Do you enjoy watching shows like How to Get Away with Murder, Bull or All Rise? Have you ever thought about a career in the law? If you answered yes, then perhaps the paralegal profession is the career choice for you.

Although a paralegal cannot practice law, as a trained professional, they do much of the behind-the-scenes work which ultimately influences the final product. Some of the work involves interviewing clients, drafting legal documents, assisting in trials, conducting legal research, and investigating the facts of a case.
 

Being a paralegal can also lead to career advancement. Advancement opportunities may exist within a law firm, private business, or as a stepping stone to law school. 
 

There are also career opportunities for paralegals outside the traditional legal field. Businesses are recognizing the value of employing paralegals. 

There currently is, and will continue to be, an increase in the need for trained paralegals in such areas as finance, insurance, consulting, and healthcare. 
 

The U.S. Department of Labor projects the need for paralegals will increase at a minimum yearly rate of 8% through the year 2024.The Bureau of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor, in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, reports that as of May 2019, the median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $51,740, an amount $11,930 higher than the median wage total for all occupations of $39,810. 
 

If you are ready for a rewarding and challenging career as a paralegal, then Fayetteville Technical Community College and its Paralegal Technology Program are for you. FTCC offers two programs in paralegal studies: the associate degree in applied science program and the diploma program. The diploma program is a fast track for those who have already completed a bachelor’s degree.  Both programs are approved by the American Bar Association and the North Carolina State Bar Association. Both programs are excellent and will get you to the place you want to go.
 

Please contact me with any questions you have about the paralegal programs. I can be reached by phone at (910) 678-7379 or by e-mail at groboskm@faytechcc.edu. You can also visit the FTCC website at www.faytechcc.edu. Enter “Paralegal” as a search term using the Search Tool on the home page to read about program details for both the associate degree and diploma programs.