What you need to know before becoming a Paralegal | What I wish I knew + Paralegal Advice | CrysHurt

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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[@cynthiajames9729]

Boy ! this was the best video. I learned so much . Tips like honesty and politeness should apply to any job, I also liked the tip of acknowledging your mistakes. Good job!!!

[@CrystalHurt]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate the support as always! 🫶🏼✨

[@mrsropaxo]

From one paralegal to another, this was really insightful - keep it up ! xx

[@CrystalHurt]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! 🤍

[@BPD1586]

Thanks for uploading this! Very informative especially that part about don't get caught up on the "Paralegal" title. Currently a paralegal in the Air Force retiring soon , looking to make the transition to becoming a paralegal on the civilian side (Public Defender). Thanks for the info.

[@CrystalHurt]

Yess! A lot of people can get caught up on the title, it’s the work that matters. Also, thank you so much watching! Good luck in your paralegal transition! 🙏🏽

[@sascharifkin6535]

This was so helpful! I'm looking into becoming a paralegal and this was very insightful. I appreciate it!

[@cyclearana9003]

Thank you so much! I appreciate all the advice.

[@CrystalHurt]

Thank YOU for watching!! ☺️🙏🏼

[@lilo2427]

thank you for the tips Crystal!!

[@CrystalHurt]

Of course! You're so welcome! 🫶🏼

[@bankvaultbeatz9690]

Thank you Crystal, sending love from ATL!

[@interpolrox89]

Thank you so much for sharing. This was super helpful and informative. I hung on every word.

[@CrystalHurt]

I’m so glad this was informative for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know any other Paralegal questions you may have! 😊

[@texasbelle333]

Thanks for sharing this. ❤

[@alondraespinosa5335]

Great tips!! My fav tip is the one about mistakes. EVERYONE makes mistakes. In my first year of practice, a very wise person told me “there’s no mistake that can’t be fixed.”

[@CrystalHurt]

Thank you so much! I believe I mentioned you in this video 🤭🥰 I admire and appreciate you so much! Truly a great Attorney mentor!

[@beairdfamily]

This is the first video of yours I have watched, and it will not be the last! I appreciate your honesty, helpfulness, professionalism and humor. I am applying to paralegal school and have done tons of research about the field, and I still learned something new from this video. I never thought about researching billables but will definitely do that! Thanks, and I’m looking forward to learning more from you! 😊

[@CrystalHurt]

Yayy! Thank you so much for watching, I’m glad you were able to learn something new from it! Yes, billables can be very huge (to some people), so glad you’re looking into that. Good luck in Paralegal school! ☺️👍🏼

[@scaryclarey654]

Great video! I was a seasoned litigation paralegal but switched to banking. Now I am looking to return to the legal community in a new city. I am rusty with several job duties (cite-checking, document drafting), but your video reminded me of the transferable skills I still have to bring to the table. Thanks for the confidence boost!

[@jessikabulli2027]

Thanks for the info!!

[@CrystalHurt]

Of course! Thank you so much for watching! ☺️

[@oliviaruprecht]

Thank you for this wonderful video! It was so helpful! I've been looking to pursue a career as a paralegal and this video answered a lot of my questions! :)

[@CrystalHurt]

You’re so welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Let me know if there are any more Paralegal questions you have, I’d be so happy to answer them. ☺️

[@chalee605]

Thankyou for the information. 😊😊

[@CrystalHurt]

Of course! Stay tuned for more. Thank you so much for watching! ☺️

[@karenbaird7402]

Thank you for this video

[@CrystalHurt]

My pleasure! I hope you enjoyed it! 🙏🏼

[@annnnaanaam]

❤❤❤❤ I applied for a legal assistant and fingers crossed I get it but would you be able to make a video of an intro to organize 🤞🏼 Just a thought on how organized you are like Notion, Lexis Nexis etc

[@lexb8999]

this is such a good idea!! i know there are a lot of case management tips on like pinterest, but a lot is personal preference! Biggest Tip: DATE EVERYTHING!!!

