paralegal diploma or certificate

My sister in enrolled in a "paralegal diploma" program- how is this different from a certificate program? I'm worried its a scam and she will waste her time and money without a well paying job when its all said and done- please advise

What's the name of the program? Does your sister already have an associates degree or a bachelors degree? Ideally, a paralegal should have a 4 year degree and a certificate from an ABA approved paralegal school.

the school is " court reporting institute" in houston tx. She has no Asso. or bachelors' degree... would the diploma allow her to become certified or hold any type of state acknowledgement???

Tell her to take the court reporting program instead. She will have far more opportunities.

Court reporting school has about a 92% drop out rate. It's a very difficult skill to learn. In Texas you have to write 225 wpm with 5 or fewer mistakes before you can sit for the test in Austin. You can spend years and years and tons of money trying to get up to that speed.

As for paralegal, there is no official licensing/whatever of any kind. You can be a paralegal because someone hires you to be one. Nothing is required. The big good law firms want their paralegals to have a 4 year degree and a certificate from an ABA (American Bar Assocation) approved school. Other places will give you a certificate, too, but the school may not be ABA apporved. Some smaller firms will take that as enough qualification, others will laugh at it.

Back when I went to paralegal school you could easily tell if the school was ABA approved if you already had to have a college degree to even attend and all of the teachers were attorneys. Those were two requirements by the bar association. I don't know if that's still true or not. At some point years after I attended they dropped the college degree requirement to be just a 2 year degree (associates) instead of a 4 year degree, yet it was still ABA approved. I don't keep up with it anymore.

One firm I worked at just required their paralegals to have 2 of the following 3 things - 4 year degree, paralegal certificate (didn't matter ABA approved or not) and law firm experience (didn't have to be in a paralegal position).

So, it's hard to say what this paralegal diploma will do for your sister. Is she smart? Is she cute? Does she have a good personality? Is she a hard worker? Is she reliable? Does she have connections? Anyone in the family an attorney? These things will mean more, but just know it's really hard to find that first paralegal job. Half or over half my paralegal class never found paralegal jobs after getting their paralegal certificate.

Paralegal in Dallas, Texas said: Court reporting school has about a 92% drop out rate. It's a very difficult skill to learn. In Texas you have to write 225 wpm with 5 or fewer mistakes before you can sit for the test in Austin. You can spend years and years and tons of money trying to get up to that speed.

I had my court reporter's license in WA State. Everything said here is true. I went to Bryan College in LA, supposedly the #1 court reporting school in the country. They said it was a 2-year program. I dropped after 4 1/2 years. We also had to write at 225 WPM, but I believe we were allowed 15 mistakes. Yet it was nearly impossible to pass. WE had to pass 3 qualifiers in order to sit for the state test. Qualifiers were dictated at 225 wpm for 15 minutes, and that 15 errors adds up pretty quickly. We were given 3 hours to type what we had on the tape from our machines. The school had old IBM Selectrics that did NOT contain erase tape; so no hitting a back key to erase. We had to backspace and hold a piece of white-out paper in front of the carriage and then type the same letter over to erase it. If 3 hours seems like a long time, it's not when you have to transcribe 15-20 pages.

My close friend took 8 years; another took 6. Most girls are there 5-7 years, no joke. I had my speed at 2 1/2. I didn't work. I was in class every day and then stayed until 5pm practicing on my machine. I couldn't pass the qualifiers because I couldn't keep my nerves under control. If you are nervous, you will not hit the write keys on the machine, and forget trying to transcribe that tape. So I flew up to WA. Their test was a 5-minute test. I passed and got my license. This was after 4+ years in school AND after sitting in the 200+ speed class for over 2 years. I was so burnt out. I dropped out of school, 2 or 3 speed classes of the students I started with (what was left of them), and chose not to move to WA because I knew nobody up there and my daughter was 5 then

Not long after I quit, several students complained to the NCRA (Nat'l Court Reporter's Assn) in Vienna, VA. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but there was an investigation. I know the school had to pay a settlement to several students, something to do with fraud and misrepresentation. I heard that a former classmate testified before the Sunset Review Committee or State Senate Committee (??) about the differences between what court reporting schools tell students and reality.

