Category: News
Paralegal Institute named a best Top Entry-Level, Pre-Degree Paralegal Certificate Program in Arizona
We were excited to hear ParalegalEDU.org named us one of the top entry-level, pre-degree paralegal certificate programs in Arizona. We are very proud of the fact that our program will prepare you to be a paralegal assistant, legal assistant or legal project assistant. Their contributors at ParalegalEDU.org and staff have worked hard and their efforts represent a joint effort of up-and-coming paraprofessionals in the field of law, experienced paralegals, and an independent team of web developers that brought the two together to achieve their mission.
When you compare our program one of our main differentiators is that we really try to focus on three (3) key areas: Legal, Paralegal Technology and Administrative Support. As is the case with our paralegal studies certificate the core of the program is around legal research/analysis/writing and litigation and trial practice. Students receive a formal introduction to law by examining sources of American law, the court system and alternative dispute resolution, substantive law in its various forms, as well as administrative law and government regulation.
Paralegal Technology is a topic that is gaining speed even offered with some Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in high school. Due to the growth of this field its important learners are exposed to software (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and other office applications (i.e. document systems, Outlook, CRM’s, etc.) that are required to successfully support office staff.
Business communication skills are another key requirement and a growing skill set that needs to be established early in one’s legal career. We are excited to begin offering a specific online business communication skills course with this program effective May 1st, 2021. We see the demand for this a certification program tied to communication skills for other career pathways as well.
Once again, we are humbled by this acknowledgement as our goal is to continue to get better with our paralegal certificate program offerings, so our learners have the best online learning experience.
Legal Project Assistant – Exciting Legal Career
Exciting times for the legal industry as it is creating new opportunities to get into the field. This weeks topic Legal Project Assistant. Our blog last week covered Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant. Recently, I have conducted interviews with hiring managers and those that do staffing in the legal industry and one thing is consistent. It is tough to find good talent.
So today I want to share a deeper look at the Legal Project Assistant role. At first glance it sounds like a legal assistant to me, however, there does appear to be an important piece of “project management” to this role. While responsibilities are very similar, take note of qualifications (especially bullet #4)
Responsibilities:
- Maintain research database.
- Assist with completion of applications related to state and federal licensure in specific areas.
- Assist in attorney preparation for administrative hearings.
- Compile, analyze and summarize statutes and regulations.
Qualifications:
- Ability to work well independently, prioritize and multi-task to complete projects effectively and efficiently.
- Outstanding communication (oral & written) and organization skills.
- Strong Outlook, Excel, Word, Adobe and general computer skills.
- Experience successfully completing “project” start to finish related work on time.
When doing project related work that is deadline driven one skill to leverage is that of organization. Legal Project Assistants have to be diligent like Project Managers. NALA has a good Legal Project Assistant description. It keys in on effective planning & cost control skills. The best way to do that is through being highly organized and willing to help another team member out on a moments notice.
In a recent LinkedIn 2021 Survey ” According to L&D leaders globally, resilience and digital fluency were cited as the #1 or #2 most important skills across every country”. That makes perfect sense and a role such as a Legal Project Assistant – confirms it. Exciting times for this industry.
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant? Either way the legal field is in a serious growth mode.
An article published late last year went in depth as to comparing a Paralegal’s role vs. a Legal assistant. The roles are different, paralegals are more involved with the actual technicalities of the law, whereas legal assistants undertake broader tasks. This is why The Paralegal Institute is continuing to improve programs to match the needs to this growing career and the demand.
Our research has identified three (3) key area’s job candidates, with no experience, need to ensure they have the skill set for in this industry.
First and foremost business communication skills are at the forefront. Now more than every being able to successfully communicate verbally, written and knowledge of the proper communication channels (i.e. when to call, text or email) and when is the right time to use them is key.
Second, becoming resourceful how to leverage the people, process, tools and technology to get the job done is a skill within it self. This is really drives to honing those critical thinking skills as well.
Finally, technology, yes understanding the types of software and billing applications in this industry is very important. The sooner you can become exposed to these applications the more chance of success you have to be ready for an exciting job in an upward mobility career.
Life On The Go
No, I’m not talking about traveling gypsies or backpackers through Europe. I’m referring to the people that sacrifice their need for stability for their spouses as they pick up and move every 2 years. I’m referring to Military Spouses.
The average U.S. Soldier PCS’s (Permanent Change of Station) approximately every 2 years. For Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, the time can range from never to 6 years. Oftentimes, the only times Marines leave their current base is for a deployment, and because Sailors are a nautical branch of the military, they need to be at least decently close to water. Occasionally, Marines and Sailors will move once a year, depending on their MOS (Mode of Service). To them, it’s just a normal part of being in the military. For spouses, it’s a chaotic mess.
I know several people who grew up in the military, so moving every 2 years was a great way to make new friends, have new experiences, and learn new languages. I, however, did not grow up in the military. I have a brother that’s a Marine, and my grandpa was a Sailor back in WWII. My maternal grandparents were both Army. So I didn’t realize until I was in college that not everyone stays put their whole lives. And then I met my husband.
