I spent a lot of time researching different fields and read lots of good things about paralegals. They’re in demand these days, earn a terrific salary right from the start, and are well respected. That last part is very important to me because I’m tired of people considering me as being somehow lower on the class totem pole just because of the job I have. Another reason I’ve decided to look at paralegal certificate programs is that they seem to be a good fit for where I am in life. I am not a fresh-faced 18-year-old recent high school grad, so I don’t want to sit through four years of college classes. Paralegals can be certified in a much shorter period of time, meaning I’ll be able to embark on my new career in 15 months or less. That sounds great to me!

As I look through all the different paralegal certificate programs available today, I’m going to keep a few things in mind. First, I have to make sure the program I choose is accredited. I’ve already learned that the accreditation criteria for paralegal certificate programs are different than degree-granting institutions, so there are a couple ways to look at this. If I take my courses through an accredited community college, then any certificates I earn will be accredited by extension. If I take my courses through a private entity that only offers vocational/technical certificates, then I have to make sure the program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). This information should be easy to find, so if it’s not I’ll just steer clear.

Another thing I want to look at is job placement assistance. Some paralegal certificate programs offer a guarantee that they can place you in a good job within a few months of graduation. Institutions that have this option often charge a bit more for tuition, but their connections could very well be worth it, especially in a bad economy. It would be great not to have to worry about getting my foot in the door after earning my certification!

I know I still have a long way to go, but I am very excited at the prospect of having a career I can be proud of. I’m going to keep looking at the details of these paralegal certificate programs so I can narrow down my choices and enroll. I can’t wait to change my life!

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