Full Careers
Career Dilemma: Paralegal, Counseling, Sonography?
Hi. I was just looking for some career info. I am an adult but I have gone back to college. I'm so torn between a lot of careers. Some I would love to do for the emotional satisfaction, some for money, some for stability. I was just wondering if anyone in these fields might give some ideas about what thier favorite part and worst part is. Do you work crazy hours, what type of environment, do you love or hate it, what type of schooling did you get, how much do you make on average? THANKS!
Public Comments
- You will make the most being a counselor but you will need a master's degree to do so. paralegals start at about $13 per hour, and you will work whenever your lawyer boss wants to, but it's usually during the day. It can be very stressful. You will have deadlines to meet all the time. There is a high rate of turnovers in this field. The job market for sonography isn't all that great. So..... go for a MA in counseling!
- The opportunities for a paralegal really depends on the specialty. The most in demand paralegals are those in the litigation field; followed by corporate paralegals who are responsible for maintaining corporate records, articles of incorporation, etc. While the "least" markeable [but the "highest" paid] paralegals are in the field of intellectual property [i.e., patents, trademarks] and immigration law. In conclusion, choose your paralegal courses accordingly, with emphasis on litigation preparation [discovery], docketing/calendaring of incoming pleadings [calendaring] and trial preparation [creating Exhibit tabs, Bajii jury instructions, etc.]. The "pro" side of a litigation paralegal is often "unlimited" overtime which can amount to a high salary range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year, while the "downside," being constantly pressured to meet a monthly client billable quota. And failing to meet that quota, often results in the paralegal's overnight dismissal. It's not a pretty picture. I just want to lay out what really happens in the real world of litigators and their relationship with subordinate paralegals. Good luck!
