My Paralegal Careers Blog

What Not to Do at a Career Expo

Sarah Ward — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:16:52 +0000

Being a college student about to graduate and attempt actual life, attending career expos and meeting recruiters is an integral part of obtaining a good job. Here are a couple observations of what to do and what not to do at a job expo.

Dress appropriately:Don’t dress like you’re soon on your way to the club. We understand you can put on practically whatever you fancy to at college, however, your future boss is likely to demand an improved standard of excellence. While dress codes have relaxed in corporate America, they haven’t yet expanded to add in miniskirts, cleavage-bearing tops, or see-through material. Do yourself a favor and opt for a collared shirt and nice pants instead, saving the club clothes for after hours. Your cup size will likely not allow you to get employment. At least not a respectable one

Don’t wear clothes which are too tight. The unfortunate truth is that if you’re a size 12 aiming to fit into a size 10, it won’t work. You’ll look larger than you happen to be and draw unwanted focus to your body. Wear clothes that fit, even if it means increasing a size. Remove the clothing tag if this enables you to feel better. A fantastic guideline? When clothes fit, they will flow smoothly over the body. When you have a difficult to suit body, find a good tailor – they’ll help your clothes fit just like a glove.

Don’t forget your handshake. A handshake can build rapport and credibility with recruiters at career fairs. A firm handshake with two to three pumps is good and definately will communicate confidence. Stay away from the bonecrusher and limp fish handshakes.

It’s imperative that you focus on how you look and present yourself in the professional environment. Stand up straight, look people in the eye, and you’ll be seen as competent, capable, and employable. Give it a shot.

For more advice for college students click here.

Study Abroad: Travel for a Semester Abroad

Sarah Ward — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:37:34 +0000

If you’re a university student dying to travel the globe, a study abroad program is a superb way of getting college credit for traveling! Inside a study abroad program you can learn a different language, make new friends, expand your horizons living in a different culture, and have a life-changing experience. If you are thinking about a study abroad program, here are several items to know.

Its Cheaper than you imagine.Some colleges offer scholarships and financial aid for individuals to take advantage of a study abroad program. Picking a study abroad destination that has a cheaper of living is likely to make the trip more cost-effective overall.

You’re not limited by local colleges.Enrolling directly with a campus overseas could help you save significantly rather than going through your local college. Contact universities directly to see if this is an option.
You can go anywhere.Study abroad programs may take you virtually anywhere. We took to Twitter to see where college students are getting ready to go and found students on the way to France, Costa Rica, Seville, Spain, Switzerland, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Guatamala!

You don’t have to be in college. Study abroad programs aren’t only for students anymore. The National Geographic Traveler shared a three-day course to learn how to make gelato at Carpigiani Gelato University.

You can always be studying abroad.Remember, if you’re enrolled in an online college, every semester could be a study abroad program. You might finish your art history assignment after strolling the Louvre in Paris, complete your English Literature paper after visiting William Shakespeare’s hometown, or perform a quiz on international business from Shanghai. Imagine the possibilities.

Did you do a semester abroad? Where did you go? Have you taken an online class abroad?

How to Handle College Roommates

Sarah Ward — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:12:00 +0000

Photo: Passive Aggressive Notes

Roommates. They’re a fundamental element of the university experience, though you’ve probably had a few get beneath your skin before. Existing with people can certainly make all their flaws all-too-visible, here are some techniques to deal with college roommates.

Establish guidelines. Create rules at the outset of the semester based on how you’ll deal with smoking, taking calls during study time, studying late into the evening, bringing home significant others, etc.

Don’t touch their stuff. As tempting as his or her tasty looking food can be, leave it alone. Don’t use their shampoo, makeup, clothes. Your relationship will be better for this.

Be friendly, but don’t force friendship. Stay courteous, but don’t expect you’ll be BFFs for the rest of your lives. Among the best roommates are those you barely ever see.

Figure out your bathroom schedule. At the outset of the semester, talk through your schedule to understand when people have to be out the door every morning and base your bathroom schedule around that timeline.

Cleaning rules. Establish a cleaning schedule for your living space make certain you pull your own weight. Should your roommate left something in the sink that’s smelling up the apartment, the simplest solution might be to tidy it up then and address it with them later.

Pick your battles. It could drive you nuts when they leave their hair in bathtub after showering, but there might be more essential circumstances to manage.

