Should I become a paralegal?
448407
It depends on where you live.  I was a paralegal for 21 years and in Arkansas (where I live) you don't get much better than a really good legal secretary gets.  I live in a University town and there are too many law students willing to work for low pay so the attorneys around here don't pay much for paralegals.  I'm old enough to have been lucky to only have to  pass a state test (after being a legal secretary several years) and become a paralegal in Arkansas--that has changed now and you must attend a paralegal program.
143661
You shouldn't be ashamed.  But you should go into law with your eyes wide open.\n\nI think most people go into law school because "they want to help people."  They find out afterwards that it's impossible to earn even a meager living only helping people.  Most people leave law school looking to get into the biggest firm or make the most money, and helping people goes way down on their list of priorities (and that is easy when you have tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, you want a home and a car, and you have to pay professional insurance and bar dues).\n\nJust know that if you go into law, the odds are good that you will be an advocate of a client.  And if that client's desire is to screw someone else, it is your legal duty to help that client achieve whatever lawful goals he or she has.  Generally speaking, you do not get to decide if your client is right or wrong; you have to advocate for your client.  This is what so many lay people do not understand and it is why they hate lawyers so.
1085722
CPE doesn't exist anymore its the GDL now which is the equivalent. I am surprised if you have been following ilex then i thought you were already doing a legal job of somekind. The problem is, without a lpc, no one will employ you, even as paralegal, academic law is pretty much useless without the procedural basics. \n\nYour best bet, it to ask a local firm if you could just shadow someone who goes to court, or does stuff that you may be interested in learning. It may help your case to do some learning out a practice book in some areas.\n\nShadowing a barrister is popular, but don't know how much weight you could attach to it, but always fun. Go the local county court early and see if you can have a quick word with the duty solicitor.
322191
I'd check at some local colleges to see what kind of paralegal classes they offer.  There's some resources online to sign up for concordance and summation classes, but it really depends on what your location is.  Hope this was of some help.
577366
do you have any secretarial skills?  they help you get a paralegal position.  Also, some employers do not want to hire a person not finished with education.  They expect you will leave them for better job when you finish.
80162
I always say "If you can dream it, you can be it." You can be anything that you want to be. With enough hard work and dedication, you can do anything. Keep a positive outlook, even when times are hard, and study, study, study. It's never to early to start learning about your chosen career field. Start looking up legal cases on the internet, learn how to write essays well, talk to some Attorneys about how they got their start, (a lot of times you can send them emails) and brush up on your grammar and spelling skills. If you are old enough to get a part-time job, you can try to get a position (even if it's just emptying the trash) at a law firm so that you can familiarize yourself with the field of law. You'll be surprised what you can learn when you're working around them. Don't let go of that dream, Honey. You can do it!
826839
Same things as a normal secretary, except you have to be familiar with legal documents.  you might be required to perform some paralegal duties as well.
245396
If you've been laid off or qualify for unemployment, you may qualify for "job retraining" at a local community college or public voc-tech school, and these may offer paralegal training.\n\nThe best paralegal training you can get is on the job. See if there's a firm in your area who needs an extra hand, and let them know you want a career in the paralegal field - it may be worth their investment to get you started.
818267
Here are some links but Studying law is based a lot on the State you wish to practice - each State has its own laws\n\nhttp://www.hg.org/students.html\n\nhttp://getinfo.kaplan.edu/Microsite_B/paralegal.aspx\n\nhttp://www.ehow.com/how_5704_study-lsat.html\n\nhttp://www.classesusa.com/featuredschools/programs/featured_legal.cap;jsessionid=5442C08E59561AC58560E7C31347FB94?nopopup
189044
You can sometimes work for a nonprofit legal services agency under a special rule. You can offer to work as a paralegal until you pass the bar. You don't say what state you're in, so I have no idea how hard your state bar exam is.
658428
There is no necessary degree to be a paralegal because most states have no licensing or any other requirement for any person to be called a paralegal.\n\nThere is an acceditted associates degree in paralegal studies.  That's a two-year post-high school degree.  But don't look for that degree to help you get a job.\n\nMost if not all paralegals were hired as secretaries or clerks and trained by their law firms over the course of years.  Being somewhere that will train you and being capable of being trained is the most important thing.  At least a high school diploma is also important.
908826
I'm in the legal profession, so for me it would be a real treat.\n\nThe workload is very heavy.  The publicity, digging through the skeletons in my closet, death threats, etc. I could do without.  I don't know what they make, but probably not much more than I do (maybe less!) - although the benefits must be great.\n\nBut the chance to actually make a difference - you bet.\n\nHonestly, I'm bright enough to know that I'm not quite brilliant enough for the job!!!
859528
I know nothing about Canada, sorry.  I do know that it is never to late to follow a dream. If you feel like you are meant to be a paramedic then go for it!!!  It takes a very special person to do the job and do it right, I have 2 cousins who are paramedics and my best friends son is also. He didn't get into it until he was 31.  He is now 36 and goes all over Ca. to help out at wild fires. Get your education in order and when you go to apply, show self confidence and be sure of yourself and you will make it! If your in good medical shape you should have no problem.  GO FOR IT!!!  I'll pray for you, God bless, and good luck.
523061
You sound like you are very marketable.  I got into law school with a BA in Communications.  Law school admissions is not completely focused on the degree you have, but a mix of your GPA, LSAT score, personal statement, work experience, and letters of recommendation.  As far as jobs are concerned, I don't have a paralegal degree, but started working as a real estate paralegal in 2004.\n\nFinding a job is always about chance.  No matter what your degree is in you just have to present yourself well and demonstrate your marketable skills.  Attention to detail is always important in all you do, especially when writing your resume and cover letter.  A first impression is a lasting impression.
778221
It depends on what your associates degree is for and where you are living. I have an associates of applied science (paralegal) and it is a tough job market out there, just being out of school, with no real hands on experience. If your looking to get an associates degree I would highly reccomend something basic, like; accounting, business management, or medical transcription.
269339
All legal issues must be adjucated and done with before any branch will accept you.  Assuming you meet all other qualifications(moral, phyiscal) you may have a shot.
839829
HUH? \n\nIF a prostitute quit waking the streets, went to school for paralegal, and got hired somewhere as a paralegal....\n\nWhat difference does it make what she did before school? I'd applaud her for putting the effort in to get off the streets, before I'd question the legality of whatever you are talking about....