Paralegal Studies
Many colleges and universities across the country offer students the opportunity to earn a degree in paralegal studies. Paralegal studies degree programs are generally offered at the associate's and bachelor's degree levels, and some schools also offer master's degrees in paralegal studies. Paralegal studies degree programs prepare students with the knowledge and skills they will need to excel in the professional and business world, particularly in criminal justice, the courts, and the legal system. Students will learn to conduct legal research and writing, draft legal documents, keep records, conduct investigations, and work under the pressures of the court. Students that earn their degrees in paralegal studies should have good job opportunities, as there will always be a need to have individuals working for attorneys, judges, and in the courts and legal system.
Common Career Paths:
Paralegal
A common career path for a paralegal studies degree holder includes a paralegal. Paralegals provide important legal assistance to even the most experienced and educated attorneys. Because attorneys spend so much of their time meeting with clients, mediating cases, and attending courtroom hearings, paralegals essentially fill in the gaps and assist attorneys with important research, filing, and paperwork. While laws prohibit the amount of tasks a paralegal can perform, they are still essential to attorneys and are important in legal communities. Paralegals often conduct legal research, fill out important legal documents, update clients on the status of their cases, and draft motions, pleadings, and other important legal documents. Most paralegals have either an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, with specific hiring and educational requirements varying between employers. While most paralegals are employed by private law firms, paralegals also work for corporate legal departments and within various levels of government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals is expected to grow much faster than the average occupation with estimated job growth by 28%. While large growth is expected in the profession, competition is expected, so those with formal training and education should have the best job opportunities. The Bureau also reported that while the salary of a paralegal is likely to vary widely between employers, the median annual salary of a paralegal was $46,120 in 2008.
Claims Adjuster
A claims adjuster works with the insurance policies of individuals and businesses to protect against monetary loss. In the event of monetary loss, those individuals and businesses with insurance policies submit claims seeking compensation for their loss. Claims adjusters are the individuals that investigate and essentially deal with the claims of policyholders. They investigate claims by interviewing the claimant and any witnesses by consulting any records and inspecting any damage relating to the claim. With this information, claims adjusters then evaluate all the information to negotiate a settlement amount with the claimant and decide on payments to settle the claim. Claims adjusters are most commonly employed by insurance carriers, but adjusters can also work in private claims adjusting companies, work in auto damage insurance companies, or be self-employed. While most states have licensing requirements for claims adjusters, most employers do not have educational requirements for claims adjusters, but hiring requirements will vary greatly between employers. Some claims adjusters have associate's or bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies and those with degrees should have the best job opportunities. The overall employment of claims adjusters is expected to grow as fast as average as other occupations, with expected growth by 7%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages of claims adjusters were $55,760 in 2008, with the middle 50% earning between $42,400 and $70,860 annually. In addition, the Bureau also reported that many claims adjusters, especially those that work for insurance companies, receive additional bonuses or benefits as part of their job.
Legal Secretary
A legal secretary performs the administrative tasks and duties associated with the successful operation of a legal or law office. Legal secretaries work with attorneys to assist them prepare for court, hearings, meetings and other obligations they may have as an attorney. Under the supervision of an attorney, legal secretaries prepare correspondence and legal documents such as summonses, complaints, responses, motions, and subpoenas. Legal secretaries must be familiar with legal procedures as they also assist with updating clients on the status of their cases, researching legal information, scheduling appointments such as depositions, hearings and meetings, working with correspondence, and maintaining client and other important files. Legal secretaries generally work in private offices but can also work for state and Government offices as well. While specific educational and hiring requirements will vary between employers, some employers prefer that legal secretaries have an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, criminal justice, or a closely related field to be eligible for hire. Employment of legal secretaries is expected to grow faster than the average occupation, as the field is expected to see an increase in legal secretaries by 18%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, legal secretaries earned median annual salaries of $39,860 in 2008, which was the most recent information provided by the Bureau. Of those, the middle 50% earned between $30,870 and $50,930 annually, while the highest paid 10% earned salaries of more than $62,290 annually.