What I do know is that several laws under the CA Bus. and Professions code have been passed regulating court reporting schools. They were pretty much unregulated before. Since then, many of the court reporting schools have closed. Now, state law says that a school can require only one 10-minute qualifier in order to allow someone to sit for the state test. Back then, our school was requiring three 15-minute qualifiers. I had 2 on the board when I dropped.

Ok. I know this is a little more info than anyone asked for. Sorry for getting carried away. But if you can pass that qualifer and start working, you do make lots of money. And while you will probably get yelled at my an atty (my friends who stuck it out do), you are not his employee, stuck in an office with him all day. It seems to me that the job satisfaction rate is about %50+. A lot better than legal sec or paralegal.

Paralegal in Dallas, Texas said: Court reporting school has about a 92% drop out rate. It's a very difficult skill to learn. In Texas you have to write 225 wpm with 5 or fewer mistakes before you can sit for the test in Austin. You can spend years and years and tons of money trying to get up to that speed.

This is why court reporting is a better choice. It's a true profession. The better you get, the more opportunities you get - the more money you make. You also have more control of your work hours.

I DID IT. It took me three years get there. Of course it's work. I reached RPR status. It was the most hardest thing I ever did - and the most thrilling.

It does not cost "thousands of dollars". Start out with a used manual machine. You can get one now for $50.00 on e-bay. Get the Stenograph theory book. That book is very thorough. When you're done with it you're ready to start building speed. You buy speed tapes, and you practice several times a day. And I don't mean all day practice because that's worthless - maybe 45 minutes twice or three times a day.

With paralegal or secretary, you're competing with a whole punch of people.

I cut and pasted here the important stuff.

At some point years after I attended they dropped the college degree requirement to be just a 2 year degree (associates) instead of a 4 year degree, yet it was still ABA approved.

And while you will probably get yelled at my an atty (my friends who stuck it out do), you are not his employee, stuck in an office with him all day.

So, it's hard to say what this paralegal diploma will do for your sister. Is she smart? Is she cute? Does she have a good personality? Is she a hard worker? Is she reliable? Does she have connections? Anyone in the family an attorney? These things will mean more, but just know it's really hard to find that first paralegal job. Half or over half my paralegal class never found paralegal jobs after getting their paralegal certificate.

Whoever took the one court reporting program - that was truly a SCAM. It was set up so no one could complete the requirements - and would get so close, they would keep trying. But the carrot dangling in front of you was always out of reach.

That is true a lot of states did not have any requirements for court reporter. Florida had to be the WORST. It had no requirements. So, me, with my RPR, which I worked my asss to get, I was competing with girls a few years younger, cute perkier. Even being young, I was never considered cute, pretty or perky.

When I got out, there were thirteen court reporting firms in the Tampa area. Twenty years ago, one girl I spoke to, she was paying $17,000 for her training - because it was being taught by a court reporter. (Ah, Duh, of course, it was).

Finally, NSRA got involved. Florida now has regulations for court reporters. Now, there is one school teaching court reporting.

she doesnt have any college education ( even though i have told her she should take that route) and the school is called "court reporting institute" who offers a "paralegal diploma"... I dont know if they are legit or not. They claim to be accredited by some agency, but I'm not in the legal field so I dont know??? From the posts I've read, it seems like a scam that wont guarantee her a job or stability in the future....thanks for all the replies and advice.

I was a court reporter (training three years; worked ten years). I have been a legal assistant 20 years).

I just went to the website. I would say it is not a good institute. They had a section for Court Reporting Jobs - and it took me to INDEED.

A diploma is not even an associate degree in anything. I have never heard of anyone getting a diploma in paralegal studies. Everyone gets at a minimum an AA degree, and some schools now have a Bachelor's Degree.

There is absolutely nothing on that website about the program. If you want any information about the program, and then they will send it to you - AND HOUND YOU TO DEATH. At a bare minimum, a webwsite should have (1) what training is being provided, what classes; (2) how long the classes last; (3) who teaches the classes: (4) how much they cost. This website had nothing.

Most likely, anyone who gets a "Diploma" (hint, hint, diploma, like a mail order diploma from Penn Foster), they are competing with people with a real AA or BS degree in Paralegal Studies. That diploma seems almost worthless.

