Becoming A Georgia Paralegal Could Land You A Challenging And Rewarding Career

By Catherine Hill


If you are graduating from high school or college, you may have some idea of what you want to do with the rest of your life. On the other hand, many young people come out of school without any idea about what to do next. Certain areas of business are booming, while others seem to be declining. There are professions however, that will always be in demand, and the field of law is one of them. Maybe you should consider a career as a Georgia paralegal.

Paralegals are not attorneys. They are now allowed to represent individuals in the courtroom, offer legal advice, or handle cases. Paralegals are assistants to lawyers. They are the people who interview clients, conduct research, draft documents, and collect evidence. Good paralegals are vital to the success of law firms. They can be just as knowledgeable about a case as the attorney assigned to it.

You probably won't get rich working in this field, but the job does provide a steady income. Most paralegals can expect to earn somewhere in the range of fifty thousand dollars and, in certain areas of the country the median income is higher. New Jersey, Washington, D. C., and California paralegals are among the highest paid. The more qualified you are however the more likely you are to earn a salary in the upper range.

If you are looking for a challenging, demanding job, this one fits the bill. Not everyone is suited for it though. You have to be able to calm clients experiencing difficult situations, and hold your tongue when they seem unreasonable. Good paralegals exude confidence and make clients feel as though they have come to the right place.

Your educational background is important when you are interviewing for this position. You are not legally required to have a specific degree or level of education, although individual firms may have those requirements. There is no required license or certification process for you to go through. Of course the more qualified you are the more likely you are to be hired.

In order to increase your chances of getting a good position, you can become certified. Certification is handled by private organizations and not regulated by any governmental entity. Certified paralegals are those who have shown a proficiency in various areas of legal ethics, federal law, and legal terminology. They have successfully completed examinations designed to test their communication and written skills.

Once you have spent some time working in a law office, you might decide you want to go back to school and become a lawyer. If you earned an associate's degree in legal studies, some of the credits could count toward your law degree. You have to get a bachelor's and attend law school before applying to the bar however.

A lot of people have rewarding and satisfying careers as paralegals. The job can be demanding and challenging. It might even be the first step in becoming a highly paid and sought after lawyer.




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