Paralegal or Law Degree?

I can go either way.

I have a BA Philosophy so I could go to law school. However, there are many cons
1. paying at least $51K for (all semesters) tuition alone; that's what a local (night) law school would cost
2. not having applied yet, such that it could be a year before I start classes
3. the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) states that in the coming years, many lawyers' duties will be delegated to paralegals; I would hate to see some of my work being given to someone who didn't pay such dues as I did
4. the OOH projects that many beginning lawyers will, in many cases, find themselves doing work not related to law or work they are otherwise overqualified for
5. the OOH projects an 11% increase in the field until 2016; not as strong as Paralaw

Paralegal Studies, by comparison, would be so easy:
1. a local ABA-approved community college program would cost only about $2500 for tuition and books!
2. getting a PL certificate- as I have a BA degree- takes only 2 years, which I maybe could do in 1.5 years if I knew what field I want to work in and took necessary specialty classes in my first semester
3. registration is instantaneous; no application, waiting, etc.
4. the OOH projects that paralegal work will continue 22 percent until 2016

This is by no means a "Law vs Paralaw" comparison and I am admittedly making the comparison in favor of paralegal certification, even though the OOH states lawyers' salaries as being about twice that of paralegals.

At this point, I'm thinking about getting the Paralegal Certificate to see if I like working in a law office or if I like that field of occupation in general and if I do, perhaps then going to law school though by then, I would be a few years older and perhaps less amenable to an arduous education.

I welcome any thoughts.

P.S. the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" that I'm referring to is actually "100 Fastest-Growing Careers" by Michael Farr and I'm interested in both Law and Paralegal work because the personality test I took pointed to Paralegal work as one of the occupations I would be suited for.

There are only a few things attorneys can do that Paralegals can't:
1.) Give Legal Advice
2.) Set legal fees
3.) Represent clients in court (excepting some administrative proceedings).

As for the rest of the substantive legal work, well-trained paralegals can do every bit what an attorney can. This was something a former newbie associate had a hard time with, but eventually came around. My 8 years of experience (plus education) put me ahead of his newly minted law-degree in many areas.

"I would hate to see some of my work being given to someone who didn't pay such dues as I did." There are many ways to 'pay dues', merely acquiring a law degree is just the start. You also have to realize that the decision to delegate work to paralegals is economic. Insurance clients are requiring more work be done by paralegals or they won't pay for it. Firms see that paralegals are more profitable in that they can do much the same work that associates can at a much lower salary - (less overhead, means more firm profit). Firms will often pair a new associate with an experienced paralegal to supplement associate training. Law school teaches you legal theory, legal judgment and analysis, and how to conduct legal research - it does NOT teach you the nuts and bolts of practicing law.

I think in your case, your basic decision will come down to do you want to eventually be 'top dog',calling the shots, or will you be happy as a 'mere' paralegal, performing much the same work as an attorney for significantly less salary??

You send money for a paralegal degree - thinking you will get the same "emotional high" as what comes with being a lawyer - you will be real disappointed.

What paralegals mostly do: Draft legal pleadings, draft letters, prepare hearing notesbooks; prepare for trial (exhibits, witness, all documents - a lot here); confer with clients, case management (making sure file is on litigation track where it should be, if something isn't done, or should be done, etc), organize files.

There are a few paralegals who "have it all" - but most are a form of glorified secretary.

You spend money. Wow, I didn't even have a drink today.

You might be trying to look at the decision as a doctor-nurse decision. "I love medicine, should I be a doctor or a nurse?" Even if you are not a doctor, you can still working independently as a nurse. You don't need to be supervised by a doctor. Nurses have a rigorous education and training that must go through. Nurses are governed by the nursing board, like doctors are governed by the medical board.

But the lawyer-paralegal decision is more like manager-secretary decision. "I love business, should I be a manager/boss or should I be a secretary to a manager/boss?" It is not a decision people make because they look at one job as a profession requiring a specific educational background and training and the other position as support staff - "Do you know Word?" The secretary can't exist without the presence and direction of the manager/boss.

Likewise a paralegal can't exist without the lawyer. There is no educational requirement. There is little respect for the position. Nobody cares who you are. Your job is to make your boss look good and you are easily replaceable.

Take it from me, the very last thing that someone should want to do is to try to become a paralegal. Even if you get an entry level job, it will be for very low pay and there are very few entry level jobs in California. At least if you go to law school and work your but off to be in the top 10% (or top 20% at a top 20 school) you can get recruited. With that said, when you go to law school you are locked into being a lawyer for at least a few years in order to pay back your loans. Check out this San Diego forum on the ridiculousness of the San Diego paralegal market:

dontbecomeaparalegal.forumotion.com/don-t-become-a-paralegal-f1/