I would like to go school to become a paralegal... If that is your title let me know some of your personal experiences, pay, school... was it very difficult? Let me know thanks.
I went to school to be a paralegal and was a paralegal for a criminal defense/civil litigation attorney. It was OK, but the pay wasn't there. When I lived in NJ pay ranged from 34k to 50k. In Virginia it was 22k to 35k and Florida was the same. It depends on where you live. If you live near a bigger city (which I didn't) the pay seems to be higher and the needs greater. Also, in VA there where only certificate programs in my area, not degree program, so paralegals didn't have the same responsibilities as they did in NJ. You many want to get an entry level position in a law firm as a receptionist or something, so you can see what it is like. Though the responsibility vary from firm to firm and depend a lot on what type of education you obtain.
I don't regret going to school to be a paralegal though. I learned a lot about contracts and other legal forms that are helpful to me in the corporate world. I'm now in management and getting my BA in Management.
I am currently attending Kaplan Online University to get my AA degree in paralegal studies. It is hard work but it will pay off in the end. I love the online class environment. You really do learn more this way I think. There is a lot to learn, but it all sticks with you so easily. I just started and I should be done in a year. How long it takes depends on how many credits you already have. It's the same period of time for your AA degree as it would be no matter what you were majoring in. I have heard there are Paralegal Certificate type of classes that you can take in less time, although I have also heard that employers tend to shy away from those types of students during the hiring process.
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