Boston University has an online paralegal course, providing certification (not a diploma). It is $3,600.00.

professional.bu.edu/cpe/paracert.asp

chritsina in Houston, Texas said: she doesnt have any college education ( even though i have told her she should take that route) and the school is called "court reporting institute" who offers a "paralegal diploma"... I dont know if they are legit or not. They claim to be accredited by some agency, but I'm not in the legal field so I dont know??? From the posts I've read, it seems like a scam that wont guarantee her a job or stability in the future....thanks for all the replies and advice.

Your sister should talk to those who have actually been working in the field a while. Most of them can't stand it and regret their decision. All of my coworkers felt that way. And when you work in an office full of people who hate their jobs (because of the people for whom they work), it's NOT a pleasant work environment. More often than not, it's a very tense and hostile work environment. I'm a former legal secretary. It was the worst thing I ever did in my life. I left the industry at 39 to go back to school full time and finish my B.A. I'll never work for attys again, regardless of the economy.

Do you have to have a college degree to become a court reporter in the state of Florida? I have a high school diploma but have been working in the legal field for 25 years.

Check out the National Court Reporter's Association website: www.ncraonline.org. You can find information on what's required and accredited CR schools in FL.

Denise Ludwig in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: Do you have to have a college degree to become a court reporter in the state of Florida? I have a high school diploma but have been working in the legal field for 25 years.

If you have been working in the legal field for 25 years, you have a good start. Most go to reporting program and get an AA in court reporting (which is what I have).

The program is intense. A lot of states (excluding Florida) require that you be in a reporting program, and must pass qualifying tests to take the tests. There was a lot of problems with a school in Washington - which made their program so hard, students couldn't make the qualifiers - and they filed suit against the school.

There are several programs on line for court reporting school. The last time I looked at ncraonline.org, they were starting a test pilot program, and were offering a program for free.

Denise, since you're living in Florida, you have it easy. Florida has no "requirements" to be a reporter. However, how are you going to get a job if you haven't passed the RPR and you can't prove your speed skills?

About twenty years ago court reporters were opening their own schools, putting the students through at lightening speed (unqualified). The market was flooded with a bunch of unqualified reporters. Good schools require 225 Q&A, 200 JC and 180 Lit - at 95 percent accuracy.

Damn, I need to replace this keyboard.

I attended auburn unniversity for two years then i switched in order to enroll in an ABA approved paralegal program, I will be receiving an Associates in paralegal studies, because of pre-requesites I will not be finishing till the fall of 2010. My question is since I can only take 2-3 classes at a time would my free time be better spent obtaining a Bachelors (in whatever, any sugestions?) or aquiring experince try to get an entry level job in a law firm, work pro-bono in the state att office or any other agency. I do not need to work but am concerned about job listings wanting experience and lots of it. I want to use the time as efficiently as possible. I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR SUGGESTIONS, THANKS

auburngirl in Miami, Florida said: I attended auburn unniversity for two years then i switched in order to enroll in an ABA approved paralegal program, I will be receiving an Associates in paralegal studies, because of pre-requesites I will not be finishing till the fall of 2010. My question is since I can only take 2-3 classes at a time would my free time be better spent obtaining a Bachelors (in whatever, any sugestions?) or aquiring experince try to get an entry level job in a law firm, work pro-bono in the state att office or any other agency. I do not need to work but am concerned about job listings wanting experience and lots of it. I want to use the time as efficiently as possible. I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR SUGGESTIONS, THANKS

How about doing those credits towards education. That way, you have several job choices. Writing and English classes are a good choice - and use some for education.

All your suggestions have been very helpful. Thank you so much!

Auburngirl:

I would recommend getting whatever lawfirm/legal experience you can get. Working in the State Aty.'s office would make you desirable to criminal defense attorneys. Join your local paralegal association; they often offer discounted memberships to students. Network. Do an inter/externship. Get whatever practical and substantive legal experience you can. In Florida, a Paralegal AA and legal experience will get you farther than a BA and no experience. Also, keep track of your employers and the amount of time you spend doing substantive paralegal work. This will be important when you're ready to apply for FRP status from the Florida Bar. I know many successful Paralegals who 'only' have a Paralegal AA.

Also, the job market for teachers in Florida sucks, always has, but even more so with all the budget cuts, etc. Unless you have an overwhelming passion to teach, I wouldn't waste your time in that direction. There are many well-qualified, unemployed teachers right now, and those will be the first to fill any new positions that may come open at a later date. Not to mention, FL is way behind in terms of teacher salaries.

