Thursday, October 6, 2011

Law Jobs - Paralegal vs. Legal

By Paul Simons


Getting a job in the legal field can lead to a very fulfilling long-term career. Depending on your goals and background, two popular law jobs are paralegals and lawyers. If you are just starting out, then applying to graduate paralegal jobs can be a great way to break into the competitive legal industry. Becoming a lawyer requires more schooling and experience than working as a paralegal, but it's something you can accomplish in the future as long as you are willing to work hard.

While becoming a lawyer or a paralegal are both respectable career choices, there are many differences between the two professions. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of these two popular law jobs can help you decide which one you are interested in pursuing. Keep in mind that you can work as a paralegal before becoming a lawyer. You can also become a lawyer without working as a paralegal first.

Graduate paralegal jobs don't require as much education or experience as lawyer jobs. If you are thinking of becoming a lawyer, it's a good idea to try being a paralegal before you spend a lot of time and money going to law school. Paralegals act as legal assistants. They must undergo legal training, but they are not required to go to law school.

Students that have recently completed law school can apply to graduate paralegal jobs to break into the field before they can start working as lawyers. But, you don't need a law degree to work as a paralegal. If you want to work as a lawyer, on the other hand, you must earn a law degree and fulfil legal requirements for lawyers that are set by the government. Law school can be very expensive, but lawyers have unlimited earning potential while paralegals do not.

While lawyers can make a lot more money than paralegals, they must also deal with much higher stress levels. Paralegals have a limited responsibility, and they enjoy a more relaxing atmosphere at work than lawyers. Lawyers must be able to handle a lot of stress, and they must be willing to work very long hours. Paralegals, on the other hand, have normal work schedules and rarely work on weekends.

Because paralegals act as assistants to lawyers, they typically share their workspace with others. Lawyers usually have their own offices. Although paralegals must be familiar with legal procedures, they are mostly responsible for administrative and secretarial tasks. They provide the clerical support lawyers need to do their job effectively.

Other differences between the two professions are the skills needed to succeed at each job. Paralegals must be organized and have great project management skills. Lawyers need good analytical and communication skills. Paralegals work on similar tasks every day while lawyers must be able to hand a diverse work load that requires different strategies and techniques.

Both careers have their pros and cons. The one you choose depends on your personality and future goals. If you are not sure whether you want to be a lawyer, apply for graduate paralegal jobs to learn more about the legal industry. Whether you choose to be a paralegal or pursue a law degree, a career in the legal field can be a very lucrative and rewarding decision.




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