Did the commemoration of Human Rights Day ignite your interest in legal work? If so, don’t hesitate to look at the different career and study options available in the legal field, says Natalie Rabson of Boston City Campus & Business College.
“Human Rights Day is a national day that is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa,” she says. “This commemoration gives us opportunity to reflect on human rights and it also often stirs in people a yearning to dedicate themselves to careers that revolve around the promotion and protection of human rights.”
The better-known legal careers are those of attorney, advocate, prosecutor and magistrate. To embark on these careers you normally need to complete a university degree (like Bachelor of Laws (LLB) that Boston City Campus & Business College offers as a Unisa licensee) and spend time learning the ropes at a legal firm. Lesser-known legal careers include that of paralegal assistant, which, Rabson points out also offers good prospects and rewards. What do paralegals do exactly and how can you become one?
Paralegals play an important role in handling legal matters and court cases, and they have fulfilling jobs that contribute to the economy and to society as a whole. A paralegal’s role depends on the type of law firm that employs him or her; areas of specialisation you can choose from include criminal law, environment law, medical malpractice, labour law, intellectual property and the emerging field of Internet and social media law.General paralegal duties regardless of the field of specialisation include filing paperwork, meeting clients, dealing with legal enquiries, doing research, gathering crucial information, taking care of correspondence and filling out contracts. Boston City Campus & Business College offers paralegal training, namely the National Certificate: Paralegal Practice. This Safety and Security Seta (Sasseta) accredited qualification can be completed in one year full-time or in two years part-time gives paralegal students a good grounding in the SA legal system and democratic political system.The National Certificate: Paralegal Practice requires that students complete a minimum of 900 hours (5 months) of workplace experience at a legal company - where they compile a portfolio of evidence to submit for final certification.
With the paralegal qualification, you can work at an attorney’s practice, a company’s legal department, insurance companies, real estate firms, consumer organisations, government departments and banking institutions to name a few possibilities.“You can make a name for yourself as a paralegal like American Erin Brockovich - she was the driving force behind the largest settlement ever paid in a direct action lawsuit in US history and became the topic of an Oscar winning movie,” Rabson adds.
To enrol for the National Certificate: Paralegal Practice you need a National Senior Certificate or equivalent, with language competency and Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy. Computer literacy is also recommended. Boston City Campus & Business College also offers a Short Learning Programme: Executive Secretary legal. This qualification is ideal for those who’d like to do secretarial work in a legal environment – as opposed to following a pure legal career. Rabson points out that Boston City Campus & Business College offers some 80-career qualifications at over 40 branches nationwide and that students must pick careers and courses of study best suited to their individual abilities and future ambitions. “
One of the best advantages of our programmes is that you can register at any time of the year. So if you are not happy in your current course, want to grow your skills in your job, or did not register at a tertiary institution at the beginning of the year, now is a good time to get started and grow your skills and your CV”, says Rabson. “If you are seriously considering a legal career, the best is to speak to a career advisor who can explain the various study options and help you choose wisely,” continues Rabson. “We offer career advisory services as a social service, free of charge. All you need to do is go online www.boston.co.za to see which Boston campus is the nearest to you and then book a face-to-face appointment with a career advisor.” Contact Boston on 011 551-2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za for more information.
Students that apply for admission at Boston City Campus & Business College will get a response to their applications within two working days. And those that apply long in advance for their 2016 studie…
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