Why Become a Paralegal?

Your Future is NOW!
Paralegals and Legal Assistants are among the fastest growing occupations in the US today! The U.S. Department of Labor predicts jobs for paralegals will grow much faster than average through 2018.

According to the US Dept. of Labor, "While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. In fact, paralegals—also called legal assistants—are continuing to assume a growing range of tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers."

The Paralegal Career
A paralegal or legal assistant is someone who is prepared to step into a position of substantial responsibility within the legal community. It is a challenging and fulfilling career that may be perfect for you if you are interested in doing paralegal research, drafting legal documents, working with clients and lawyers, and assisting in trial preparation.

Paralegal or Legal Assistant Job Opportunities
As a paralegal or legal assistant, you may work at a private law firm. Or you may choose a career as an important player in organizations such as these:

Banks and Savings and Loan Institutions
Law Firms
Construction Companies
Law Schools
Corporate Legal Departments
Legal Aid Societies
Court Reporting Agencies
Municipal, Trial & Appellate Courts
Federal and State Banking Agencies
Private Investigators
Insurance Companies
Sheriff's Departments
Internal Revenue Service
Title Companies

What kind of role will you play as a paralegal? Consider these possibilities:

Benefits Representative
Immigration Law Specialist
Bankruptcy Law Specialist
Information & Referral Specialist
Case Advocate and Specialist
Legal Research Specialist
Community Education Specialist
Legislative Advocate
Consumer Law Specialist
Public Entitlement Specialist
Domestic Relations Specialist
Senior Citizens Specialist
Employment Law Specialist
Social Security Specialist
Health Law Specialist
Tribal Court Representative
Housing/Tenant Law Specialist
Wills Procedures Specialist¹

What Can You Earn as a Paralegal?
According to the National Association of Legal Assistants,* paralegals earned an average salary of $48,211 in 2008. In addition to a salary, many paralegals received a bonus, which averaged about $3,808.

In 2008, full-time, wage and salaried paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings of $46,120. The middle 50% earned between $36,080 and $59,310. The top 10% earned more than $73,450. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of paralegals in 2008 were as follows:

Federal Government $58,540
Management of companies and enterprises $55,910
Insurance carriers $52,200
Employment Services $50,050
Legal Services $44,480 **

* 2008 National Utilization & Compensation Survey Report - NALA.
** U.S. Bureau. of Labor Statistics, 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook

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BCI provides an excellent foundation for anyone interested in earning a paralegal diploma from home. With more than a century of expertise, Blackstone offers a committed, responsive faculty and a quality education, all at an affordable rate.