How Long Does It Take To Become A Paralegal?

Being a paralegal is a great aspiration, something many people want to do. It’s different than being a lawyer or attorney, but in many ways you end up sharing the same tasks and cases. While it pays less, there’s also less responsibilities, and it takes a lot less to become one.

You often end up being the sidekick, the one who sees all the action and has a part in it, without being in the spot light. So if that’s the kind of job you want to do, how long does it take to become a paralegal?

First, becoming a paralegal is a several step process. You need to decide that the paralegal field is for you. This kind of job has several requirements, and only the right kind of people will succeed in it. First, you need to like laws and regulations. Even though you aren’t a lawyer, you will spend a lot of time in large books looking up old laws, interpreting laws, and dealing with the rule of the land. It says so in the name, and it’s no exaggeration.

While the lawyer will be in court arguing a case, you’re likely to be in a library, researching past cases, and studying laws. This applies for the college years as well, where a lot of your time will be spent memorizing these laws. The second requirement is having a lot of organization. Paralegals typically deal with a ton of cases, and whether you work directly with the public, or assist an attorney, you’ll have to juggle cases around and keep everything straight in your head.

Once you’ve decided that this is the job for you, then you can apply to a college to get a degree. A typical law degree or certificate to become a paralegal lasts two years, although it can vary depending on the college. A lot of community colleges often some type of paralegal course as well, which are typically less expensive and can take a bit less time. Then, it depends what exactly you intend to do. A lot of functions require you to have experience, so you will likely go on an internship.

If you work with full attorneys, then you will most likely spend a few years learning on the job, directly from them. If you intend to work in the public sector however, perhaps as an adviser to poor people who need legal help, then you may be thrust directly into the job place, without any other kind of training. Then it’s up to you to get good at your job by yourself.

Overall, the paralegal field is diverse and can be very exciting. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you have a good memory, good organizational skills, and a passion for laws, then it’s certainly something you can do, and it can bring a nice salary too. Becoming a paralegal takes a lot less time than becoming a lawyer, and can be just as exciting.