Denise Ludwig in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: Do you have to have a college degree to become a court reporter in the state of Florida? I have a high school diploma but have been working in the legal field for 25 years.

Denise - talk to court reporters and ask them where they went to school. If you don't find any who went to the school you want to attend the PLEASE, PLEASE thoroughly check out the school. If you can get into court reporting, it's a rewarding profession. I went to school at what was supposed to be the #1 school in the nation in LA in the early 90's. I dropped out after over 4 years in school. They tell you it's a 2-year program.

At the time, we had to write at 225 wpm to graduate. To be allowed to take the state test, we had to pass 3 qualifiers that were 15 mins each - Q&A at 200 wpm. Some students would get around the qualifier requirement by going over to Las Vegas and taking their test because that test automatically qualified you to take the test in CA. At one time, Idaho's test qualified for CA but not any more. It takes years to get your speed up to that point. Once you have the speed, if you have a problem with nerves (I had a terrible problem), that will make it difficult because you will hit the wrong keys during the test. I had a big prob w/that.

When I ask other people how long they took to get out of school, they usually tell me 2 or 3 years. It was taking 5+ years for the girls to get thru the program where I went. I don't know why. There were many disgruntled students at this school. Many of them went to an atty, who negotiated with the school's owner for a settlement. They tell everyone it's a 2-year program, and it seemed as if the owner had policies implemented that would keep you there longer which meant paying tuiton longer so more money in her pocket.

...For example, you started out taking a sequence of 3 english grammar/punctuation classes along w/speed classes. If you were still at the school more than 2 years after you finished English, she would consider it outdated, and you would have to take it over again - same class, same books - which meant taking time away from speed building.

The woman who owned the school was still alive 2 years ago and probably 90 now. Her mother opened it in 1940, and it's a family run business. I was told she had a lot of pull at the Nat'l Court Reporter's Assn in Virginia. Some of us felt she had somewhat of a Dynasty in the court reporting field. She didn't like students passing tests elsewhere because that got them to the CA state test and out of her school sooner. Many students went to the Nevada state test because it qualified you for California. The year that I took Nevada's test, the four readers for that test were the owner of our school in LA, her son, grandson, and granddaughter-in-law. Conflict of interest? At around the time I started CR school in '94 is about the time that Idaho's state test no longer qualified you to take the test for CA. I was told that Idaho's test was very easy (Nevada's is the same as CA's), and that the owner of our school had a lot to do with the fact that it was no longer a qualifying test for CA.

I quit school at a time when there were alot of disgruntled students. Officials from NCRA in Virginia came out to investigate. A former classmate testified before the Sunset Review Committee, I was told. Now there are strict regs under the CA codes that govern court reporting schools. Many of these schools have since closed (not the one I attended). And now state law says that a school can require just 1 10-min qualifier to get to the state test (we had to have 3 15-mins). Recently, I heard that the test is now offered 3 times a year; before, it was twice a year.

I am sorry this is so long. You just need to check out the school. I think that it's very important to go to the students who are in the top speed class and ask them how long they have been in school. How often are qualifiers offered? Our qualifiers weren't offered year round. They were every Tues and Thurs for the 6 weeks before the deadline to have your paperwork in for the state test, in other words, 12 weeks out of the year. Once the deadline passed to have your paperwork in, qualifiers stopped until the next cycle in 6 months. This created pressure and nerve problems, keeping several of the students in school long after they could comfortably write at the required speed.

Something else we thought was dirty: If you were able to get 2 of the required 3 qualifiers during that one 6-week period, you were only allowed to carry one qualifier over to the next cycle, meaning that when qualifers started up again, you still needed to pass 2 to get to the state test. That happened to me. When I finally did quit school, I already had my license in WA state, I had 2 qualifiers down AND quit in the middle of the qualifying cycle. I was so burnt out.

Sorry for the rant. I just don't want to see anyone get screwed like I did. I was still paying for the student loans when I went back to school AGAIN to get out of law altogether. I would strongly recommend against legal sec/paralegal work - it's a nasty way to spend your day, dead end, and worthless. Attys are the worst. But court reporting is a decent way to go-JUST RESEARCH THE SCHOOL! My best friend with whom I went to school now drives a 740 BMW and lives in a beautiful condo in Pasadena. Another friend bought an agency and makes $180K+/year. Most women who do depos complain a lot. Why? you guessed it - the attys treat them like crap. But if you work in court in front of a judge, it's a totally differnt ball game. They (the attys) totally a$$ kiss the court reporters.