[@LetsTalkLaw365]

There are so many areas to work in and it's funny how you have to actually work in the area before you know which one you like.

[@CrystalHurt]

Right! But that’s the fun part, and a way to gain a ton of experience. It’s also crazy too because someone else’s experience in a certain area can be completely different than yours!

[@tiisetsoaphane9428]

Sending love from south Africa😘😘😘

[@CrystalHurt]

Yayyy! Thank you so much ☺️ Hope you are enjoying the content!

[@Cali972]

Thanks 🙏 for this video I been having thoughts 💭 about going after this last month I can’t ignore know more I am finna apply for school I am nervous 😬 lol

[@drewfrancois21]

Needed this video. I'm a Paralegal in training in Nola.

[@CrystalHurt]

You’ve got this! 💪 Stay tuned for my paralegal Q&A video coming this week!

[@anitadaggs4610]

I'm in Nola as well and recently was contacted by an attorney office to do a phone interview for administrative/paralegal position. Im excited and nervous because I have no experience in paralegal work. How's your training!?

[@aliensexist1661]

You making a mistake as you say “we are not robots” is so poetic given the context 😂 12:27

[@CrystalHurt]

It isss! Lol was laughing at that while editing 😂

[@jadefafa]

thanks you so much, for these tips!! How do you to keep the motivation in the field?

[@CrystalHurt]

No problem!! Going to answer this in my next Paralegal Q&A video coming this week! 🫶🏼

[@kravenmoorehead7927]

Billables apply to litigation defense. Criminal law is largely flat rate. I have been a paralegal for 28 years and I am damn tired of the BS...starting a business in a completely different realm than law. Lawyers will always look down on you, they are largely lazy AF and expect you to do absolutely everything, they pay very little....look it up. Worse yet, most lawyers do NOT have any character, and they LIE, LIE, LIE. Clients often time suck, especially in the personal injury field.....cry, cry, cry. Most PI cases are essentially insurance fraud because we all know there was no actual injury. Otherwise this video is pretty good.

[@nataliagrimaldo8216]

You’re not entirely wrong. There’s some kind-hearted attorneys, but ultimately, it’s a loose canon with what kind of attorney you’ll get. Chances of getting stuck with narcissistic attorneys are high.

[@Everydayisagood11]

I work remotely for what they call a "PI mill". The clients are the worst part of the job. They are entitled and will call multiple times for an update that we don't have and will proceed to complain about their injuries and how long it's taking and ask why the judge is taking so long. I feel bad I've grown numb to the sob stories bc there are clients who have truly had their life flipped upside down due to a company's negligence at no fault of their own. But when you can't get them a million dollar settlement in their bank account by tomorrow they berate you and hold you hostage over the phone asking for the impossible. Rant done. I'm thankful for the job though it has good pay and benefits so I remain.

[@historicallyspeakingwithgi9737]

You’re a dying breed my dear. I make over 100k and I have a Master’s Degree as well as a Paralegal Certificate. I am also becoming board certified in my field. I am treated very well in my profession. Paralegals today are educated, tech savvy, and very professional. In your day, one could simply get a job as a secretary and move their way up to being a Paralegal. You did mostly admin duties. Today we are in trial, we are meeting with clients, we are drafting more and using technology that you have never heard of. I have worked with “experienced” paralegals who simply cannot keep up with us. A new paralegal today needs to have at least a Bachelor’s degree and preferably a Paralegal certificate as well. The average salary in my town is $85-$150k. Maybe you live somewhere rural. I work with top notch attorneys who are neither lazy nor disrespectful. I have 15 years experience and I’m over 55. It’s a great second career if one is willing to update their skills and education.

[@cosycutie]

I've been thinking about entering legal career, but I wanted to get as much information on paralegal as possible, since it's highly popular in my city.

