Is there a paralegal aroud to answer a few questions for me??

Im in school now to become a paralegal, In one of my classes we have to write a paper on our career. I decided i wanted to go for a paralegal degree awhile ago because a friends parent told me it was a good career.
after researching im hearing it shouldn't be viewed as a career, but as a "foot in the door" to become an attorney.
Im not interested i going to law school.
Is this a good job to have for a long time or only temporary?
Is the pay good enough to support a family?
I just need to know if i should continue on this path, or go another route?

Paralegal IS a career. It can be used to get a foot in the door on the way to being an attorney, but that is not it's sole purpose. Attorneys could not do their jobs without paralegals. I got a degree in paralegal studies because I was interested in law and thought about becoming an attorney some day. Now that I am a paralegal, I am completely content in my position and have no desire to go onto law school.

A career as a paralegal is very fulfilling. The pay is okay when you are first starting out, it gets better though with more years of experience and a better work product. Paralegals can earn up to $60,000 a year with years of experience.

I recommend getting a job in a law office now to build up your law office experience. It is really difficult to find a job as a paralegal, even with a degree, when you have no law office experience.

The opportunities for a paralegal really depends on the specialty. The most in demand paralegals are those in the litigation field; followed by corporate paralegals who are responsible for maintaining corporate records, articles of incorporation, etc. While the "least" markeable [but the "highest" paid] paralegals are in the field of intellectual property [i.e., patents, trademarks] and immigration law. In conclusion, choose your paralegal courses accordingly, with emphasis on litigation preparation [discovery], docketing/calendaring of incoming pleadings [calendaring] and trial preparation [creating Exhibit tabs, Bajii jury instructions, etc.]. The "pro" side of a litigation paralegal is often "unlimited" overtime which can amount to a high salary range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year, while the "downside," being constantly pressured to meet a monthly client billable quota. And failing to meet that quota, often results in the paralegal's overnight dismissal. It's not a pretty picture. I just want to lay out what really happens in the real world of litigators and their relationship with subordinate paralegals.

Good luck!