I know I get long winded sometimes - sorry. Mary in Tampa, I think I asked you how long you were in school. You told me, but I don't remember. Anyways, I welcome your comments. If you actually worked as a court reporter, you have more experience than I because I only had my license in WA state. I never did move up there for work.

Some of these court reporting schools - make it so hard that you can't get through. The longer you're in their school, the more money they make. I am not surprised at the four years in the California School.

Truth is, if you already have a legal background, are older, wiser, some college, you don't need to go to college for court reporting. I did a good post last week on court reporting. Go back about a week.

It took me three years to get through school. In Florida, some make it through in a year. Some call it a 15 month program.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Just a point/query about court reporting. Aren't court reporters used outside of law? I recall reading that court reporters are used to take minutes of conventions. I recall a jobseekers' reference checking service that uses court reporters to check suspected bad references. It would seem that court reporting would be a good vocational choice if one has the aptitude and interest, and can develop the speed, etc.

Hi DLP - I've never heard of court reporters being involved in background checks. I have heard of them taking meetings at conventions and, of course, closed captioning.

It does makes me very uneasy not having a bachelors, although I have heard of very successsful paralegals without one. I don't want to risk it. Like the first post after my initial question stated "you can not worry that much about experience"everyone has to start out somewhere. I'm so glad I found this forum it has been very helpful to read all the different points of view. Thanks again to all.

HI my name is Ashley I live in the HOuston area and currently go to the court reporting institute. I actually have left the campus to continue my education online. I have been stuck in my 120's-140's for a while. I have taken at least two leaves of absence about a year ago do to stress and nerves. That is when I decided to try the online program. I really like this career choice but I am very flustered with not moving on. From the time I started which was Oct. of 2006 I would move up every three months with out a problem. I felt that I had this in the bag. Then personal issues came up and i had to take a break almost immediatly when I got to my 120's. I came back and passed two 120 lits with in the first couple weeks of returning. Then nerves kicked in because of personal issues. Anyways I enjoy the online program because I can do it on my own time but I feel I am falling back in my speed and I have not passed a test in 4 months. I have thought about the paralegal program but felt like all that I have put in thus far for court reporting would be a waist. I know I can make a lot of money and it is flexible, but I just want to finish school. I am a 26 year old single mom and I bartend to pay my bills. I desperately want out of that life and to have a career. I was searching to day about the paralegal program and taught wow I could get out soon and make some steady money. Then I came across this sight and read what you and others said so now I am baffled again. I need advice. This school is hard, costly and I don't have all the time in the world to devote to it. DO you have some advice? Also when I first went to check the program out I was not told how long and how much I would have to devote to it. It is really upsetting.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Just a point/query about court reporting. Aren't court reporters used outside of law? I recall reading that court reporters are used to take minutes of conventions. I recall a jobseekers' reference checking service that uses court reporters to check suspected bad references. It would seem that court reporting would be a good vocational choice if one has the aptitude and interest, and can develop the speed, etc.

Court reporters take statements at police stations. They do real time (closed captioned for TV). They do congressional meetings.

Ashley 82. You have a mental block. Start building again - at 100. I meditated twice a day. It really helped to free my mind - and my speed went from 140 Q&A to 225 FAST.

I knew I forgot something. Also change your practice strategy. Do three times a day - twenty minutes each. Just fixate on getting words, phrases, sentences. If you miss hugh sections, that's okay. What you are striving for is 95 percent accuracy.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Ashley 82. You have a mental block. Start building again - at 100. I meditated twice a day. It really helped to free my mind - and my speed went from 140 Q&A to 225 FAST.

I have never meditated. I did start jogging/fast walking this morning. So should I practice at 100 this whole week then move up to 120 next week? Or a little of both everyday? Since I am doing this online I don't really have a plan or a structure nothing at all atually. What do you advise in order to pick up my speed?

Start at 100. Focus on just getting the words - CORRECTLY. Even if you get two or three in a row right - at least they're right. When the 100 feels good, then move to 110 or 120. Go back to a slower speed just to keep your accuracy and "high" in check. In spurts, works at something higher.

Meditation is great for creating an emotional high - something a court reporter needs.

