Making the Most of a Paralegal Internship

A paralegal internship can be valuable first step when starting out along the paralegal career path. An internship offers you hands on experience and gives you on-the-job training as a paralegal. Nearly all paralegal training programs offer internships as part of their curriculum as most schools have partnered with local firms and agencies to coordinate internship opportunities. A paralegal internship is a way to use your classroom training in a real life working environment. A paralegal training program will typically offer you one semester of interning, but those who have very little background in legal work may choose to do two semesters of interning.

If you are looking into different paralegal programs, then finding one with an internship requirement may be advantageous in the long-run. Also, just because your specific program is ABA-approved does not automatically mean it has an internship requirement. Check the program guidelines carefully if an internship requirement is important to you, and it should be if you are serious about utilizing all of your available resources to land a career. If you are already enrolled into a program without an internship requirement, speak to your professors about internship opportunities. While you may be able to find internships on your own, seeking an internship through your school may offer the chance to earn academic credit.

An internship can last anywhere from 3-4 months (about the length of a college semester) or even the length of an entire case, it all depends on the law firm, their needs, and your availability. Some internships are offered over summer and require more hours per week than those offered during the traditional fall or spring semesters.

Most internships are unpaid, although if you do find a paid internship it will usually be about $10-12/hour. The law firm may offer a small stipend or pay for your mileage to assist you while you are interning. Check the details to see if any type of compensation is offered. If you are interning through your paralegal training program, then you will likely receive academic credit in exchange for your time and work. When you find an internship that is appealing, then you should find out the requirements for candidacy and apply right away because paralegal internships can become competitive.

A paralegal internship offers a student many benefits, including:

Real on-the-job Experience

When deciding on your paralegal internship, you want to find one that matches your future career goals. For example, if you want to work in the non-profit sector or in litigation law, then you should choose a firm that closely relates to the area of law you are interested in pursuing. By spending your time in the area of law you are interested in, you will maximize the value of your experience and it will help to polish the career objective section of your resume to match your previous experience and future goals.

Networking Opportunities

Academic internships give you a chance to meet other paralegals, legal secretaries, lawyers, and other legal professionals. Internships give you the chance to speak to other paralegals and inquire about their experience and ask them for tips on how to be a successful paralegal. Although it may be an unpaid internship, you should always strive to put your best foot forward, be on time for work, dress appropriately, and aim to do your work well. Providing exceptional work through your internships will make others remember you and you never know if an internship may lead to a paralegal position after graduation.

References and Contacts

An internship will provide you with some great contacts in the legal profession that can result in reference letters, mentors, or just valuable acquaintances. If you work in a small town, you may come to find out that the legal world is very small indeed. A reference letter from an established attorney in your area can be the ticket to your first entry level paralegal job after graduation.

The Legal Environment and Office Politics

Law firms are known for their robust activity and high stress environments. An internship is a great way to learn how to navigate a legal office and cope with office politics. As a paralegal you will be working at a firm or agency and may be in close quarters to fellow co-workers. An internship will give you a chance to display your own professionalism and sharpen your interpersonal skills.