How many different types of degrees are there for a paralegal? And how can I make the big bucks?

Question

What specific education do I need to become a paralegal? Are males paralegals too?

Answer 1

I am starting school in just a couple of weeks. I have a BA and I will be getting a paralegal certification. The BA was mandatory for this course, but the school offers an Associates in paralegal studies, as well.

There are so many ways to get paralegal training, from what I am doing to the Assoc. to a BA in paralegal studies to certificates from technical and career schools.

I have done A LOT of research on this, because I could not find work with my BA and I did not want to waste more time in school.

The most important thing seems to be getting your training through an ABA-approved school. That has been the advice I have read many times. Also, employers frown on online programs and really short programs (months or weeks). Mine has an internship, which seems to be very important.

No matter what else is involved, you have to have experience to make the good money. You will find it very hard to even find a para job after graduating. I have been told that you have to start out in an entry-level job and work your way up. So, the money will not come until you get that experience and from what I have read and the ads I have seen, 3-5 years seems to be the key to starting at the good salaries.

Salaries will also vary greatly due to where you live and where you work. Smaller firms do not pay as well as larger ones. It really depends.

I am glad I have my BA, because I think that will make me stand out more. Still, experience is necessary.

I have been looking into part-time entry-level jobs in law firms so I can start getting experience. I have had several interviews, and every one of them were interested in my GPA. So, I think the lawyers like that you got good grades. I am in NJ and the cost of living is astronomical and yet, these jobs were paying horribly low. 2 of them should have been double the pay. I am willing to take the low pay, but with those 2, gas would have eaten up most of my check, so it was not worth it. The other places were nuts-high turnover and nasty staff. I am learning that this field has very nice people and very rude ones and the rude ones have been the staff, in my case. I will keep trying, but I think I will probably just wait until my professor gets my internship. My school will cost under 5,000 and take 2 years attending part-time. There are two other schools near me charging 14,000 and 15,000 and neither are approved. So, you have to be careful in choosing the school.

Yes, males are paralegals. More seem to be women, but I know that men are in the profession.

Just do your research before you do anything!

ETA:

The person above is incorrect. Paralegals are NOT secretaries. Yes, in a smaller firm they may also be the secretary, but in larger ones they are strictly a para. Also, legal secretaries in my area can make GREAT money, as well. There are so many variables with the earnings though, but with 3 years of experience in my area, there are jobs paying 50K and up. Believe me, I have been checking. :) You have to get the education, and mostly be experienced and you have to be good at what you do. I know of one para making 75,000.

Answer 2

It is call LAW and no you will not make big bucks because you are not the attorney... A paralegal is NOTHING more that a sectary for the attorney ... My step sister was one and now she is a 911 Dispatcher and makes WAY more money

Answer 3

WARNING:   Jobs in the field of Law are drying up FAST!!!  This is NOT a good field to invest in right now!!!  Reasons:  very bad economy, people today (mistakenly) think they can do their own legal work thanks to the WWWeb, there are WAY TOO MANY law schools (this includes for legal support professionals such as paralegals) churning out WAY TOO MANY graduates to be supported by today's economy, there are simply WAY TOO MANY attorneys today.  Even if you do make it through law school, you probably won't be able to find a job.  Even if you do find a job, you will discover that the law office environment:  is very political and competitive (they fight like cats and dogs), law office administrators typically do not have the employees' best interests in mind - only how to make more money for the partners, they will work you to death.

Suggestion:  Go into the field of Healthcare <<< LOTS of jobs there!!!  And some of the best paid nurses are male nurses.

Good luck.