Have one room to keep clean – always. Although the rest of your apartment may be a mess, it helps to have one community room you recognize it is possible to retreat to that will be clean, such as kitchen or living area. Plan to keeping it tidy.

Bring it up. When you allow the stuff that bothers you simmer beneath the surface without addressing it directly with them, it will eventually just become worse for you and they could have no idea what they’re doing gets under your skin. While leaving a note may very well be much more comfortable for you, just deal with it up front, rather than declaring a post-it war.

Click here for more back to school tips.

How to Avoid College Overwhelm

Sarah Ward — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:40:47 +0000

Does this look familiar? Photo: Casey Serin

As we listen to what college students are facing today, the single most common things we hear is college overwhelm. If you’re falling behind with your assignments and feeling overloaded with responsibilities and expectations, you’re experiencing college overwhelm. If this sounds familiar, to you, here are some tips concerning how to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

1. Structure some time. After 12 years of structured school, the need to proactively schedule studying might be overwhelming to freshmen students, reports Dartmouth University. With a calendar or your mobile phone, put your classes on the calendar and be certain to block out time for work and play. Some experts report that producing a summary of what you should accomplish the very next day before going to sleep will help you mentally get ready for your day as you sleep.

2. De-stress. Taking on a physical activity like kickboxing, yoga, or maybe walking can strengthen your power to copy with college overwhelm.

3. Allow for flexibility. In case your goal was to finish your project ahead of the weekend and it doesn’t happen how you thought it would, be flexible. Don’t assume all things work out the way we plan and assignments might take longer than you would expect. Get used to it.

4.Take a break. If you’re burning the candle on both ends and working non-stop, a rest would do you good. Head outdoors and breathe some fresh air. Call a buddy and laugh at their silly jokes. Visit a pet store and pet the puppies. Just a small break will let you feel refreshed.

5. Don’t overdo it. Typically, 12 credit hours per semester is regarded as full-time, with 18 credits being the maximum. Many people will burn out around 18 credits. Consider that not all college credits are created alike. That half credit college choir class you thought would be a fun break could end up taking 3 hours/week – a lot more than expected!

Check out this article for 13 ways to reduce college stress.

It’s Okay to Change Your Major in College

Sarah Ward — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:40:06 +0000

College is about discovering your identiity, what matters for you, and charting a program for the rest of your lifetime. As a young student, are you able to be expected to understand what you want straight from graduation? Pre-requisite classes will provide you with the opportunity to dabble, explore different subjects and discover what you’re attracted to.

So if you’re frustrated with your grades in biology, rethinking whether $200K worth of students loans is worth the physician title, or wishing to choose your personal profession instead of following in your father’s footsteps, know this. 60% of college students change their major before they graduate. It’s okay to switch gears and career paths. Give yourself permission to be in limbo for a while as you perform a little soul-searching and find out your strengths, interests, and ultimately your life course.

Here are a few things you can do while you alter your major to determine where to go from this level.

Buy “Strengths Finder 2.0? This book, recommended by career coach Jennifer Armitstead, is designed to help you identify your natural talents and skills. While a lot of people take a look at strengthening their weaknesses, why not start out with your strengths?

Get your hands on “Please Understand Me” This book is an summary of the Myers-Briggs personality types and includes a test to find out your personality, as well as what careers and occupations will be just the thing for someone like you. You’ll very impressed how much you can learn about yourself this way.

Consider: What makes you feel powerful, feel, incredibly useful, excited inspired? Firestarter Coach Danielle LaPorte helps people hone their unique genius, including finding the things that have you feeling on top of your game and finding a strategy to make it your profession.

Switching your major now could be much simpler than regretting your college major after graduation.

College Students’ Favorite Ways to Procrastinate

Sarah Ward — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:45:23 +0000

“I’ve been at the campus library for over two hours.I’ve done everything I can possibly do to procrastinate.Including designing and printing a cover page for my psychology notes.” (tedmosby-architect)

Does this sound familiar? Procrastination is actually a favorite past time of school students at traditional and online colleges, putting off unpleasant tasks for later, to do something fun in the moment. Instead of share tips on how to overcome procrastination, here is a list of college students’ favorite ways to procrastinate. You know, in case you need more distractions.

Tumblr. Tumblr is the latest addictive micro-blogging site that college kids love. Start reblogging and you can’t stop.