When Thomas and I met, he was an ROTC cadet finishing undergrad and I was working an internship for my master’s. We went on 1 date and it didn’t end well. Cut to 2 years later and I was living in Louisville, Kentucky, and he was deployed to Kuwait. We caught up on Facebook and I had actually planned a trip home to Southern Illinois to visit when he told me he would be home from deployment at that time, and we should get together for drinks. (Almost) 3 years later and we’ve been married for a little over a year and have moved to Phoenix. After deployment, Thomas went into the Army Reserves so he could get his MBA through the school where we met. Doing his program online, he could complete it from anywhere in the world, which was perfect since we moved here and he started working in finance–super demanding. I thought I knew what being a military wife was all about.
I was dead wrong.
Fortunately, we don’t PCS because Thomas isn’t active. He just picked up Captain, and he’s not sure if he wants to remain in the military. If he does stay in, I’m sure we’ll move a lot, and I’ll be on my own for a while if he’s deployed. I’m currently on day 2 of a 20-day annual training for him, where he had to go to El Paso to complete. It’s the first time we’ve been away from each other for military duties, and it’s really hard.
The point of my story is this: while we “knew” what we were getting into when we said “I do” to our Soldier/Marine/Sailor/Airman, we didn’t actually know. We wouldn’t know until we experienced it. In the military, you don’t actually get to make plans. You can try, but Murphy’s Law of the Military says that when you do, your spouse will be called for field training or a deployment. And, not only will they get called for something major, it’ll be as far away from you and the event as humanly possible. I’ve now been to several of my friends’ weddings alone because Thomas would get training orders.
Piece of advice #1 for military spouses–wing everything. Don’t even try and plan the birth of your child for when your spouse can be there because yeah, they’ll miss it.
What I’ve heard a lot from my friends that are married to the military (because you’re not really married to just your spouse. I really hate to tell you that.) that they wish they could do online classes for school. A lot of places may offer online programs, but they might not be realistic; they might be too expensive; they might be too demanding in consistency for the life of a military spouse. Oh, I have a final exam due? John just got orders to move us all to Japan, better email the instructor for an extension. Sometimes, instructors won’t grant extensions, even though you legitimately can’t help it. Just please don’t throw your spouse’s rank around like it’s yours.
Piece of advice #2 for military spouses–learn to have a filter. No matter your spouse’s rank or how well you’re doing in the class or how bad of a day you’ve had and now the commissary is taking forever, you’re still that Soldier/Marine/Sailor/Airman’s spouse and what you do and say can and will reflect negatively on them.
Now it can also reflect positively on your spouse. I don’t want anyone reading this to think I’m only about the negatives, but it’s something that needs to be said. Something I learned–if you’re respectful, people will respect you. I have used my dependent ID to get onto the BX here in Phoenix, and since my husband’s rank is listed, I get saluted. The first time I was REALLY confused. I couldn’t understand it. I get called ma’am as a sign of respect for the rank, even though it’s not MY rank. But I’m incredibly respectful of everyone around me (or I try to be), so I get respected in return. Apparently, it’s not like that with all spouses.
Again, there really is a point to all of this, and how it relates to Brighton College and The Paralegal Institute.
Because you’re a military spouse, you have enough challenges in just your personal life. Moving constantly, going (sometimes) long periods of time without your spouse, taking care of a house and kids and a job by yourself until they can come home…It’s hard. It takes super strong people to make a military marriage work. So you need a break. I’m not saying take a break from your responsibilities. But you deserve to do something for yourself. And I know some of you out there always wanted to go back to school, or finish a degree that you started, or just try something new. And we recognize all that you go through on a daily basis. You experience things that regular civilians don’t, like the constant fear during deployment of is he coming home? Will the next doorbell ring be a chaplain handing me a death notice? Will I hear the words “on behalf of a grateful nation…” and be handed a folded flag? These fears can be debilitating. And, if you’ve had to experience this, I am so sorry you had to go through that.
For those of us that put in the long hours with our spouses, and wash their ACU’s and help shine their dress shoes; for being moved across the country or across the world at a moment’s notice, or being alone for the birth of your child while your spouse is fighting for our freedom–we salute you as well for what you sacrifice being a spouse. That’s why Brighton College and The Paralegal Institute offer military spouses special discounts and programs to help you chase your dream while your spouse is chasing theirs.
All it takes is a phone call. Give us a call for more information on how we can help you succeed while your spouse succeeds. And remember: you’re not in this alone. By working with us, you’d be able to have extreme flexibility and support along the way, every step.
Do You Utilize Your Natural Talents?
Not many people are fully aware of their natural talents. Some people do well in athletics, while some are more musically inclined. We have some that can run numbers in their heads like a calculator, and some that can eyeball a tennis ball and tell you how many centimeters it is in diameter.