[@CrystalHurt]

You’re on the right track!! Wishing you the best of luck on your legal career. Yes, you can never get enough info!! Thank you for watching 🫶

[@benefitsimmigrantfreedomfr7650]

Paralegal awesome and i know youtube up the subscribers and i hope you up load video and what are you doing since........

[@Hestia134]

I got my associates in legal administration, I thought I wanted to work in law until I realized there wasn’t many like me in the industry and that was a little intimidating but now I’m in real estate and I’m beginning to understand why I went through that path because I learned a lot about contract law and a little about real estate as well.

[@thestarfamily6876]

Good video.I work as a bi adjuster not sure if this role aligns with what I’m going for

[@kellymorales8523]

Hello Crystal! Thank you for your video it was very helpful girl! I have one question that maybe you can help me with🥹 I am from California and most law clerks are asking for at least (1 enrollment from the ABA) Now this is were I am confused. Is the paralegal studies certificate different then the (1) class they are asking for from the ABA? Does the certificate not count towards the (1) enrollment in the ABA? Sorry if this is confusing, but I can’t seem to find my answer anywhere 🤣 I hope you can help me Crystal 😄

[@witchywisdom6806]

I highly recommend using a paralegal position as a stepping stone to becoming an attorney. You are limited financially as a paralegal and attorneys are demeaning. You need to be an attorney to make money and earn respect.

[@historicallyspeakingwithgi9737]

This may have been true until recently but I am making more money than my son who is an attorney. He’s new in his career and works as a prosecutor, he is no where near my six figure salary. He and I both went to graduate school, he has a J.D. and I have a Master’s degree. If I was under 45 when I started my career, I would have definitely went to law school. I was a fashion photographer for 25 years so this was a second career for me. I do understand that some attorneys can be demeaning, however, if your level of professionalism is that of a legal professional and you take your career seriously, they will as well. There are a lot of Paralegals out there who are under educated, not professional in their personal appearance and behavior and they are less productive. These people probably will not break the 100k ceiling in their careers but there are Paralegals like me who take education and professionalism very seriously. We work on huge trials for big law firms. We take as much CLE as we can every year. We belong to professional organizations within in our field and we have grown up jobs, not glorified admins. So I do agree with you somewhat for some paralegals but the profession is becoming more respected as firms are hiring more educated people.

[@sumaiyaali9749]

I’m currently a paralegal student, but I’m struggling to figure out which area I want to work in. Could you please please tell me which type of paralegals are most in demand? I was thinking to work more in criminal matters but still I would like to know which kind of paralegals are mostly in demand.

[@lazyjoys12]

I just got a job as a paralegal at the courthouse.There were four people on the panel for my interview. Each attorney worked in different areas of law. Which were: criminal, civil, housing and I can't remember the fourth one. They were super nice during the interview. I wanted to work in criminal but I offered to work in a housing court. Can you give me advice while working in a courthouse? I never worked in the legal field but I am excited and hope to eventually work in criminal law.

[@CrystalHurt]

Wow Congratulations, that’s amazing!! ✨I personally have not worked in a courthouse directly, but I can give tips on my experience from interning at the DA’s office. I’ll answer this in my next Paralegal Q&A video!

[@lazyjoys12]

@@CrystalHurt thank you so much

[@izzyb9390]

One big question I have is about tattoos. I have a tattoo on my hand and I don't want that to ruin my chance of becoming a paralegal.

[@nataliagrimaldo8216]

I’m a paralegal and the attorney I shared an office barely realized a had a big tattoo on my arm after working there for almost a year. It’s never been an issue. I’ve also seen attorneys display tattoos at work. Don’t worry about it.

[@JKBelle]

Does the schooling matter all that much? I’m considering the US career institute due to the affordability. I already have a bachelor’s degree 🤔.

[@WT_Bravo6]

Hey so I noticed mostly women are paralegals and I really want to get into the field. Also what’s your advice on getting into the field while in school?