Doodling. Doodling is a great escape from class and studying alike.

YouTube. Watching hilarious YouTube videos, like ones on fainting goats or cute kittens, is often a terrific approach to procrastinate. You can also take it up a notch and produce your own YouTube videos.

Watch television. Particularly with Netflix and Hulu, it’s easy to be up till 2am watching your brand-new favorite show.

Hang out. When you’ve got friends who aren’t about the same schedule as you, a dinner invitation is difficult to turn down.

The Internet. Once your browser is open, hours may be lost investigating random things online.
Twitter and facebook. If you’ve ever brought up Facebook for an email address, or perhaps the details for Friday’s party, it’s common to get lost in status updates and an hour later, wonder whatever you were doing on Facebook from the start.

Pets. Cats and dogs are glorious distractions. Even Mark Twain was said to have had a kitten who would distract him to cease working so that they could go play.

Procrastination is a glorious thing, until you’re out of time to finish your assignments. If your procrastination habit has you stressed out,, we’ve got a remedy for that:
13 tips on how to deal with college stress
10 tips to help you avoid procrastinating

Awful Valentine’s Day Gifts To Avoid

Sarah Ward — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:49:38 +0000

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you may well be racking your brain for that perfect gift for your beau. Keep in mind that there are occasions that “it’s the thought that counts” gifts just doesn’t cut it. For today’s back to school tip, listed here are 8 awful Valentine’s Day gifts to avoid.

While you may be in a relationship that will withstand a silly Valentine’s Day gift, exercise caution! That said, if you’re searching for a great prank Valentine’s Day gift, something on this list could possibly suit you perfectly. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Tattoo. You can’t tell me it wouldn’t freak you out if someone you are casually dating turned up with a tattoo with your name on it.

Soap / Deodorant. Nothing says “I can’t stand the way you smell” like the gift of soap and deodorant.

Stuffed Animals. While a stuffed bear is a cute gift when you were 12, precisely what are they really going to do with a toy?

Mangroomer. When you have a hairy man, this electric back shaver is sort of too good a present not to give.

Gym Membership. Anything fitness related (gym membership, exercise video, scale) screams that you’d love nothing more than for their body to improve. This one’s a deal breaker!

Carnations. If we mention giving flowers for Valentine’s Day, that doesn’t include tacky carnations.

Vacuum. She’ll be reading between your lines that you think she’s a disorganized slob who can’t cleanup after herself. Far better to avoid that one.

Padded Underwear. Even though your better half could benefit from the more curvaceous caboose, you don’t have to rub it in their face!

Stay tuned for great Valentine’s Day gift ideas for college students!

Ten Ways To Become A Better Paralegal After Earning Your Online Degree

Michael Moss — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:32:23 +0000

Whether you are doing it for the money or for the love of the law- working as a paralegal is probably the most challenging, but rewarding, job you will ever have. At this point in your career you are learning two things- first, working for an attorney has made you a very responsible legal researcher and second, the lawyer gets all the credit. Even though the paralegal has less direct responsibility than the attorney – the paralegal still has the stress and pressures along with the time constraints of pending cases. On a positive note, straight from the legal field- comes ten ways to become a better paralegal- becoming better at your profession gives you the opportunities for increase earnings or a chance for a promotion with additional benefits. The ten ways are separated into three segments which are all significant in making career changes if and when the time is right.

The Paralegal-As an Employee

1.As a paralegal you are an employee who must follow rules and exist in a sea of office politics. Knowing the rules and staying away from office politics will definitely give you respect among your peers.
2.Constantly improve your skills and keep up with the latest legal news.

3.Becoming a member of professional associations, such as the National Federation of Paralegal Association, will give you an insight of the profession.

4.Always expect the unexpected, the economy is affecting everyone and keeping your resume up to date is for your best interest.

5.The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) is a national exam which, provides the paralegal extra credentials that only 11,000 members have.

6.Computer skills are mandatory along with the ability to rapidly research information. Practice using different software applications and online services.

7.Networking with legal professionals and your local chamber of commerce will expand your opportunities.

The Paralegal-As a Small Business Owner

8.In an uncertain economy, having a side business is a good idea. The opportunities for paralegal work are on the rise. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that the top 10% of paralegals earned $73,450 annually- but what was not stated is the business potential of paralegal work which can top $100,000 a year.

