Being A Paralegal Essay

Paralegals are a crucial part of the criminal justice system. They are some of the hardest workers in the legal system, yet are sometimes underappreciated. It seems as though being a paralegal can stressful, exhausting, and overwhelming, but many find this worth the stress because they are challenged to solve problems, think creatively, and are making a difference and improving the lives of others. Overall, paralegals perform a range of duties that make them a vital part of the justice system, and though this job is stressful, it has benefits as well. The path to becoming a paralegal starts with college. For this profession, an associate’s degree is required, and will teach people the basic skills and information they need to become legal

Paralegal certification programs that do not require degrees are also an option, and can also help people who are seeking jobs in very specialized areas of law. These courses require varying amounts of credit hours, and are usually set up as part-time classes. Overall, to become a paralegal, people must graduate from an associate or bachelor’s degree program, a post- baccalaureate certification program, a paralegal program with legal courses and a minimum of 60 credit hours, or any paralegal program that is approved by the American Bar Association (“Paralegal Certificate, Certification, and Certified: What’s the Difference?”). Ultimately, the many pathways that can be taken to become a paralegal are a major benefit to getting started with this

This career entails long hours, challenging work, and a lot of paperwork. There are also not always opportunities for career advancement, and there can be a lack of respect for the profession as a whole. Overall, it is considered pretty stressful. However, the challenge can sometimes be enjoyable, and this job is rewarding because paralegals get to help others, and make a difference in people’s lives (Browning). Though being a paralegal appears to be a hard and stressful job, it seems like it has a lot of potential benefits as