[@CrystalHurt]

Hello! I’ve wondered the same, but honestly I believe that women may just be more vocal about being Paralegals. Either way, the career is not gender specific, I say go for it if you enjoy the field! Also, my advice on getting into the field while in school would be to get an internship or connect with your legal/law professors for opportunities. Good luck in your endeavors! 😊

[@kimpossible1187]

Would this be a possibility for me? I’m currently in school for communications but considering changing paths and becoming a paralegal… my current school doesn’t have a law program

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi! Thank you so much for your question and for watching the video! I’m going to answer this in my Q&A Part 2 which will be up on my channel tomorrow!

[@lexb8999]

Hi there!! I just want to chime in and let you know that I didn’t go to school for a paralegal certificate but i am a current paralegal so it is absolutely possible!! Depending on your state, some states don’t require that you are certified, so i would look into that. I have a BA in Applied Human Services (a mix between criminology, psychology, sociology and social work). I would say that a communications degree will totally totally apply in the field. You will just want to word your resume to reflect that you are good at drafting, attention to detail, information collection, etc. You will have a ton of transferable skills considering a majority of our work as paralegals is communication, drafting and reading!!

[@Tubefish07]

If you are a personal injury paralegal. Your business card slogan should read, “Call Crystal. I can stop the Hurt” or “Call Crystal if you’ve been Hurt” Corny I know but trust me. The people will love it!

[@CrystalHurt]

Ahahah I love this comment. All throughout my life people have asked me if I’m “Hurt” and said the corniest of jokes but I may just think about going into PI 🤔

[@dalooch121]

Question, IYO which one is better, UGA (CLS) or Emory paralegal program?

[@CrystalHurt]

Hello! Is your ultimate goal to be a Paralegal? If so, then I’ve done just a quick search and I don’t think I’d make a huge difference, since they are both ABA accredited schools. On the other hand, if you are looking to enroll in Law School, from my brief search I noted that they are both ranked the same (#20 in best Law Schools). It looks like you have a thought decision to make! 😊 Good Luck on all of your endeavors!

[@nicoladismukes-tz4rm]

What can I do with a lpn license and paralegal certification

[@milandior5313]

You can become a paralegal nurse but in most states they want rns

[@nubiangoddess2641]

@@milandior5313 Hi have a degree in medical coder and I wonder if there are any medical lawyer and I notice you said paralegal nurse work for me also?

[@oliviabridges8908]

I’m a Highschool student and I am reminded regularly that in my family if your not in college by the time you graduate your kicked out- I’ve looked into paralegals a few times but over heard it’s so bad

[@user-id9fs4xx7q]

Your family sure does seem abusive...

[@oliviabridges8908]

@@user-id9fs4xx7q No definitely not! Many families are like this and it’s only because they want me to be on my feet and independent- they don’t want me slacking because I think I’ll get to stick around and depend on them,Wich is entirely reasonable

[@CrystalHurt]

Hi Olivia! That you for your comment, I I understand how some can see this as a “bad way” to bring up young teens but I think that you’re family loves you and only wants the best for you. I’m sure they want you to find your passion in life, and you will! Glad you’re looking up some paralegal videos so that you can get an idea of what it’s like. But if being a paralegal isn’t something you’re into, that’s okay too. It’s not for everyone. But I encourage you to do some research on different fields and even reach out to working professionals. Of course there will always be pros and cons in any profession you enter into but also remember to keep an open mind. Good luck on your journey! 🤍

[@lexb8999]

