New York Career Institute

Common Questions about Becoming a Paralegal

A paralegal, or legal assistant, is the individual responsible for providing help to attorneys throughout each step of the legal process. If you are considering entering the field of law, take a look at the following answers to common questions about becoming a paralegal:

• What Kind of Education Is Required?

Becoming a paralegal requires training from a formal institute. It is possible to enter the paralegal field with either an associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. However, a separate college degree may be required in conjunction with a certificate. An associate’s degree in paralegal studies requires 60 credits which can be completed in about two years as a full-time student or at your own pace as a part-time student. A certificate in paralegal studies requires 30 credits and takes about half of the time of an associate’s degree program. Both an associate’s degree and a certificate program will include coursework in various fields of law as well as English composition and communication.

• What Legal Fields Can a Paralegal Work In?

Paralegals are required for every legal field in law offices of all sizes. In addition to small and large law firms, paralegals are also hired to work in government or public law offices and the legal departments of banks and corporations. It is also possible for a paralegal to be employed as an independent contractor, working for different attorneys and law offices for set periods of time.

• What Are the Job Responsibilities of a Paralegal?

Attorneys frequently delegate a number of legal tasks to paralegals. Interviews with clients or witnesses, case investigations, and legal research are all frequently the responsibility of paralegals. As a paralegal, you may also be asked to compose legal documents, organize case information, and attend court proceedings with attorneys.

At New York Career Institute, we offer both an associate’s degree and a certificate program in paralegal studies. To learn more about become a paralegal or to obtain information about our courses, call us today at (917) 267-2728.

Tasks of a Court Reporter: All about Stenography

A court reporter provides essential services both in and out of the courtroom using stenography. At New York Career Institute, we offer an associate’s degree in occupational studies and a certificate program for those who wish to pursue stenography training. Check out the following information to learn about the responsibilities of a court reporter:

• Transcribe Legal Proceedings

A court reporter chronicles every word spoken during judicial proceedings and legal meetings. This is done so that everyone concerned in a legal proceeding can access verbatim transcripts. Stenography involves the use of a stenotype machine, which allows the court reporter to record conversations with a code. This code is a shorthand language which is used to record rapid conversations as they occur.

• Create Court Transcripts

The code used in stenography can be translated into English using a computer. After the record has been translated, it is the court reporter’s job to proofread and edit the transcript to be sure that it accurately represents the recorded conversations.

• Organize Legal Records

In addition to preparing legal transcripts, a court reporter may be responsible for organizing and accessing legal records during court proceedings. These tasks are often completed at the request of judges and attorneys.

• Provide Closed-Captioning

Court reporters are increasingly being tasked with providing real-time closed-captioning during court proceedings and speeches. A computer is attached to the court reporter’s stenotype machine, which translates code as it is typed before broadcasting it onto a television screen. This is often done when an individual with impaired hearing is in attendance at a trial. It is also possible for those with training in stenography to provide closed-captioning services outside of the courtroom.

Becoming a court reporter is a great way to boost your career and enter the legal field. If you are interested in becoming a court reporter, take a look at the education options offered at New York Career Institute. To learn more, contact our admissions representatives today at (917) 267-2728.

5 Tips to Help You File Your FAFSA

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, allows you to seek federal funding for your college education. There are a few steps that you can take to help make filing your FAFSA a smooth and simple process.

This video provides advice for students getting ready to file their FAFSA. The appropriate time to submit your FAFSA, as well as the different funding available, is described during the clip. The video also highlights the importance of ensuring that your FAFSA is completely accurate before you submit it.

The financial aid advisors at New York Career Institute can provide additional assistance to students who are applying for financial aid. To learn more about FAFSA or financial aid at our school, call us today at (917) 267-2728.

How to Become a Paralegal

If you’re considering a career within the public court system or law field, then consider becoming a certified paralegal. If you have good writing and communication skills and you think you’ll enjoy working with contracts and official documents, then check out this video to learn about how to become a paralegal.  

You’ll learn where to go to find helpful information that is specific to your state. You’ll also get some insight about what it means to be a paralegal for a law firm.

If you are inspired by this video, then enroll at New York Career Institute to become a certified paralegal. We offer the education and opportunities you need to make a lucrative career change and jumpstart your life. For more information on how we can help you become a paralegal, check out our website. If you’re interested in becoming a legal assistant or court reporter, then we can help with that, too. Call (917) 267-2728 today to learn more or begin enrolling.

Discover More About Earning Your Certificate Or Associate's Degree With These Great Resources

We’ve discussed tips for balancing a full-time job with a degree program, and the differences between certificate and associate’s degree programs. Explore the links below or call New York Career Institute today at (917) 267-2728 to learn more about these topics.

• This article from Monster.com contains tips for managing work and school.
• If you are balancing schoolwork and a career with having a family, take a look at this article from Yahoo.
• For tips on effective time management, check out this page from the Mayo Clinic.
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides details about the education required for specific jobs and career fields.
• To learn about the differences between educational programs, check out this article.