8 Reasons to Pursue a Career in Paralegal Studies (2024)

Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you also have a passion for learning about aspects of the legal field? Do you aspire to have a career with a promising salary and long-term job security? If you answered yes, these are some of the many reasons you should consider getting a degree in paralegal studies.

What are the Benefits of a Paralegal Career?

1. Salary – The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $51,740 in May 2019 and will continue to rise.
2. Job Security – The outlook for the paralegal industry is extremely strong and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the paralegal profession is projected to grow much faster than other occupations, expanding by more than 12 percent by 2028.
3. Work Environment – Becoming a paralegal provides flexibility in different areas you can work in outside of a courtroom. A paralegal can work in corporations, real estate, and hospitals. Paralegals can work as a discovery liaison, legal administrator of business, claims adjuster/investigator, tax preparer, list management, bankruptcy petition preparer, compliance, real estate and title insurance paralegal, government paralegal and nursing paralegal.
4. Communication and People Skills – Being a paralegal offers the opportunity to enhance your communication and people skills. Being able to communicate well is at the heart of being a paralegal. A paralegal will always be communicating, whether via the phone, email, memo, letter, or in-person – communication needs to be concise and to the point. People skills will help you to listen better and be more attentive when dealing with clients.
5. Opportunity for Growth – Paralegals can advance within the law firm as well as their career. Many paralegals advance to supervisor or management positions.
6. Helping Others – Being a paralegal gives you the opportunity to help others, many of them suffering through a difficult experience in their lives. It is very rewarding to help someone during a difficult process and see the benefit they receive from your services.
7. Self-Employment – Paralegals can choose to freelance as independent contractors under the direct supervision of an attorney. They can work from home or in an office and set their own schedule.
8. Law School – For some paralegals, the love of law that they develop as a paralegal leads them to attend law school. Their paralegal background gives them a definite advantage over someone with no experience in the industry.

Why UC Online is the perfect fit?

• 100% online: no campus visits are required.
• Part-time and full-time scheduling: have the flexibility to balance work and family obligations while completing your degree.
• American Bar Association approved.
• All instructors are licensed attorneys with extensive experience working with paralegals.
• High job placement rate.

If you are interested in starting the path to this rewarding and fulfilling career as a paralegal, please contact us to get started today!

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.