Q&A: Can a Librarian With Skills in Reference, Research, and Other Areas Potentially Become a Good Paralegal?
Question (as asked):
"With times being as tough as they are, and job opportunities not being
great, I'm considering getting certified as a paralegal. It seems
from what I've read so far that a Librarian's skills could translate
well into a paralegal's duties, and I wanted to ask if anyone has any
knowledge, experience, or opinion in the matter.
Does being a Librarian with skills in research and reference and other
areas mean such a person could potentially make a good paralegal? And
if so, does anyone recommend a particular course of action over
another for getting certification or experience?"
Summary of Responses:
On the positive side:
People who thought it was a good idea stressed how the fit is
basically a natural one, how a librarian's and a paralegal's skills
complemented one another.
Education was a major point, how someone could work while getting the
necessary certificate(check your state's requirements--they vary.)
The "immediate return" on a paralegal certificate was also stressed,
how once you have it, doors could potentially open right up.
On the negative side:
More than one person described work that was more administrative than
it was library-related. Little research, reference, or other type
work. Often work was more like that of a court runner, updating
clients, making copies, and the like.
Others describing their situations more often than not went in the
direction of being law librarians--more reasonable hours, more work
that they wanted to do, and more respect.
Lots more was written, of course. But those are the types of points I
focused on.