Practice 20/30 minutes at a time (no more). Otherwise, you become unproductive.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Start at 100. Focus on just getting the words - CORRECTLY. Even if you get two or three in a row right - at least they're right. When the 100 feels good, then move to 110 or 120. Go back to a slower speed just to keep your accuracy and "high" in check. In spurts, works at something higher.

Meditation is great for creating an emotional high - something a court reporter needs.

Practice 20/30 minutes at a time (no more). Otherwise, you become unproductive.

Thank you. I will start that tonight. I do five minute takes and I try to perfect thoughs, they are recordings the school gives us. WOrds I do not remember I write down and then continue the same take.
SO I should not give this up to do the paralegal program then?

Work on your briefs. Do you have a brief book? When you hit a word that is hard to write, then get a brief for it and practice it.

One word I have a hard time with is When. It's hard to get the Wh together. I shorten it now to wen.

Hi all,
I recently obtained my B.A. in English from a good university,and also possess 9 credits in graduate school work, I am looking to start an entry level position at a law firm,NYC is my top choice. Any advice as for starting out? Where to look? etc?

Yes, I am using Phoenix theory, and yes I have the book Brief Encounters. I never go to any website but I will check them out. I am currently taking court reporters English which I find very challenging, especially trying to figure it all out on my own. I have never been really good at punctuating, which has been a problem with my tests. But hopefully after taking this class I will see a major improvement when it comes to punctuating my tests. It's funny you say you have a hard time with the Wh words mine is the es and ez endings and the ittle and iddle endings, mostly endings. I wish I could have a tutor or a mentor. My class online is very helpful we motivate eachother. I just sometimes have a hard time motivating my self. I am constantly thinking of briefs when people are talking or watching TV I mentally picture the brief in my head which is weird but it just happens.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: What kind of entry level job do you want? You would first need to earn a paralegal certificate to be competitive for that vocation. Also consider that law firm hiring is slow right now because of the recession. Many firms have laid off people, including paralegals.

I am only half way through the program and will earn my associates degree when I am done and a certificate after passing the state test in Austin Texas. When I do get done with school when ever that will be I would like to do depos at least that was what I was told to do.

Paralegal,preferably, I have looked into getting an ABA approved certificate,however,it seems as if most firms prefer a recent graduate with a degree. Yet, even these jobs seem to be very competitive,boasting hundreds of applicants. Is this the wrong career field to get into? I really have a profound interest in the law, and would love to work as a paralegal,no real desire to attend law school.Thanks!

Kristy - be sure and read the abovethelaw.com blog which is about the big law firms, esp the ones based in New York. They are having massive layoffs.

Thank you so much for your well spoken,and well thought out response. I have heard many of the same things. I currently have an oppurtunity to work for eight-dollars an hour as a legal assitant with a one-woman law office,I was considering to be a decent option considering the job market. Yet, it seems very hard to compromise with investing a great deal of time and money for a degree,only to get paid such a low rate! Is it worth the sacrifice,that is the ultimate question...Still pondering that... :{

Kristy,

While the pay for this first job isn't great, you have to earn your stripes somewhere. Starting out with a solo attorney will give you greater exposure to many different areas of law, and hopefully, like my entry-level solo aty. experience, she will give you hands on mentoring and substantive teaching. Solo attorneys don't have the luxury of being so categorically task specific in delegating work to staff. They need 'all hands on deck', and if you show initiative and the desire to learn and take on more and more substantive work, they'll train you and give you more substantive assignments. You could easily spend 2-3 years with a solo and truly earn the right to use the title 'Paralegal'.

The big firms rarely have entry-level positions because they have neither the time nor desire to train. You could start with this solo aty., give it at least 2 solid years, take the NALA CLA/CP exam, and then be well-qualified to move on to a paralegal position with another firm. Check out the criteria to sit for the NALA exam at www.nala.org/Certification.aspx

Best of Luck!

Thank you all for your wise,and informative comments,it has been by far the best mentoring I have recieved in my quest. I got another phone call today to interview with a small private office starting out 2-3 days a week with the potential to go full-time. ( I cancelled my appt. with the previous attorney making 8 an hour) I did not cancel however for the pay, it was the commute, and hours,which didn't seem to constitute as being feasible. This new position I will interview for is much closer to home,and an easier commute.I think I am willing to give my all for two years making a low salary. Every career has to begin somewhere! Even with a degree these days, you must start at the bottom, with typically low pay. A lot of my friends who graduated recently have taken recption positions, waitress, or work at local stores due to them being unable to secure a job. And mind you, these are men and women with degrees and great grades. An oppurtunity to me is golden, you have to work hard to get what you want,whether that be attending a 4 year school,or working out of high school! :)
Cheers!

