10 Good Reasons to Get a Paralegal Degree
Do you binge-watch cop shows and legal dramas? Are you the one telling your online friends to do a fact check before they post? Then, you might be a good fit for a Paralegal Degree. It’s an opportunity to have a legal career without becoming a lawyer. By the way, did you know that while demand for lawyers is only average, the need for Paralegals is expected to rise much faster than average through 2029? That may be because the need for Paralegals expands beyond law firms.
What Do Paralegals Do?
Paralegals play a vital role working in law offices, corporate legal departments, banks, finance and insurance companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. In a legal capacity, you would support attorneys and even meet with clients to gather information. Here are just a few examples of job responsibilities you might have as a Paralegal, depending on the type of work your employer specializes in:
- Conduct research and prepare legal arguments for a court case
- Develop a filing system for all ongoing and completed cases
- Prepare for real estate closings by gathering information from the buyer and seller, and calculating how much each party will owe
- Assist with managing a will and distribution of assets after someone dies
- Monitor changes to government rules and write reports to other members of the firm
- Interview clients and witnesses to prepare for a court case
- Review medical, police, and other records
- Attend hearings and assist at a trial
- Use legal database software for recordkeeping and generating reports
Why You Should Get a Paralegal Degree
You don’t need to work for a law firm to utilize all the skills you will learn in a Paralegal program. Here are some other good reasons to get a paralegal degree:
- You will develop good research skills. Many organizations need good researchers including libraries, museums, think tanks, and the government.
- You will become an analytical thinker. Whether you are listening to a speech or reading an article on the web, you will automatically question whether it is backed up by facts.
- You will be a great communicator. A Paralegal degree program will teach you how to speak and write effectively, as well as to listen. These skills are essential in just about any profession.
- You can specialize in any area of law that might interest you. If you choose to go into law, you could focus on family law, personal injury, Worker’s Compensation, probate, labor and employment, real estate, etc.
- No day will be the same. You will work on a variety of projects with many different clients and will learn a lot from each one.
- You will be helping people. Whether it’s assisting in the defense of an innocent person, getting someone compensation after an injury, or standing up for a worker’s rights, you will play a vital role in improving someone’s life.
- You will learn more advanced computer and database management skills. Regardless of the organization you work for, your computer skills will be an asset and make you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.
- Your skills are transferrable to any location. If you’ve always dreamed of living in a particular city or large metropolitan area, you can take your Paralegal skills with you.
- Many Paralegal programs offer classes online. An online option means you can take classes when and where it’s most convenient for you but be sure the program is an ABA Approved Paralegal Education Program.
- You will be a lifelong learner. Once you have a Paralegal Degree, a fire of knowledge will be lit that will last a lifetime. Laws and legal precedents change frequently, and so do technology, research sources and communication channels. To keep up, you need to always be learning.
At National American University, we offer an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved Paralegal Studies program that is flexible and online. You can earn an Associate or Bachelor’s degree that will give you a solid foundation to become a successful paralegal and enable you to have a competitive edge with employers. Do you already have some experience or a certificate in a law-related field? You may be able to transfer those credits to your degree program so you can start ahead. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to an advisor or fill out the form to request more information.
