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Private law firms employed 7 out of 10 paralegals and legal assistants; most of the remainder worked for corporate legal departments and various levels of government. |
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About 60 percent of court reporters worked for State and local governments, a reflection of the large number of court reporters working in courts, legislatures, and various agencies. |
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In May 2004, full-time wage and salary paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $39,130. |
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| (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Legal Assistants and Court Reporters) |
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| Degrees in Criminal Justice Articles :: Criminal Justice Schools |
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| Take Authority of Your Career: Three Criminal Justice Administration Careers That Are Hot |
| by Elise Zito |
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Thanks to CourtTV and shows like C.S.I., the Criminal Justice field has been attracting attention and job seekers like never before. Here's a look at three hot criminal justice jobs -- criminal justice admnistration, court reporting, and legal secretary -- and the education you'll need to assert your "authority" therein...
Taking Authority: criminal justice administration . Criminal justic programs, in demand at many colleges and universities nationwide, including the University of Phoenix, can enhance your knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice field, as well as open doors for you within the field if you ever wish to try something new.
According to the school, its bachelor of science in criminal justice administration degree program is designed to equip learners with a fundamental understanding of the nature of delinquency and crime, criminal law and procedure, the goals and essential components of the American criminal justice system, and to teach basic management and administrative skills to run organizations in this area. The program also strives to familiarize students with current trends, research techniques, and technological advances in the discipline.
Silent Sleuthing: Life as a Court Reporter
Opportunities for the aspiring court reporter are highly favorable, as the number of job openings currently outnumbers the number of job seekers. Those with proper certification and training will have the most success in finding employment. Training in court reporting can take anywhere from a few months to three years, depending on the type of court reporting in which you are interested.
Basic court reporting responsibilities include producing word-for-word transcripts of legal proceedings, speeches, conversations, meetings, and any other situation that merits an accurate written account of spoken words for correspondence, records and/or legal proof.
There are over 160 postsecondary vocational and technical schools and colleges that offer programs in court reporting. Some states require court reporters to pass a state test or examination in order to become certified in court reporting. Above all, those in the field of court reporting must be especially adept at recording and relaying information, as well as possess excellent listening and English grammar skills. Some court reporters, called voice writers, receive and communicate information solely via speech, and therefore must be able to listen and speak simultaneously and with exceptional speed and accuracy.
The average court reporter earned a salary of $42,920 in 2004, with the potential to earn more than $80,000.
Digging for Details: Life as a Legal Secretary
A legal secretary shares many of the duties of a regular secretary, such as answering telephones, filing, copying, and maintaining overall office organization. However, a legal secretary's responsibilities also include preparing legal papers (summonses, complaints, motions, subpoenas, etc.), reviewing legal journals and assisting with legal research, and being up to date on the technical terminology and procedures of the criminal justice field.
These specialized responsibilities also require specialized training and certification. An aspiring legal secretary must complete a state-specific training program, as well as meet the state's educational requirements for the profession. Bachelor's degree and professional certificate programs are being offered more frequently and becoming increasingly important to a legal secretary's ability to meet the demands of a growing global business community.
Discretion, sound judgment, organizational skills and self-motivation are important characteristics of a successful legal secretary. Extensive knowledge of software applications, such as word-processing, spreadsheets, and database management will further your chances of obtaining employment. The average earnings of a legal secretary fell between $29,070 and $46,390 in 2004, with the potential to earn more than $56,590.
About the author:
http://www.collegebound.net/content
Elise B. Zito is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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