We’re into the second week of the Blade Runner’s murder trial, but yet the public attention shows no sign of waning. Has the trial perhaps sparked your curiosity about legal careers? If you’re interested in a career in the legal field but don’t know where to start, consider going the paralegal route.
That’s the advice of Natalie Rabson of Boston City Campus and Business College. “Oscar Pistorius’ trial has certainly showed that there is loads and loads of work that goes on behind the scenes in preparation for a court case,” she comments. “This high profile case gives us a glimpse into the things that legal teams do in their quest for justice. It seems they leave no stone unturned; think about how the defence team recreated screams and shouts in tests at Pistorius’ home to prove that the testimony of the witnesses is wrong.”What do paralegals do and where exactly do they fit in? Paralegals play an important role in handling legal matters and court cases, and they have fulfilling jobs that contribute to the economy and to society as a whole.
But it is difficult to pinpoint what they do because a paralegal’s role depends on the type of law firm that employs him or her. Firms and paralegals can choose a field of specialisation and then do work that is relevant in that specific field. Areas of specialisation you can choose from include criminal law, environment law, medical malpractice, labour law, intellectual property and the emerging field of Internet and social media law.
General paralegal duties regardless of the field of specialization are, among others, filing paperwork, meeting clients, dealing with legal enquiries, doing research, gathering crucial (and often, sensitive) information, taking care of correspondence and filling out contracts.
Boston City Campus & Business College offers paralegal training that helps you embark on a career in the legal field namely the National Certificate: Paralegal Practice This accredited qualification is on NQF Level 5 an be completed in one year if done full-time; or in two years if done part-time.
Modules are designed to give paralegal students understanding of essential basics such as:
The National Certificate: Paralegal Practice requires that students complete a minimum of 900 hours of workplace experience at a firm. Students have to complete a Portfolio of Evidence to submit to the Safety and Security Seta (Sasseta) for final verification and certification. “With the paralegal qualification, and even while studying towards the qualification, you can work at an attorney’s practice, a company’s legal department, insurance companies, real estate firms, consumer organisations, government departments and banking institutions to name a few possibilities,” Rabson explains.
“You can carve a career niche and make a name for yourself as a paralegal like American Erin Brockovich proved. She was the driving force behind the largest settlement ever paid in a direct action lawsuit in US history and became the topic of an Oscar winning movie.” The entry requirement to enrol for the National Certificate: Paralegal Practice is a National Senior Certificate or equivalent, with English and Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy. Computer Literacy is also recommended. Boston City Campus & Business College also offers computer courses and a Higher Education Short Learning Programme in Paralegal. On successful completion of this short learning programme, you can potentially get higher education credits that count towards, for instance the Boston BCom in Management Marketing.
Furthermore, as a Unisa licensee, Boston offers lecture support towards the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at its campuses. Technology support lectures towards the LLB are available either full time or part-time. “If you are seriously considering a legal career, the best is to speak to a career advisor who can explain the various study options and help you choose wisely,” says Rabson. She points out that Boston City Campus & Business College offers some 80 career qualifications at over 40 branches nationwide and offers career advisory services as a social service, free of charge.
All you need to do is book an appointment with a career advisor at the Boston college nearest to you. Contact Boston on 011 551-2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za , visit www.boston.co.za for more information. Boston Bedfordview can advise on the Unisa LLB, 011 455 6992.
Students that apply for admission at Boston City Campus & Business College will get a response to their applications within two working days. And those that apply long in advance for their 2016 studie…
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