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People who want to become paralegals will likely feel that they will have good job satisfaction.
The truth is that paralegals often give low scores when they are asked about job satisfaction.
The scores ranged from 2.7 out of 5 stars when Career Explorer surveyed paralegals to 5.1 out of 10, as U.S. News and World Report reported.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the job outlook for paralegals is only one percent through 2033.
The slower-than-average job growth is one reason that paralegals may search for alternative careers where they can use their knowledge, skills, and experience.
The top six alternative careers for paralegals allow them to make good use of their skills.
They may feel less job-related stress when they change careers.
List of Alternative Careers
Paralegals who want to change careers have several options.
They need to explore alternative careers and decide which is best suited to their goals and skills.
1. Administrative Services Manager
Description
Administrative services managers oversee the office support services for organizations.
They may coordinate activities that help one or more office support services.
The administrative service managers at organizations make sure that facilities or organizations comply with regulations, health standards, or security standards.
They set deadlines and goals, recommend policy or procedure changes, and supervise staff.
Transferable Skills
Paralegals have many transferable skills that will help them transition to an administrative services manager career.
Computer skills, writing skills, record-keeping, and multitasking are transferable skills.
Some other transferable skills include data analysis, research skills, attention to detail, and organization skills.
Potential Requirements
Administrative service managers need to have similar work experience.
Paralegals have the skills to make a smooth transition to the role of administrative services manager.
Paralegals may need to complete a bachelor’s degree for some employers.
Looking for jobs that require a high school diploma or an associate’s degree is one way that paralegals can start a new career if they do not have a bachelor’s degree.
Some administrative services managers earn a certification from the Institute of Certified Records Managers or from ARMA International.
Benefits
The 2023 average salary for administrative services and facilities managers was $104,900.
Compare this to the $60,970 per year for paralegals.
The job growth for administrative services managers between 2023 and 2033 is expected to be faster than average, compared to the slower-than-average job growth for paralegals.
Administrative services managers have the potential for career progression.
They gain knowledge of roles in logistics, personnel, and executive management.
2. Mediator
Description
Mediators use problem-solving skills to help people work through problems or issues.
They act as a neutral facilitator when the parties to a dispute discuss the issues.
The role of mediators also includes evaluating information or evidence from documents, seeking concessions from each party, and applying relevant policies, laws, and regulations to help the parties reach an agreement outside the court system.
Transferable Skills
Paralegals have experience investigating and gathering the facts related to a case.
The duties of paralegals are similar to the duties that are required of mediators.
They perform duties that include drafting legal documents, communicating with witnesses, scheduling meetings, and researching laws and regulations.
The skills that paralegals have are some of the same or similar to the skills of mediators.
They are easily transferable to a career as a mediator.
Potential Requirements
Paralegals who do not have a bachelor’s degree may need to earn the degree to transition to a mediator career.
Mediators may need to complete additional courses or training that is relative to their area of expertise.
Benefits
The faster-than-average job growth rate through at least 2033 is a benefit that paralegals are likely to consider when transitioning to becoming mediators.
The average salary for mediators is more than the average salary for paralegals.
Paralegals have knowledge and skills that allow them to make a smooth transition to become mediators.
3. Law Librarian
Description
Law librarians work at law schools, courts, law firms, and government organizations.
They perform legal research and evaluate the accuracy and quality of sources.
Law librarians procure, classify, and manage law library materials.
Many law librarians work in specialized areas such as taxation, government documents, international law, or library administration.
Transferable Skills
Paralegals have skills such as writing, researching, and analyzing that easily transition to law librarian careers.
Both paralegals and law librarians have information management and data analysis skills.
They also have good communication skills.
Potential Requirements
Paralegals may need to earn a master’s degree to become law librarians.
Checking with law libraries or the specialty area that paralegals want to work in can help paralegals learn the educational requirements.
Benefits
The average salary for law librarians, as of December 1, 2024, was $69,214.
Salary.com indicates that law librarians may earn as much as $88,762.
