days working hard.
Do These Jobs Pay Well?
Paralegals can take in about $40,000 to $90,000 depending on their experience level. You might also be able to go into business for yourself. Many states allow paralegals to perform various tasks involving wills, trusts and estates, or contractual law. If you’re ambitious enough to try to work on your own, you can make significantly more money, but you’re going to have to cultivate your own client base.
It should come as no surprise that many people find working in law to be rewarding. It is a challenging career that high energy people tend to excel at. If you think that sounds like you, then you should consider a career in the legal field.
