The Benefits of Paralegal Community College Programs

It is the job of a paralegal to work in a supportive capacity to lawyers, generally at a law firm, a private attorney's office, or perhaps even a corporate entity.

This type of profession often involves several different tasks, including (but not limited to) research, document creation (generally of the drafting variety), correspondence, and filing, just for example.

And while many do paralegal work as a way to earn a living while they pursue a degree in law, there are plenty of students that are more than happy to obtain a 2-year degree in paralegal studies at the community college level as a fast-track to gainful employment (with starting salaries averaging more than $45,000 per year, it's not hard to see why this option is appealing).

[Check out the post, Community College to Law School: 5 Awesome Admission Secrets Exposed to learn more about going to Law School after community college]

But what are the benefits of pursuing training at the community college level instead of going straight to law school?

There are several.

The most obvious mark in the plus column goes to finances, and this is especially true if you're only planning to obtain a degree that will allow you to become a paralegal.

If you have no interest in getting a bachelor's degree or going on to a master's in law, then why on earth would you waste your money on some Ivy League education (or even a state school, for that matter)?

Many community colleges in New York, California, Chicago, etc. offer this type of 2-year program and students that come out of it will be prepared to test for certification and qualified to get a job. So why not save some money in the long run?

Another major benefit is that you will likely have inroads within the community when it comes to getting jobs.

In case you didn't know, every state has different codes of law.

This is why lawyers that pass the bar are generally only licensed to work in the state in which they took the exam (or in a small collective of states in a particular region, as dictated by interstate agreements in some cases).

Although you won't be required to pass the bar in order to become a paralegal, it's probably a good idea to attend school in the area in which you would like to become employed. Attending community college makes this prospect a lot more doable.

In addition, the campus you choose may have internship opportunities or other connections within the community that could help you to land a job after obtaining your AA or paralegal certification.

Finally, you'll find that most states do not require certification in order to become a paralegal.

And some employers don't require it, either. However, this has led to large pools of applicants for such positions, so having an edge is important.

And whether you're looking to enter a top firm in your area as a paralegal while you continue working towards a law degree or you're content to process paperwork for clients out on bail bonds Jacksonville FL to Los Angeles, CA, you'll have a much better chance of getting the gig if you obtain paralegal training at the community college level, secure your AA, and receive certification.

The long-term benefits of choosing this course instead of winging it are pretty easy to ascertain; you're much more likely to get (and hold) a job in the paralegal field.