How to become a Paralegal
I became a paralegal by majoring in Paralegal Technology at my local community college and receiving my Associates Degree. There are also some four year colleges that offer paralegal programs. About half way through my education, the program became American Bar Association approved. I think it is important to graduate from a program that is ABA approved. ABA approved programs have to meet certain criteria, and I think law firms will look more favorably upon a candidate who graduates from an ABA approved program. Also, some states require that paralegals be licensed, so graduating from an ABA approved program may even be mandatory.
Some employers may want a paralegal candidate to have a paralegal certification. You can go take an exam at National Association of Legal Assistants [NALA] or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations [NFPA]. Also, there are four year colleges that offer paralegal certificate programs.
A paralegal student should try to take classes in as many areas of the law as possible. Some of the classes that I took were Constitutional Law, Family Law, Wills and Estate and Civil Litigation. I also think it is important for a paralegal student to try to receive the best grades possible, since the paralegal field can be very competitive.
I know I have discussed that you can become a paralegal by going to college. However, where I live, you do not have to go college to become a paralegal. You can also try to work at a law office as a receptionist and work your way up to becoming a paralegal. Someone who is looking to become a paralegal can also go through a temporary staffing agency to try to obtain a law office job. I went through a temporary staffing agency to get my first law office job, and I am still at the same job for the past nine years. There are many law firms that want a candidate to have "x" number of years in a certain law of the law, but there are some law firms that are willing to train someone. The law firms that are willing to train someone are rare, but good opportunities.
As one can see, there are a couple of ways to become a paralegal. I still believe that the best way to become a paralegal is to go to college, since the assignments that are given you can use in your work after you become a paralegal. It is basically hands on training, only though you are in the classroom. I really enjoyed my paralegal education, my classes and professors.