9.As an employee or as an employer, the paralegal can voluntarily register themselves as a certified paralegal. Although not required, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) are organizations that assess the paralegal through exams. Theses certifications provide the paralegal with an edge among the job pool or self-promotion when soliciting work from law firms.

The Paralegal-As a Future Attorney

10.As a paralegal you only need three more years of school to obtain your law degree. If you hold a paralegal certificate, you may want to consider taking an online bachelors’ degree in paralegal studies. In either case, your salary potential as a lawyer is unlimited- whereas a paralegal may top $60-90,000 dollars a year.

Top Ten Skills Needed To Be a Paralegal

Michael Moss — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:29:49 +0000

These are the top ten skills needed to become a paralegal.

1. Legal Knowledge

Most paralegals amass their vast array of legal knowledge through education and work experience. An associates or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies can help paralegals learn legal knowledge.

2. Communication Skills

Paralegals often communicate with a wide array of individuals to include attorneys, legal secretaries, clients, expert witnesses, judges, and other professionals involved in the judicial process. Excellent communication skills are essential.

3. Writing Skills

Paralegals assist lawyers in writing many legal documents to include summons, complaints, correspondence, deposition questions, briefs, and many other materials. Paralegals need to have the ability to write concisely and clearly.

4. Computer Skills

Paralegals need to understand many computer programs and feel comfortable navigating spread sheets, databases, word processing programs, e-mail accounts, and the internet.

5. Investigation Skills

Paralegals need investigation skills to conduct factual investigations, to interview witnesses, to perform site inspections, and gather material evidence. Knowledge of interview techniques is also highly valuable.

6. Organizational Skills

Paralegals need organizational skills to keep track of all the people to meet with, keep track of the mounds of legal paperwork, and also help the lawyer keep track of his or her schedule.

7. Research Skills

Paralegals will need to be able to perform online research, medical research, legal research, and non-legal research.

8. Attention to Detail

Paralegals have to ensure that every document they produce is perfect, ensure that signatures are on all the necessary documents, and focus on all the details that legal work requires.

9. Analytical Thinking Skills

Paralegals have to analyze legal documents, evidence, correspondence, medical records, and many other documents. Analytical thinking skills are essential

10. Clerical Skills

Paralegals often perform clerical tasks early in their career before being given a lot of legal responsibility. So it’s important that paralegals can perform basic clerical tasks such as filing, keeping a calendar, writing correspondence, and making copies to prepare for more demanding opportunities.

In conclusion, the paralegal field is challenging and exciting. According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia online, the median salary for paralegals is $67,600. For those interested in becoming a paralegal an associates or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is usually the best educational path for entry into this interesting field.

10 Books Every Paralegal Student Should Read

Michael Moss — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:19:05 +0000

Students interested in becoming a paralegal should read the following 10 books.

1. Becoming a Paralegal
This book tells the reader everything they need to know about becoming a paralegal.

2. The Everything Guide to Being a Paralegal: Winning Secrets to a Successful Career!
This book covers paralegal career options, day to day paralegal work and ethics.

3. Legal Research For Beginners
This book is an excellent choice because paralegals spend a lot of time researching the law. This book covers the basics of how to research a legal issue from start to finish.

4. Legal Writing In Plain English: A Text With Exercises
This book will help interested students learn to prepare and write legal documents. This text helps the student learn more effective wording.

5. The Paralegal’s Handbook: A Complete Reference for All Your Daily Tasks
This is a good choice for reading because it covers every aspect of a paralegal’s job.

6. Paralegal Career For Dummies
This book is focuses on helping the reader get a job in the right area of law where the paralegal will be happiest and most effective.

7. Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills
This text covers document preparation, legal research, rules of ethics for each state, representing clients at administrative agencies and many other skills. Each topic in this text is covered in great detail.

8. 2010 Federal Civil Rules Booklet
This book is important because paralegals need to be aware of the current laws.

9. Paralegal Procedures and Practices
This book is meant to supplement another paralegal text. Readers of this text are given examples on how to interview clients, create documents and structure their resume.

10. Lessons from the Top Paralegal Experts: The 15 Most Successful Paralegals and What You can Learn from Them
This book is very important to provide the reader with real world examples of exactly what the paralegal profession entails. Paralegals discuss certification and whether paralegals should be state certified. They also give the reader day to day advice on a range of topics.