[SingDanceRunLife]

I'm thinking about going to school to become a paralegal, and I have 2 options:

1) Get a certificate (meant for those with a Bachelor's, which I do)
2) Get a degree (A.A.S.)

The certificate is 11 classes, and if I've counted right in what classes would be waived for the degree because of my BA, the degree would be 13.

Anyone in the field have an opinion on which option I should go for?

*I'd rather do the cert. because I don't want to take accounting or economics, but if the degree is worth it, I'd suck it up.

[Yzen]

I would search for paralegal jobs on job sites to see what organizations are requiring. It seems to me that a degree might hold more weight to some employers, but you have the other degree.

I am not in the field so I don't know.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by Yzen

I would search for paralegal jobs on job sites to see what organizations are requiring. It seems to me that a degree might hold more weight to some employers, but you have the other degree.

I am not in the field so I don't know.

In my area, most paralegal jobs don't require anything but a HS diploma with a degree being much preferred (Associates, and then Bachelors is held in even higher regard). The ones that do require something else only require a certificate.

[seesaw]

I thought for it to be a true paralegal you had to at least have the certificate? Otherwise it's only a legal secretary? I have a friend who is a paralegal and he has a high level of education. I have another friend who is a legal secretary and she only has her HS diploma. I would consider how much you want to be paid in the field...typically higher education will get you higher pay. You also want to think to the future as you rise in the field.

Seesaw

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by seesaw

I thought for it to be a true paralegal you had to at least have the certificate? Otherwise it's only a legal secretary? I have a friend who is a paralegal and he has a high level of education. I have another friend who is a legal secretary and she only has her HS diploma. I would consider how much you want to be paid in the field...typically higher education will get you higher pay. You also want to think to the future as you rise in the field.

Seesaw

To be a "true" paralegal you need to be called a paralegal by your employer. There's no official certification or anything like that. I just don't know if lawyers prefer a degree or not.

[hvert]

If you already have a BA, I'd go for the certificate... unless it turns out you can get a paralegal job without even having that? It can be better to get the job first, to make sure you really like the field, and then go after the education, imo.

I am not in that field at all, though.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by hvert

If you already have a BA, I'd go for the certificate... unless it turns out you can get a paralegal job without even having that? It can be better to get the job first, to make sure you really like the field, and then go after the education, imo.

I am not in that field at all, though.

You definitely can get a paralegal job without a cert. and without any experience, I would just assume it's easier to get one with it. I've applied to 2 paralegal positions, so we'll see what happens, but if I don't get either of them, I will highly consider starting school again in the spring.

[hvert]

That sounds like a really good plan!

I am going to be a negative ninny. There is a major glut of lawyers right now and they are stealing paralegal positions (associates) there isn't a lot of need for paralegals when lawyers will do the job. Don't go into the legal field.

[Moogieotter]

Nice Sing. Miss you.

[rechu]

I would agree to some extent with Emily; employment prospects in the legal field are tough right now. I have heard also that a lot of the work that paralegals due will be ripe for automation in the coming years. You should definitely research future employment prospects, placement rates, etc. before deciding to commit your time and money to a program of study.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

I am going to be a negative ninny. There is a major glut of lawyers right now and they are stealing paralegal positions (associates) there isn't a lot of need for paralegals when lawyers will do the job. Don't go into the legal field.

As someone who has a new lawyer as a brother who had a job well before graduation, and a mom who is a law professor who helps her students get jobs all the time, I think I've most likely got much more information on this stuff than you do...plus, people love hiring paralegals because they can get away with paying them less than lawyers for doing the same work...

Either way, I've no ambition or money to go to school, so I'm working instead. And I've got a job in the field I actually want to be in as well, so it's all good.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

As someone who has a new lawyer as a brother who had a job well before graduation, and a mom who is a law professor who helps her students get jobs all the time, I think I've most likely got much more information on this stuff than you do...plus, people love hiring paralegals because they can get away with paying them less than lawyers for doing the same work...

Either way, I've no ambition or money to go to school, so I'm working instead. And I've got a job in the field I actually want to be in as well, so it's all good.

I also was roommates with a paralegal and have close friends who are paralegals. I don't know why you think because you know people that you know more than us who also know people in the business. Just remember you came to us asking for advice about this issue. Maybe just say thanks for the advice and move on next time without offending the people who are trying to help?

I hope the paralegal job search goes well for you. You are very bright and hard working, so I have no doubt you will succeed in whatever you choose to do.

Seesaw