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First, some facts. Of the Legal Assistant and Paralegal graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 62 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Legal Assistant and Paralegal graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 27% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Legal Assistant and Paralegal graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 0% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Peirce College with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Legal Assistant and Paralegal. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSelf Employed NAJI Handmade Soap Oct 2018 - Oct 2023 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGPost Baccalaureate CertificateBryan University 2012 - 2013 ABOUTParalegal, Bachelor of Science; EDiscovery Project Management I graduated from Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, NJ in December 2010 while simultaneously earning a paralegal certificate and an associates in Paralegal studies. I transferred from MCCC to its sister college program, at Peirce College in Philadelphia, Pa. where I was the first graduate, to complete Pierce Colleges paralegal bachelor of science program and I graduated in May 2012. My experience at Peirce College gave me the professional hands on hybrid/remote training not only as a paralegal/legal assistant for attorneys; I was also intensely trained to help pro se litigants with document preparation. My studies at Pierce centered on unauthorized practice of law, attorney ethics, paralegal ethics and the role of a paralegal. At Peirce, I was trained to avoid any unauthorized practice of law pursuant to New Jerseys leading case, Opinion 33, 153 N.J.L.J. 184, 7 N.J.L. 1584 (July 13, 1998). Also at Peirce, I was introduced to legal technology and I furthered my education by enrolling in Bryan University which is located in Los Angeles, CA. Some of the skills I learned at Peirce college are easily transferable to any assignment from your firm which include the following: Legal Research, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Tort Law, Advanced Legal Research, Criminal Law, Advanced Criminal Law, Business Organizations, Professional Legal Responsibility, Worker's Compensation, Legal Technology, Contract Law, Paralegal Capstone I: Advanced Civil Litigation, Paralegal Capstone II: Skills/Regulation. At Bryan, I studied for a certification in e-discovery project management and I graduated in January 2014. The skillset I earned from Bryan and Peirce combined taught me how to work remotely and the course I completed were virtual. Some of the skills that I have learned at Bryan University can be easily transferred to your firm and include the following: E-Discovery Project Management Introduction to E-Discovery Information Technology and Data Architecture Project Management Lifecycle Information Management, Identification, and Preservation Collection, Processing, and Analysis Managing the Review Process and the Production of ESI Budgeting, Risk Management, and Cost Control of E-Discovery E-Discovery Lab E-Discovery Crisis Management E-Discovery: Legal Framework and Case Law Communication Strategies Within E-Discovery. I am also willing to relocate. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the job prospects of individuals who graduated with degrees in Legal Assistant and Paralegal studies, a clear pattern emerges. Many graduates have pursued careers closely tied to the legal field, particularly roles like Paralegal and Legal Assistant. These jobs leverage the core competencies they gained through their education, such as legal research, understanding of legal terminology, and procedural knowledge. Positions directly related to legal work not only include roles like "Paralegal" and "Legal Assistant," but also internships and externships that offer foundational experiences. For instance, many students secured paralegal internships while still attending school, giving them a head start in their careers. Such positions are highly relevant and align perfectly with their academic background.
However, not every graduate followed a path that directly relates to their studies. Quite a few ended up in roles that are either tangentially connected to the legal field or completely unrelated. Positions like Customer Service Representatives, Sales Executives, and even roles in retail showcased a shift away from the core legal knowledge that these students were trained to use. While some of these roles might employ skills that can be beneficial in a legal context—like communication and problem-solving—the day-to-day responsibilities often do not involve the application of legal principles or an understanding of legal documentation. This indicates that while a paralegal education can provide a strong foundation for a legal career, the job market's reality often leads graduates to roles that don't utilize their skills fully.
In summary, while there is a significant number of legal assistant and paralegal graduates who successfully transitioned into relevant job roles within the legal field, there remains a sizable portion whose careers diverted into areas that do not capitalize on their specialized education. This mixed bag of outcomes highlights the importance of not only obtaining a degree in this field but also strategically seeking out experiences and job opportunities that directly relate back to legal work to achieve a fulfilling career in the legal realm.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Legal Assistant and Paralegal graduates:
The career trajectories for graduates with a degree in Legal Assistant and Paralegal seem to vary quite a bit, but there are some common patterns that emerge. Generally, many of these individuals find their first jobs post-graduation in roles that are directly related to the legal field—such as paralegals, legal assistants, or even in roles like legal interns. For instance, those who graduated from institutions like Kaplan University and Peirce College often jumped straight into positions that aligned with their studies, such as paralegals in law firms or legal investigators, which is a strong sign that these degrees are leading to relevant initial job placements.
However, looking five to ten years down the line, the paths start to diverge. Some of these graduates stay within the legal realm and advance their careers, moving up from roles like paralegals to positions such as legal assistants or even attorneys, while others take unexpected turns. For example, we can see individuals who first started as paralegals have shifted toward more administrative careers or even completely unrelated fields, often finding themselves in positions like billing specialists or customer service representatives. It's interesting to note that certain graduates may not have succeeded in carving out a continuous legal career. Instead, they seem to have settled into roles that, while providing stability, might not fully utilize their legal training.
Overall, it appears that while many graduates manage to secure jobs that directly relate to their studies as legal assistants or paralegals early on, the longer-term scenarios show a notable number veering away from the legal field altogether. This could be due to various factors, such as job market saturation, personal interests, or economic conditions influencing career choices. Nevertheless, there are definitely success stories amongst these alumni, showcasing how a degree in Legal Assistant and Paralegal can lead to fulfilling legal careers, albeit with a pretty mixed bag of outcomes for many others.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Assistant and Paralegal can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not the hardest; you’ll definitely need to put in some effort, especially if you’re not super into reading and writing. There’s a fair amount of legal jargon to wrap your head around, and classes will often involve case studies and research. If you’re organized and can manage your time well, you’ll probably find it pretty manageable, but if you struggle with those things, it might feel a bit tougher. Overall, expect some challenge, but it’s definitely doable for most students who stay on top of their work.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Legal Assistant and Paralegal.
When looking at the job history of these graduates, it's a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some have climbed the ladder in their respective fields, like the person who graduated from Loyola University Chicago and worked their way up to AVP at DHI Title. Others, though, seem to be stuck in entry-level or less stable positions. For instance, the graduates working as delivery drivers or customer service representatives aren't likely raking in the big bucks, especially if they haven’t advanced their careers significantly since graduation.
In general, professions like paralegals and legal assistants can offer solid pay, but it really depends on the specific roles and companies. Many of these graduates have stayed in similar roles for years, which might not indicate high earning potential without jumping to a higher position or taking on more specialized responsibilities. Overall, while some have definitely secured better-paying roles, others might need to look for opportunities to level up their careers if they want to see more substantial income.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Legal Assistant and Paralegal. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Legal Assistant and Paralegal (ordered by the average relevance score of their Legal Assistant and Paralegal graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: