A paralegal is a licensed professional in the province of Ontario. To become one, an individual must graduate from a program that is accredited by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and then pass a licensing exam set by the LSO. The paralegal training program at Algonquin Careers Academy is accredited by the LSO.

The Algonquin Careers Academy paralegal program is a focused 12-month program that allows students to graduate and begin their careers quickly without investing several years in their post-secondary training. Many students choose this path over traditional university programs, as private colleges in Ottawa often provide more direct career training.

Here are four things worth keeping in mind if you are considering enrolling in a paralegal program:

Understand What a Paralegal Can and Cannot Do

A paralegal’s scope of practice includes several different important duties and responsibilities. Paralegals in Ontario can represent clients independently in Small Claims Court and before many tribunals. Paralegals can practice in several areas of law, including provincial offences, landlord and tenant disputes, and labour law, and they can represent clients for certain criminal matters.

It is good to know a little bit about the profession before starting your program to be sure your interests and career goals are aligned. If you’re researching educational options, private colleges in Ottawa offer specialized training to help students enter the legal field quickly.

One of your responsibilities may include conducting legal research

Good Communication Skills Are Important for Your Paralegal Training

Anyone aspiring to a successful career as a paralegal should have the interpersonal skills needed to get ahead in the field. If you enjoy meeting and interacting with people and want to help peers and clients, you are a great fit for a career as a paralegal.

Other important skills include being a strong communicator and having a keen willingness to help people better understand the law and the complex processes behind it. If you already have experience in a customer service job, this could help you as a paralegal since you will be expected to be a helpful and supportive presence for your clients. At Algonquin Careers Academy, students gain valuable experience that prepares them for real-world legal work.

As a Paralegal, You Can Be Self-Employed Running Your Own Practice

After your paralegal training and completion of the Law Society of Ontario licensing exam, you could work as an independent paralegal with your own practice. This would give you a greater amount of freedom. If you prefer having as much flexibility as possible with your work, becoming an independently practicing licensed paralegal may be for you.

Paralegals also launch successful careers within government, non-profit organizations, corporations, and law firms. There are a lot of options for a licensed paralegal! Many graduates from private colleges in Ottawa, including Algonquin Careers Academy, have found rewarding opportunities in the field.

You can work as an independent paralegal with your own business

Training to Become a Paralegal Is Hard Work, but Well Worth It!

Going back to school can seem daunting at first, especially if it has been a few years since the last time you were a student. Fortunately, while it takes hard work and dedication to become a paralegal, it’s a career that also comes with many rewards. As a paralegal, you’ll have the opportunity to help others in a meaningful way. For example, Jeff Bogaerts, a graduate of Algonquin Careers Academy’s paralegal program, helped take a case to the Ontario Court of Appeal!

Paralegals can also earn a solid income. In Ontario, the median wage for a paralegal is $28.21/hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $50.55/hour. If you’re looking for a career that is challenging and rewarding and offers good compensation, there’s a lot to look forward to after graduating from a paralegal program!

Are you ready to see how our Paralegal Course can change your career?

Contact Algonquin Careers Academy for more info!