Olivia, I am a paralegal and I’m here to tell you it’s not as bad as some people make it seem! You will have to pay attention to the little details, learn how to manage your time, and be very organized, but if you’re capable of those things, just about everything else can be taught to you or you learn as you go! I am a young paralegal (i’m 24) and i’ve been doing it since i was 21 and i have loved it. Don’t be worried about being over-worked or underpaid, because not every position is the same, even if they all have the same name. Think about your position as a partnership. you work very closely with the attorney that you work under, and if you can build a solid relationship with your attorney where you can communicate when you have too much on your plate or are feeling overwhelmed, the right attorney will definitely help you with case management and taking a load off of you! (believe me i’m on my 3rd attorney and i will continue to work with her until she retires if she lets me). also paralegals sometimes will follow their attorney if the attorney moves firms, so you don’t have to worry about job security once you find your person! keep your head up! if it’s something you’re interested in still, look into internships or call around and ask if they need help filing (we always do). it will help you get a good grasp on the position and figure out if it’s something you’re truly interested in pursuing! (also, not every state requires you to be certified, so look into that. i didn’t go to school for it, but rather learned on the job and worked my way up).

[@oliviabridges8908]

@@lexb8999 Thanks so much for your thoughts! Thankfully I am a naturally gifted communicator, writer and organizer! They are things I enjoy and most of all,the reason why I ever looked into the career path of a paralegal! I have kept looking into it and I would definitely be going into the criminal side of the law since I enjoy it so much! I’m also aware that a degree isn’t needed in some parts but it definitely helps when applying for a position! I AM wondering though, is it true that for the first few years you will be “volunteering” or undergoing an internship and won’t be paid, as, so I’ve heard, you need the experience to work in an actual firm as a paralegal? And what we’re your takeaways from college or studying for being a paralegal- do you have more positive experiences in your line of work than you do negative? It sounds like you definitely enjoy your work and as a 17 year old looking into the field I love to hear that!

[@tessbeautybar4792]

I'm 52 years young. I want to be a Paralegal. Where should I start?

[@dannyclay1967]

Check out Bryan University. Great online Associate and Bachelor's Degree Program.

[@tessbeautybar4792]

@@dannyclay1967 thanks pal💛

[@lexb8999]

honestly I would look into becoming a legal assistant if you can afford to (they usually start at a lower pay grade) and shop around for firms that are looking to hire. I would call and ask if you need a certificate to be considered for the position, and if not, apply!!! I started as a paralegal making 40k with no experience straight out of college with an unrelated degree, and i’m 3.5 years in and now I make 70k as a paralegal (i moved up from a legal assistant). If you can prove yourself and learn on the job, you can very easily reach your goal of being a paralegal without going back to school or paying for a certificate or anything!

[@22Abigail22]

@@lexb8999wow thats great! What law field are you working in?

[@lexb8999]

@@22Abigail22 i work in plaintiff’s personal injury! (i do a little bit of estate work in our wrongful death cases and i’ve medical malpractice too)

[@hereiswisdom]

Do they teach uou how to be organized in paralegal school?

[@CrystalHurt]

Sort of, but not really. I’d say that’s more self-taught on the job. Being organized looks different for everyone because it’s tailored to your specific field of work!

[@ng-sz9me]

Can I be a paralegal with a education degree ?

[@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 or what experience do you have so far?

[@skylerpennock6439]

this may be a dumb question, but is paralegal a high stress job? From what I’ve read, a lot of paralegals now are hybrid or remote. Does this help with that?

[@CrystalHurt]

There’s no such thing as a dumb question! Stay tuned for a Paralegal Q&A Part 4 where I’ll answer all of this! 🙌🏼

[@lexb8999]

I just want to hop in and tell you that I am a current paralegal and I would say that it CAN be a high stress job, but it doesn’t have to be. Of course there’s deadlines and a pile of stuff to do, but it’s all about case management, time management, and organization. As long as you are able to nail those three things, I think you will be totally fine!

[@imanehilliard3921]

What is the best school for paralegal

[@CrystalHurt]

My opinion is biased because I absolutely loved UCLA, but honestly any program that fits you best (time wise and financially) will ultimately be your best option!

[@jamesh5937]

I’m here to learn what paralegal classes are about and what to expect after…. 👎

[@user-wo9xw5fx6g]

Where did you go to paralegal school?

[@CrystalHurt]

I went to UCLA!