What is a paralegal?
As defined by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, a paralegal is a person qualified through education, training or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work.
If you enjoy applying analytical skills and have independent initiative coupled with a desire to be a critical part of the legal community, than a career as a paralegal may be for you.
What duties does a paralegal perform?
Some duties include:
- Gathering and analyzing facts relevant to law disputes
- Performing legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Preparing witnesses and evidence for presentation at legal proceedings
The California Alliance of Paralegal Associations has a comprehensive list of paralegal duties, sorted according to specialty: http://www.caparalegal.org/duties.html
Why Mount Wachusett Community College's Paralegal Program?
- Experienced faculty consisting of judges, attorneys, and paralegals
- Online, day, evening, weekend, and summer courses offered
- Internship opportunities in the public and private sector
- Opportunity for those working as administrative assistants to upgrade their skills to become legal assistants
- Recently expanded library offerings
- Hands-on learning opportunities
Why a paralegal career?
- Great job market, growing career opportunitiesOpportunity to specialize in your area of interest: criminal, real estate, insurance, etc . . .
- Opportunity to work in many different environments in either the public or private sector (private law firms, government agencies, courthouses, insurance companies, etc . . . )
- Interesting career because of constant changes and new and different situations
- Supportive and helpful associations available such as the Central Massachusetts Paralegal Association, providing networking and other professional opportunities
Why earn a degree or certificate?
Education level often influences job applicants’ chances of finding a job, salary, the kind of work assigned, and the degree of responsibility granted. MWCC’s Paralegal programs concentrate on understanding substantive areas of law, research, and communication.
Where have MWCC paralegal students completed internships?
- Many private law firms
- Attorney General’s Office, Worcester
- Fitchburg Juvenile Court
- Fitchburg Probation Office
- Middlesex Superior Court
- Worcester Juvenile Court
- Worcester Probation Office