Few questions about an Associates degree in Legal Assisting?

Well, my school offers an associates degree in Legal Assisting. After doing research on the degree, it looks like a career that I think I'd enjoy. I have a few questions about the career though:

1. To get a job, does one need a Bachelors degree, or is an associates degree in this field just fine?

2. What's the job market for this field like?

3. Does the fact I'm a male hurt me in any ways when applying for jobs and such?

Any other things that people can tell me about the degree/field would be nice too. Thanks!

Excellent questions and congratulations on your decision to pursue legal assisting as a career!

First, a bachelor's degree is increasingly becoming the 'preferred standard' for many mid-sized to large firms hiring paralegals/legal assistants. The reason is the rigorous interdisciplinary nature of a four year paralegal program, which exposes the student to courses in the liberal arts as well as substantive legal courses. Legal employers are looking for a well-rounded student, not just technically proficient. The law is an incredibly mutli-faceted and complex field requiring a command of a variety of academic disciplines.

That said, an A.A./A.S./A.A.S. from an ABA-accredited institution is a perfectly acceptable entry-level qualification for becoming a paralegal, especially in smaller job markets outside of the larger metropolitan areas like New York, Boston or Los Angeles. Indeed, many solo practitioners and smaller law firms are more amenable to hiring graduates of two-year paralegal programs than four-year programs. The simple reason for this is that they can pay you less.

Second, the demand for competent paralegals is relatively high. The key is to make sure that you attend an ABA-accredited institution, absorb as much practical knowledge as possible, dissect complicated legal issues succintly, but thoroughly, and write with precision and clarity. I cannot stress how important it is for a paralegal to be able to write well, enough. If your school offers an advanced legal research and writing class, take it.

Third, I do not think the fact that you are a male is an issue at all. Your goal should be to impress your employer with your competence, not worry about any stigma associated with being a male paralegal. In my three years of working for attorneys, including as a secretary to an AV-rated female domestic relations attorney at a top law firm, I have never found that being a male is a hindrance.

I hope these answers help you. And good luck!

just be prepared to have many female co workers doing the same thing you're doing.