Yes, It is. I want to give it a shot,if it iss horrible,or not for me, then my lesson is learned!

Kristy:

I graduated in 2000 with my BA in Poli. Sci with plans to go to law school. Then the telecom/dot.com bubble burst and the company I was working at 100 hours a week to save money for law school closed down. It took 9 months, but I finally landed a job as a Legal Secretary for a small 2-attorney firm, which eventually became a solo practice. I started making $8/hr - I worked there 5 years, during which time I went back and got my Paralegal BA. Those 5 years were invaluable, as my attorney mentored me one-one; I learned more from him than from the 2 paralegals in the office. Once I graduated, he couldn't afford me anymore, but with his stellar reputation and recommendation behind me, I landed my current job at one of the oldest and largest firms in our town.

I know many paralegals who have a BA in another field, work experience, and then went on to get their NALA certification. They are well-qualified and highly sought after if/when they decide to change employers. As I said before, you have to get your foot in the door and work your way up somewhere. You may also want to join the LAT-Listserve: www.legalassistanttoday.com/lat-forum/default.htm, especially if you start out as a newbie in a small firm. It's a great resource to ask questions, get tips, forms, etc.

Best of Luck!

P.S. Here are the complete requirements for sitting for NALA's CLA/CP exam. You already have a BA in English, so one year of solid work experience will qualify you to sit for the exam.

To be eligible for the CP examination, a paralegal must meet one of the following alternate requirements:

1. Graduation from a paralegal program that is:

* (a) Approved by the American Bar Association; or
* (b) An associate degree program; or
* (c) A post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies; or
* (d) A bachelor's degree program in legal assistant studies; or
* (e) A legal assistant program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (900 clock hours or 90 quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

NOTE: Under Category 1(e), an applicant may combine college hours from more than one institution. The applicant must have graduated from a legal assistant program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22½ quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year's experience as a paralegal. Successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or 22.5 quarter hours or 225 clock hours) of substantive paralegal courses will be considered equivalent to one year's experience as a paralegal.

3. A high school diploma or equivalent plus seven (7) years' experience as a paralegal under the supervision of a member of the Bar, plus evidence of a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing legal education credit to have been completed within a two (2) year period prior to the examination date.

**Additional forms will be required of all candidates if

Jane,thanks so much for the insight,I am nervous to possibly start a career in the field, as it is a huge investment! I spoke on the phone with the attorney for a sold half an hour talking about why I wanted the position,as it is only part-time to start. He seemed to think I was "overqualified" which I found somewhat odd considering people like yourself,and other legal assistants hold degrees! He then talked of his previous assistants who all had degress. Anyhow, I have an interview on Friday,and am contemplating everything a lot!

My plan was to work as a legal assistant/paralegal for a year,then perhaps go to law school part-time at night while continuing to work. If anyone out there has done that,or knows of someone who has, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Kristy:

When I interviewed with my solo attorney, I told him that I wanted to go to law school and that since life had thrown me a financial curve, I wanted to try an entry-level position first to make sure this was the right career for me. I also told him that I would work 2 years, then I was off to law school. It only took 6 months for me to decide that I didn't want to be an attorney after all, but I did like the 'paralegal gig'. There is so much more to being an attorney than just practicing law - there's the practice of law, owning/running a business, the community service expectations, and the social obligations/networking one must do to constantly promote and build one's practice. Not to mention one's family and personal commitments. There is a reason for the saying "the law is a jealous mistress." I know a lot of happy paralegals, I don't know too many truly happy attorneys. Good attorneys, successful attorneys, nice attorneys, but not truly happy ones.

Just something to think about.

chritsina in Houston, Texas said: the school is " court reporting institute" in houston tx. She has no Asso. or bachelors' degree... would the diploma allow her to become certified or hold any type of state acknowledgement???

I go to that school but for court reporting, and while she could obtain a Paralegal diploma, any Academic classes taken there will not be recognized by the majority of other schools. It's a legit program but don't waste you're money there! The school is un-organized and the staff is horrible.