How to become a Paralegal | How to get a Paralegal Job | My journey & Steps to become a Paralegal

Thank you for watching! 🤍 I hope you guys enjoyed this Paralegal Chit Chat!! Please leave all your questions below to be answered in the next Paralegal video!
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[@user-go5qr2xt2y]

omg, I'm so happy I found your page. I'm 20 and a criminal justice major with pre-law in mind since high school. The more I am in college the more I realize I am not a good test taker, this made me open to the idea of paralegal bc ik I love learning about the legal system, have a good work ethic, passionate, etc but the thought of all the test to be a lawyer make me anxious lol. Plus I don't want to just be getting adjusted in my career at 28-30 which most likely will push back my ability to start a family! I definitely think this could be a good career path for me too.

[@user-go5qr2xt2y]

This video was heaven sent lol

[@CrystalHurt]

Omg same! I don’t why tests seem so intimidating. I completely understand your reasoning behind second-guessing law school. It isn’t for everyone (but it’s good that you’re thinking of this now!). I will say that if you do decide to go for it in the future, make sure it’s what you want and that you’ll be able to give it your 110% effort. Are you finished with your pre-requisites? If so, what’s your fav Crim class this far?! So glad you found this video helpful ☺️

[@ericafarner815]

Crystal! I just enrolled in the UCLA Extension paralegal training program and I'm OBSESSED with your videos!

[@CrystalHurt]

Aww thank you and Congrats!! That’s amazing! Wishing you the best of luck, you got this! 😊🙌🏼

[@gabrielaenyoutube]

How is it, Erica? Good?

[@denisea2157]

This was very helpful and motivating. Thank you for sharing your story! 💖

[@CrystalHurt]

I'm so glad this helped you! Thank you watching! 💕

[@Tiffanydymond]

I’m starting may13th … I love u ,your videos there so insightful. I’m super excited . I’m a practical nurse leaving the health field !

[@KrissKross92]

Crystal your story is so motivating 💛 and congratulations 🎉 on all your ventures ❤

[@CrystalHurt]

Aww, thank you so much! I appreciate you watching! 🤍

[@aylinm]

that's amazing! i graduated with a bachelor's degree in CJ about two years ago but had no idea what i wanted to do with it until this year i thought about being a paralegal so this was very helpful and inspirational tysm ^-^

[@CrystalHurt]

Congrats!! 🤍You should do a bit more research (or watch some of my other videos) so that you know what being a Paralegal entails. I would suggest looking up Paralegal programs near you! :) Thank you for watching!

[@allalongmeanttobe]

This was very helpful! As an entertainment paralegal, can you briefly explain your job responsibilities? I’m taking a paralegal studies course and I think I would enjoy working for an entertainment agency or something in that regard! Thank you for sharing your journey 💛🙏🏾

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi! Thank you so much for watching! 🤍 Yes, of course. I'll address this topic in my next Paralegal video, should be up by next Wed :)

[@user-ld6ei8ny9m]

I'm waiting to hear if I'm accepted to do my Asc in Paralegal studies ! I just turned 25 and feeling a bit upset it took me so long to start this process but ty for the info!!!!

[@CrystalHurt]

I know I’m a bit late but I hope you got accepted!! Please keep me updated on your process! And please do not be upset or hard on yourself, be grateful that you realized now and are working towards it. Everyone’s journey is different and maybe not now, but soon you will realize why you’ve taken the path you have. Wishing you much success! 😊

[@classicstorm]

I am taking paralegal classes, so I'm glad I found your channel... it's taking me longer than I wanted to because I am paying for everything out of pocket...

[@federal6616]

Should try your city employment services office. Ask them for training in the field and ask them to get a memorandum of understanding MOU with the school on your behalf for the purposes of training. I asked in my state and they will pay for it 7k. Loyola of new orleans

[@classicstorm]

@@federal6616 Thanks for this but it's pretty much too late I'm almost done...

[@federal6616]

@@classicstorm No worries - glad you're almost done. Good luck!

[@CrystalHurt]

How are you classes going?! And I totally understand that, I paid part of my undergrad out of pocket. Sometimes things take time, and that’s okay. Everyone’s journey is different. Wishing you the best of luck! 😊

[@CrystalHurt]

I had no idea this was possible! Thank you for commenting this, I will let people know this info in my next video!

[@Misskellymarie25]

I just sign up for classes to become a paralegal.I am so happy to find your channel.Have a great day.

