Do you want to work in a law firm and frequent the courtrooms without having to endure years of law school? Then perhaps you should consider a certified paralegal career. Becoming a paralegal to lawyers and attorneys gives you a firsthand insight into how the legal system works despite not being able to practice law.

In this guide, you will find all of the information you’ll need to become a paralegal. This includes the various paralegal education programs you can take and certifications you can earn to get you working in no time.

A paralegal is someone qualified to work under the watchful supervision of a lawyer to perform specific legal tasks, according to the American Bar Association (ABA).

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As a paralegal, you would essentially be the go-to for legal assistance and carrying out other important legal legwork. This means using your paralegal knowledge and skills to conduct legal research, analyze legal documents and create a summary report, draft legal correspondence and pleadings.

Paralegals may also choose to specialize in different areas of law, such as personal injury or medical law.

One of the best parts of pursuing a paralegal career is the lack of rigid education requirements. Since paralegals don’t practice law, most states do not require specific education credentials among aspiring paralegals. That said, be sure to check if this is the case in your state before planning your career path.

You can become a paralegal right out of high school if a firm decides to take a chance on you. Note, however, that it can be an uphill battle especially if you do not have the necessary knowledge or experience to thrive in the role. If you’d like to further your paralegal knowledge and stand out in the job market, consider the paralegal education tracks below.

Because there’s no concrete path to becoming a paralegal, there are many education tracks you can follow. You can enroll in a paralegal program and earn a bachelor’s degree. You can pick and choose a few classes from a community college. You can even just do your own legal research before applying for a job.

There are hundreds of vocational schools or trade schools in the United States. Many of these schools offer certificates or diplomas for paralegal studies, which can often be obtained easier than college degrees.

Although a non-traditional path, the appeal of trade schools lies in their affordability and shorter program duration. Trade schools are typically much less expensive and take less time to complete than a traditional college education.

If you want a college degree but aren’t sold on a four-year plan, you can attend a community college instead. This is a great way to gain basic paralegal education without committing to an expensive bachelor’s degree or graduate degree program.

Not only are community colleges typically cheaper than traditional universities, but they are also easier to be accepted into. If you have a low high school GPA or were unable to graduate high school, community colleges are great options to begin your paralegal education.

If you have the time and resources, consider earning a paralegal bachelor’s degree. Though it is not a requirement for most paralegal jobs, having a bachelor’s degree or even an associate degree can make you a much more desirable candidate for the job.

The great thing about earning an undergraduate degree is the increasing accessibility of college programs. For instance, you can pursue a paralegal degree from the confines of your home via online colleges. Though online learning may not be for everyone, it is often the best option for those with full-time jobs and other personal obligations.

If you have the time and resources, consider earning a paralegal bachelor’s degree. Though it is not a requirement for most paralegal jobs, having a bachelor’s degree or even an associate degree can make you a much more desirable candidate for the job.

The great thing about earning an undergraduate degree is the increasing accessibility of college programs. For instance, you can pursue a paralegal degree from the confines of your home via online colleges. Though online learning may not be for everyone, it is often the best option for those with full-time jobs and other personal obligations.

There are many paths you can take to become a paralegal, and no one path is right for everyone. Use the guide below to determine the best path for you.

Even though the road to becoming a paralegal is not as rigorous as other careers, there are a few skills you will need to do the job. Below are three of the most important skills you must have when pursuing a paralegal career.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the paralegal field is expected to grow by 10 percent in the next decade. This is much faster than other occupations, which means there will be many paralegal jobs available in the coming years.

The BLS also reports that paralegals earn a median salary of $52,920, which is enough to grant decent living standards.

While the typical entry-level paralegal holds an associate degree, there are no standard job requirements for the role in most states. You can work this job with nothing but a high school diploma or GED.

Paralegals do quite a bit in their daily jobs. It is easy to imagine how lawyers and attorneys are overwhelmed with the amount of work they have to do daily. All of the overflow work tends to pass down to paralegals to work on instead.

These are some of the most common job aspects for paralegals.

Paralegals are generally not required to earn any certifications. However, some states do have certain certification requirements. Even if your state does not, certifications improve your employability.

These are a few of the best paralegal certifications you can earn.

One of the most common certifications you can earn is the National Federation of Paralegals Association’s Paralegal Certification. There are two exams you can take: the core competency exam and the advanced competency exam. Passing either of these certification exams adds credibility to your name as a paralegal.

The American Alliance of Paralegals offers the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) certification. This certification is only available to those who have work experience as paralegals. You must have also already completed a certified paralegal program before taking this certification exam.

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALS) offers four paralegal certifications. The best choice is the Professional Paralegal Certification. This is offered to those with five or more years of paralegal work experience and is meant to show your expertise in the field.

While the job-hunting process for a paralegal job can be stressful, you can easily ace your next job interview by preparing ahead of time. Paralegal job interviews are similar to most other job interviews and require you to be timely, knowledgeable, and confident.

The following questions are commonly asked during paralegal job interviews.

Since there are typically no rigid education or experience requirements to becoming a paralegal, the time it takes to become one varies for everyone. You could become a paralegal within a matter of months if you decide to start applying for jobs without pursuing further education. It could also take a few years if you opt for a trade school certificate or college degree.

There is a fast-growing demand for paralegals in the United States, with an estimated 10 percent job growth within the next decade. You can easily earn over $50,000 per year in this job while experiencing a front-seat ride to the legal world without going to law school.

If you want to become a paralegal, now is the time to go for it. With plenty of job opportunities, decent pay, and never-ending interesting work, this occupation is perfect for those who enjoy helping others, solving problems, and organizing mountains of paperwork.