Online Training for (and During) a Paralegal Career

by Joe Cooper
Online Degrees Columnist

Online training can not only prepare students to begin careers, but it can also help to advance them. The earning potential for paralegals is higher than you think, and online training can help you get there.

Job Competition as a Paralegal
Competition has always been high in the legal industry, and not only for attorneys. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the paralegal field will grow quickly, and notes that nearly all paralegals have an associate's or bachelor's degree. You can qualify for many paralegal positions with simply a paralegal certificate, but training is still necessary for advancement.

You can now get this training at convenient, affordable online paralegal schools. Enrollment at an online paralegal school often pays for itself--either in potential career advancement, or through employer tuition benefits.

Earning More as a Paralegal
Many paralegals begin as legal secretaries, and advance to paralegal positions to gain more responsibility and higher compensation. All paralegals must gain the legal expertise that their job tasks require.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the middle 50% of paralegals in 2004 earned between $31,040 and $49,950. With ongoing training, and years of experience some paralegals have potential to make over $60,000. The important part of this potential is education; if you keep your training up-to-date as a paralegal, you will afford yourself the best career opportunities down the road.

Sources
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, "Legal offices face secretary shortage"
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Paralegals and Legal Assistants"

About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.

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