[@CrystalHurt]

Yay, congrats!! That’s awesome, wishing you the best of luck! Let me know if you have any questions along your journey, I’d be happy to help ☺️

[@Misskellymarie25]

@@CrystalHurt Thank you so much.I am so excited about this journey I am on to become a Paralegal.I really love your videos help me a lot.Have a great day.

[@itsshaquantv609]

I wanna be a paralegal but my degree is in English do you think I still have a good chance at becoming a paralegal? I just really realized that I wanna go into this field I always had an idea but I just finalized it for myself.

[@carlastigger6127]

Hi! Can you share the starting pay in LA? I’m starting a paralegal program at Chaffey College in Rancho this week!

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi! Thank you so much for watching! Yes, of course, I'll address this topic in my next Paralegal video, should be up by next Wed :)

[@gabbygentile8446]

Long Beach city! Woot! Vikings baby!

[@CrystalHurt]

Yes! Even though I was there for only a year I LOVED that school!

[@SamoyaOgden]

I'm on the journey as well. @Emory. My undergrad and masters track was completely different than my passion. What city or metro are you doing paralegal work in?

[@CrystalHurt]

That’s great, wishing you the best on your new journey! I’m a paralegal in the greater Los Angeles area. Thank you for supporting my channel!

[@trulyteem]

would you say most paralegal jobs require a bachelor’s degree vs a associate? I was thinking about going to a two year but I heard most jobs want you to have at least a bachelor’s.

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi! Thank you for watching! And yes, from my experience most jobs require you to have a Bachelor's Degree (sometimes even over a Paralegal Certificate). If you choose the Paralegal route or not, I think having a Bachelor's degree will definitely come in handy!

[@camelwith1hump]

It really depends on where you want to work and the attorney like some want a 4 year and a certificate or just a 4 year others don’t care what kind of degree you have as long as you have one some prefer to train on the job a secondary way attorneys do is promote experienced legal secretaries as far as cirtification by nala goes that’s completely voluntary but it will help notes: education is important but experience is key it’s a good idea to become a legal assistant legal secretary or file clerk before or while studying to become a paralegal an internship is a good way as well

[@Imani_li]

I love this video ! Congratulations on your big girl job 🩷 🎉

[@CrystalHurt]

Thank you so much, and thanks for watching! I appreciate the support. 🤍

[@Imani_li]

@@CrystalHurtHi Crystal you should do a video on tips passing the LSAT

[@noneother6867]

Great content. Asking for a friend: 1) Does paralegal certification from an ABA accredited institution (as against non-ABA accredited schools schools) make a/any difference as to whether you get a chance at being employed at a fairly reputable firm/company/agency? 2) Do foreign law degree/foreign qualified lawyers with US paralegal certification stand any chance (at all) venturing into this field?

[@samanthasalazar1422]

I would love to know the awnser to the first question as well! I currently attend a 4 year university, but I'm thinking of switching careers. I saw that a local community college has a paralegal studies degree, with it being a 3 year program (2 years paralegal studies then 1 year for the certification). I do wonder though if getting my degree and certification from a community college may affect my job prospects...

[@DiningWithVarsityStudents]

Hey is it possibly for me to become a paralegal in your country if I have qualifications from South Africa?

[@MaNijahTanner]

Hi! I’m interested in becoming a paralegal and the school I’m applying to is mentioning two programs offered: one that’s NALA approved and one that’s not. I wanted to know did you sit for the exam and is it necessarily required to become a paralegal?

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi!! I answered this question in my Q&A Part 4 that I uploaded today! :)

[@Natural_Lens0298]

Can some brief this as not able to understand

[@itsallaboutmorra3939]

So you have a minor/major and paralegal degree that’s the path I’m currently on now just not the same order I’m going to a Community College in my state to earn my paralegal degree then plan to attend a 4 year university for for my bachelors in political science and minor in social science my goal is to become a lawyer as well. So when you do a major and minor do you need less credits for the minor like is easy to obtain both? How many credits is needed for a minor?

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi! I think that’s a great path to be on! Just curious, what made you want to go to paralegal school first? I haven’t heard of anyone doing that before! And yes, to receive my minor I believe it was an extra 6-8 courses if I’m not mistaken. Because I wanted to finish faster I also opted to study abroad for a summer which I was able to take 3 of my minor classes within a few months so that was helpful! Wishing you the best of luck!

