Im 35 in 4 days, any thoughts on becoming a paralegal w/ no experience.?

Meddy Sue

Go for it! Regardless of whether you get your education in a few months or a couple years, you are going to be the same age as if you didn't go for it. I had a chance at age 30 to be trained on the job by the attorney I was working for as a legal secretary. Instead I went into nursing. I have regretted my decision many times since. 12 years ago I went back to school to become a court reporter and couldn't finish due to time and financial constraints. Today I still wish I were working in the legal field. My life would be entirely different now if I had followed my own desires rather than follow what others were influencing me to do. I have given thought to becoming a legal nurse consultant, however, I hope to retire in 5-6 years and don't feel like I would gain back what I will have to spend. You have many working years ahead of you and there is plenty of time for you to become a para-legal as well as move on from there and make it benefit you. Best of luck if you decide to go with it.

davidnicolewilson

I would say apply and also apply to a college to show the employer that you are serious. Remember a Paralegal degree is better then a certificate. Don't give up. I am 30 and I am doing the same thing....good luck.

urbaba61

If your concern is your age, don't worry. I just graduated from college at the grand old age of 44, and got a good job working for the state. Definitely get at least an associate's degree or some type of certification from a private school that teaches what you are interested in.

Curious1

I am in the Paralegal Studies program at Cal State East Bay. It is a 15 month program on a quarter system and you get your certificate after completion of the program. It is also ABA approved. It's an evening program so you can attend while you are still working full time. In the meantime, I would suggest you get a job in the legal field so that all the concepts make more sense. Some of the students are totally lost in class because they don't work in the legal field. Depending where you are located, you can also see other state colleges that offer it. Getting your certificate will definitely give you more earning power. You may become a paralegal with no experience but it's tough to get your foot in the door and employers can get away with paying you very little with no experience and no certificate. Depending on your financial situation, it is worth it to take the pay cut to get the experience. Good luck to you.

spooky

just make sure that you attend a school that is aba-approved. the community college you have in mind may not give you that, so make sure you do your research first. different schools offer different programs, with various durations. after you earn your paralegal certificate, sign up with one or two temp agencies who can work to place you in jobs. they may be short term, but it'll get your foot in the door. besides, you never know when one of these short term jobs could become permanent ones for you.

Nicole M

I just got my AA in Paralegal. If you don't feel right going to a community college then you can always take your classes online just make sure that you do your research with online classes. I finished my classes online and I have a job. Some attorneys don't care about the fact that you took classes online and some do. It is great that you are thinking about going back to school. I wish you much luck. I know some paralegals who don't even work for an attorney some of them have opened up their own business

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