paralegal diploma or certificate

ashley 82 in Houston, Texas said: 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.

It's funny that you say that, because I'll be in the car listening to the radio and trying to steno along in my head. If i come to a word or to something that I'm unsure of I look it up.

I am also a court reporter. I got my RPR back in 1981. I have been doing legal assistant work for 20 years, and am now going back to court reporting.

Texas has high standards for court reporting, so she (you) should be good for a job. Court reporting credits are as a general rule not transferrable for anything because it's so set off from the regular job skills needed.

Kristy P. in Howell, New Jersey said: 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... :{

YOu have to start somewhere. Many of us (paralegals), particulary myself, got their first paralegal job with a sole practioner. I was paid $11/hour and no benies. Yeah- it bit. However, I was there for 1 year 9 months. And when I left I had great expereince and confidence in my work abilities - to get the next job.

SO- hope you took it. Could be a long wait for the next offer.

In fact, after para school, we received a free 1 year membership to the Philadelphia Paralegal Association. The one thing I did get out of a Para Assoc luncheon, with guest speaker, an attorney, was that a para shared with me that she started at a sole practioner office - she now works for a BIG firm in Philadelpha. THat was 10 years ago. Point - got to pay your dues. Hope this helped you get pespective.

Kristy P. in Howell, New Jersey said: 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... :{

If the title is "legal assistant" it should be a mix of dictaphone work and substantive paralalegal tasts. That is what you need.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: I am also a court reporter. I got my RPR back in 1981. I have been doing legal assistant work for 20 years, and am now going back to court reporting.

Texas has high standards for court reporting, so she (you) should be good for a job. Court reporting credits are as a general rule not transferrable for anything because it's so set off from the regular job skills needed.

Very O/T - I put my picture up on the dating site, using 2 sites now- and I am getting a lot of nice looking men responding to me.

Just get on e-harmony, put your picture up and roll the dice. Who wants to work themselves to death and be alone doing it. I am rooting for you. You can do it. ANd do both things at once.

BACK to our regular scheduled program.

Cindy, thanks for your rooting.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: 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.

I disagree. If a person has for ex: a BS or AS or AA degree in something else a diploma/certifcate program are designed for ppl like those!! Its just considered "continuing education"! It would not make sense to have 2 BS degrees likewise 2 AS degrees.

This is the "worst" in the legal field. I see the need for an internship, but for a law firm to advertise this is disgusting. How many hardup people are going to apply to the "internship/job" and bust their buns to prove they are the right person for the job - only to be replaced with another freebie in a few months.

The Coleman Law Group is a St. Petersburg firm that practices in the areas of bankruptcy, criminal law, civil litigation, family law, probate and personal injury. We are currently seeking a part-time intern to work in the office. Duties include answering the phone, inputing client data, legal research, interaction with clients and fellow attorneys. Requirements: Must be a law student and available at least 20 hours per week. This is an unpaid internship with opportunity for salary based upon work performed. Please submit resumes to the above email address, telephone inquires will not be addressed. Please see the below link to our website for information about the firm.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: This is the "worst" in the legal field. I see the need for an internship, but for a law firm to advertise this is disgusting. How many hardup people are going to apply to the "internship/job" and bust their buns to prove they are the right person for the job - only to be replaced with another freebie in a few months.

The Coleman Law Group is a St. Petersburg firm that practices in the areas of bankruptcy, criminal law, civil litigation, family law, probate and personal injury. We are currently seeking a part-time intern to work in the office. Duties include answering the phone, inputing client data, legal research, interaction with clients and fellow attorneys. Requirements: Must be a law student and available at least 20 hours per week. This is an unpaid internship with opportunity for salary based upon work performed. Please submit resumes to the above email address, telephone inquires will not be addressed. Please see the below link to our website for information about the firm.

when you say the worst in "the legal field" what are you referring to?

What employers are expecting from employees - from really low wages, work hours, work hours without getting paid because you are "salary and valuable", harassment at work, whether by an attorney or another secretary, screaming, being blamed for everything. You get the idea.

But to advertise this "job" as unpaid internship, this is just disgusting. An internship is to learn about the job, it's a learning experience, to get exposure. You have a mentor. The only mentor in this job is the office manager who will be telling you what to do.