Law librarians can work in specialized areas that they are interested in or that meet their career goals.
4. Computer Support Specialist
Description
Assisting computer users, maintaining computer networks, and troubleshooting networks and internet systems are some duties that are performed by computer support specialists.
Providing user training and assisting with hardware and software installations are some other duties performed by computer support specialists.
Transferable Skills
Paralegals have easily transferable skills when they want to transition to a computer support specialist career.
Some examples of these skills include being detail-oriented, having good communication skills, assisting with gathering facts, and providing documentation.
Computer support specialists and paralegals both analyze issues and help their team members and managers.
Potential Requirements
Paralegals may not have to earn a college degree to become computer support specialists.
The requirements vary by employer and by specific computer support specialist positions.
Skills such as having computer knowledge and experience working on computers help paralegals get a good job when they start their new careers.
Paralegals who have other skills and experience that relate to computer support specialist’s work are likely to have the best jobs when they start their new careers.
Benefits
Computer support specialists have a moderate level of on-the-job training.
They do not have to earn a four-year degree.
The salary for computer support specialists is more than the average salary for paralegals.
The job outlook for computer support specialists is faster than average when compared to other occupations.
5. Compliance Officer
Description
Compliance officers oversee the compliance of a company or organization with government laws and regulations.
They identify potential risks and perform assessments of security requirements.
Compliance officers implement procedures and policies to comply with laws and regulations.
They make sure that organizations comply with the policies.
Transferable Skills
Some things that paralegals do include researching laws and regulations, being detail-oriented, investigating, and gathering facts.
They use their problem-solving skills and help lawyers with various duties.
Paralegals use many of the skills that are used by compliance officers.
They expand on their transferable skills as they learn the duties of compliance officers.
Potential Requirements
Compliance officers need to have a bachelor’s degree.
Checking the education and training requirements of employers helps paralegals get the education that they need to become compliance officers.
The area that compliance officers specialize in also determines their required training and education.
They may need to have a certification to work in some specialized areas.
Benefits
The average salary for compliance officers is more than that of paralegals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that many compliance officers earn an average of $123,710.
They indicate that many paralegals earn an average of $98,830.
The 10-year job growth projection for compliance officers is 4.56 percent.
Compare this to the 1.0 percent job growth projection for paralegals.
6. Human Resources Manager
Description
Human resources managers interview and hire new staff.
They are a valued link between an organization or agency and its employees.
Human resources managers handle issues with staffing and mediation disputes.
Some of their duties may depend on where they work as human resources managers.
Transferable Skills
Paralegals and human resources managers deal with disputes.
They are valued employees at their company or agency.
Human resources managers and paralegals are involved in planning and coordinating, researching, organizing, and maintaining files and documents.
Human resources managers need communication skills, networking skills, computer skills, and organizational skills.
Paralegals also need these skills.
Potential Requirements
Human resources managers need several years of education and work-related experience.
Many human resources managers have a bachelor’s degree.
Some of them earn a master’s degree.
Benefits
Paralegals usually work in the courts, while human resources managers work in a variety of settings.
Human resources managers may have a high level of overall job satisfaction.
Human resources managers will experience a six percent job growth rate through 2033.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that they earned an average salary of $136,500 in 2023.
Tips for Transitioning Careers
Researching the job requirements is important for paralegals who want to transition to an alternative career.
Considering the job growth projections, the average salary, and the transferable skills of paralegals, are some tips for making a smooth career change.
Leveraging existing skills is important in interviews.
Paralegals also need to leverage their skills in their resumes.
Networking with professionals can help paralegals who want a new career.
It can help them learn about additional training or education that they need in their desired career.
Conclusion
Paralegals can have an easy transition to a new career when they know the job requirements and the educational requirements.
Leveraging their existing skills and networking with professionals are important tips for paralegals to have a smooth career change.
Considering the job growth projections for other careers and the average salary for those careers may help paralegals make decisions about transitioning to an alternative career.
