Job opportunities with no college degree? (paralegal) (Boston: apartment, how much)

[monicad]

Hi Everyone!,

I am a 22 year old paralegal. I am considering moving to the Boston area sometime in the near future.
I currently live in San Diego, California. I was wondering if you could help give me a sense of the job opportunities in Boston.

I have 2 years experience with a civil litigation plaintiff firm, specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury. Of these 2 years working as a paralegal, most of it has been a lot of very "hands-on" litigation assistance.

The problem is, I have very little college education. I am a bright young woman, but I don't have a college degree and I get the sense that Boston holds education in high regard. However, given my experience, do you think a Boston law firm would hire me with experience instead of a college degree? The law firm I work at now is small, but with many cases and a lot of activity. This allowed me to learn a lot in such a small period of time.

If I do move to Boston, it will be in about 2 years. So what are the chances of getting a job in Boston metro, given the following:

-no college degree
-4 years experience with civil litigation
-24 years old

Also, it seems as if corporate law paralegals make a bit more money than the other types. Is it realistic that I would be able to obtain an entry level corporate paralegal position, starting at around...$40,000?
I currently make $28,000 a year (before taxes)

One more thing...Is it best to find an apartment first in Boston or land the job first?
Do Boston employment agencies actually lead to good jobs? I've always had luck with the employment agencies here in San Diego.

Well, thank you for taking the time to read this.
-Monica

[xS☺B☺s]

There is a lot of law business in Boston (Boston Legal, Ally McBeal...). I doubt there is as much corporate law here as say Houston or Dallas. Boston is academic heavy, so there is a lot of constitutional law, social law, research and institutional stuff. No doubt there is money to be made here, but I couldn't say how much. You might want to solicit your resume or try to make some contacts before diving in.

[monicad]

yeah I was thinking of going through an employment agency, or somehow establishing contacts in the business, prior to moving there.

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by monicad

yeah I was thinking of going through an employment agency, or somehow establishing contacts in the business, prior to moving there.

Smart idea Monica. The way things usually happen in Boston is like this. You come to town, live in a shoebox apartment, make some connections, start out at the bottom, earn you stripes, then move up.

[HowGoesIt]

Monica,
You should be alright. I have a friend who is a paralegal and she started out at around 40k. I would recommend having a an AA degree in paralegal studies though. As I always recommend for anyone, have a job lined up before you make the move. Cost of living in Boston is probably on par with that of San Diego.

[Mostly Lurking]

Monica,

The previous responders are trying to be helpful, but you really need to be talking to lawyers and other paralegals and legal assistants.

Boston is a major center of corporate law, much more so than San Diego, but do not expect many opportunities without at least an AA and preferably a B.S. or B.A. The documents and legal concepts are much more complex than in p.i. law; so education counts.

Here's one place to start: Counsel.Net - PARALEGALS CHATBOARD - This forum is dedicated to paralegals and legal secretaries everywhere. Paralegals should feel free to discuss all topics related to the practice of law, or just network with your fellow legal professionals across .

[monicad]

Originally Posted by Mostly Lurking

Monica,

The previous responders are trying to be helpful, but you really need to be talking to lawyers and other paralegals and legal assistants.

Boston is a major center of corporate law, much more so than San Diego, but do not expect many opportunities without at least an AA and preferably a B.S. or B.A. The documents and legal concepts are much more complex than in p.i. law; so education counts.

Here's one place to start: Counsel.Net - PARALEGALS CHATBOARD - This forum is dedicated to paralegals and legal secretaries everywhere. Paralegals should feel free to discuss all topics related to the practice of law, or just network with your fellow legal professionals across .

Awesome, thanks

[maggiekate]

You can get an AA dregree and then get certification with being a paralegal. Try to do this now while you are in Ca. That should give you an in. Once you have this and move to Boston many compaines offer to pay for schooling.