[@DWORLD-do6sy]

FILE CLERKS GET NO LOVE OR RESPECT 😥😔😩. GLAD YOU MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE 👌. I WORKED AT MILBANK IN LITIGATION 🤓 LONG HOURS AND LOTS OF LEGAL PERSONALITIES TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A GLORIFIED FILE CLERK (EVEN IF YOU CAN DO ALL THE WORK THAT A PARALEGAL CAN DO). ITS A VERY PRESTIGIOUS JOB ON THE SURFACE BUT YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG INTERNALLY AND SAVVY MENTALLY. CONGRATULATIONS 😍🖤😎👌✌️

[@shadaygordon8503]

Hey,I’m a political science major do you think thats a good major to get in with?

[@CrystalHurt]

Hey! Yes, it’s a great major! Poli Sci was almost my major but I was more intrigued with learning about the criminal justice system. Good Luck!

[@LittleParalegalsChildcare]

There legal assistants working in law firms that paid less and have earned the title without certificate it’s sad after getting the degree you have work basically fir the legal assistant who has no education

[@CrystalHurt]

That’s unfortunate to hear, this hasn’t been my experience whatsoever. In fact, at a firm I worked at prior, I had a legal assistant assigned to assist me. 😊 All depends.

[@madison5545]

My major is philosophy can I still be a paralegal or would I have to switch my major

[@CrystalHurt]

Yes, you can! I touch on this a bit in my Q&A Part 4 that I uploaded today. As long as you have a degree and some experience in the legal field, you should be good. What're your next steps after getting your degree?

[@madison5545]

@@CrystalHurt My next steps would be to go to go to a community college for paralegal studies and get an associates degree --- however it will be financially challenging to obtain.

[@Garrrrrishere]

How long does it take to be proficient in a field once you pick it?

[@CrystalHurt]

I would say almost immediately, paralegal courses are a fraction of law school so not nearly as much debt (if you take out a loan for your paralegal courses).

[@StarlahMutiny]

Waiiittt what community college has that program you went to?

[@CrystalHurt]

A lot of community colleges in LA county have them! I myself was considering going to El Camino Community College at first (the program there was cheaper too of course).

[@kreativexpressions]

How long are the courses?

[@CrystalHurt]

Great question! For the program I took, each corse was roughly 3 weeks to a month.

[@classicstorm]

How did you get a job as a file clerk?... I'm trying to get my foot in the door...

[@CrystalHurt]

Thank you so much for your question. I will answer it in my next Paralegal video coming this week, stay tuned! 🙌🏼

[@classicstorm]

@@CrystalHurt thanks if you can answer it with someone with zero experience that would be helpful...

[@CrystalHurt]

@@classicstorm Yes, of course. Do you have any education past HS? Also, what is your work experience thus far?

[@classicstorm]

@@CrystalHurt well yeah I'm in school right now to become a paralegal but I have zero office experience...I've only worked as a cook...

[@DWORLD-do6sy]

HOW DO YOU BECOME A FILE CLERK IN A LAW FIRM? A FILE CLERK NEEDS TO LEARN THE DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS COLLECTED AND ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS PRACTICES OF LAW AND ALSO THE GENERAL ELEMENTS OF LEGAL FILES (I.E., CORRESPONDENCE, DRAFTS, NOTES AND ORIGINALS). KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL FILE CLERKS ARE MANAGING THE DOCUMENTS AND DATA GENERATED BY THE PARTICULAR BUSINESS/CORPORATION. KNOWLEDGE OF ORGANIZING BY ALPHA-NUMERICAL SCHEMES OF THE CLIENT ACCOUNT NUMBERS IS CRUCIAL TO EVERY ASPECT OF SORTING MULTIPLE FORMS MEDIA AND INFORMATION FOR EACH ENTITY. A BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF COMPUTERS WITH WORD, EXCEL AND ACCESS IS A BONUS. THERE IS SPECIFIC LEGAL RECORDKEEPING SOFTWARE THAT YOU WILL BE TRAINED ON TO MANAGE THE DIGITAL AND DATA ASPECTS OF BEING A FILE CLEARK. LASTLY, BEING A VERY PERSONABLE PERSON (CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED BUT NO CLIENT CONTACT) THAT CAN DEAL WITH THE INTERNAL CLIENT: PARALEGALS, SECRETARIES AND LAWYERS (ALONG WITH OTHER LEGAL SUPPORT STAFF -FROM MAILROOM TO ACCOUNTING STAFF) IS BENEFICIAL TO THRIVING AT THE LEGAL FILE CLERK POSITION. CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING YOUR FIRST STEP TO LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FIILE CLERK AND WORK IN LAW FIRMS.