Are you feeling a little awkward because you’re not sure what you’re naturally gifted at? Well, luckily for you, all of at Brighton feel the same. So we are offering a FREE course to figure out your natural talent and do a video-based learning course on it.
http://www.elearningplanner.com/
This site is wonderful. I gave it a try, because, at the end of the day, my musical talent only takes me so far. So I took the questionnaire (it literally took me less than 2 minutes) and, surprise surprise, it said my natural talent was “rules.”
I have a serious love for following rules. While they can sometimes be restrictive and ambiguous, I find the process of working on anything goes so much smoother if rules are in place and followed. At times, I can “bend” the rules to get something done that I feel should be done but the rules are too restrictive. Those are times I call rules “guidelines.” I’m actually really excited to do my video-based class to learn how awesome I am because I like rules 🙂
Just like snowflakes, people are unique. Even identical twins. So your response may not be the same as mine. I’m very by-the-book, and I think that’s how I’ve been successful with my degrees. I hold a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree as well, and I had a *fairly* easy time with both degrees because I followed the rules. Once you know the rules, you can use them to your advantage.
So, are you a follower of rules? Are you a peace keeper? Take the little survey and let us know how you turn out to be! We look forward to working with you 🙂
Keep Learning!
Kait
What’s New At Brighton?
Hi everyone!
Brighton College has made a ton of changes lately!! Just a quick rundown:
Our new Student Financial Services Coordinator is Zeena. Zeena joined us almost 2 months ago and hit the ground running. Not only is she working with the financial side of the college, Zeena has been an invaluable resource to us when it comes to compliance, FERPA rules, and even some HIPPA rules that apply to our students. She has been an amazing addition to our staff and we are very lucky to have her.
We also have a new Student Services Coordinator–me! I’m Kaitlin, but I go by “Kait” mostly. In addition to working with our students to make sure they have everything they need and have all of their questions answered, I’m also the faculty liaison, making sure I keep the instructors caught up in their grading and act as a go-between for students and faculty alike to the administration. I am 100% in my students’ corners, working my hardest to make sure they succeed.
We are also working on unrolling A LOT of new changes, including a new platform called Talent that will (hopefully) make things much easier. We also have a new system of enrollment procedures and working with admissions and enrollment. We have our VP of Academics, Gilda, and she’s driven to make us the best TEAM we can be, and that starts with cohesion across all departments.
The programs that Brighton offers are constantly changing and evolving as we respond to our students’ surveys and experiences. Stay tuned for a FREE course we are offering to help you figure out your natural talent! 🙂
Keep Learning!
Kait
The Truth Behind New Year’s Resolutions
Is there a secret to keeping a resolution? Maybe not, but there are plenty of things that will help you keep on track while understanding why it can be so hard to achieve your goals.
Willpower is Limited
Your willpower is like a muscle, which means it can get exhausted. Strengthen it with small, consistent challenges.
Not Focused on the Journey
You can’t lose 10 pounds by not eating healthy and never working out. Turn the habit- not the result- into your goal instead.
You’re Indecisive
Making a resolution because it seems like a good idea won’t get you anywhere. Only set goals that you specifically want to achieve.
Peer Pressure
If your friends aren’t ambitious enough for their own resolutions, at least make sure they respect yours and don’t encourage cheating.
Remove Obstacles
Get rid of the things in your way. Give someone else all the sweets in your house. Take the batteries out of the remote.
Get Excited
Breaking bad habits and starting new ones is rough. Focus how great it will be when you achieve your goal.
New Year, new you? Only if you really want it! If 2016 is the year you want to train for a better job, The Paralegal Institute at Brighton College is here to help you prepare for a great career in the criminal justice industry. Contact us today!
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Brighton College and the International Union of Police Enter partnership
In an ongoing program to ensure that law enforcement personnel have opportunities to advance their careers by offering them expanded educational opportunities, the International Union of Police Associations has teamed up with Brighton College, a provider of online distance educational services.
Of particular interest to the I.U.P.A. are the associate degree and diploma programs in the paralegal and criminal justice fields. In announcing the partnership, a spokesperson for Brighton College said, “We believe that a strategic partnership with the International Union of Police Associations will be mutually beneficial to all parties involved as well as the law enforcement community.”
The partnership will include co-branding with the I.U.P.A. to increase the union’s exposure among the law enforcement community including a Newsletter/Blog Contributor to I.U.P.A. as well as providing an Education Partnership “micro-site” website to link the I.U.P.A. / BC partner updates, news, and upcoming events
The I.U.P.A., originally chartered in 1979,as the only AFL-CIO chartered labor union to exclusively represent law enforcement officers and other support personnel has aggressively pursued educational opportunities for its more than100,000 law enforcement personnel (one out of every four eligible) from line officers up to first line supervisors as well as civilian employees. International President Sam Cabral cited their most recent partnership saying, “We have always recognized that the quickest and best way to progress in a law enforcement career is for an officer to advance their education. This not only improves their performance in the field, but enhances their prospects for promotion. We are looking forward to this new and important partnership.”
The Paralegal Institute at Brighton College – A New Look
You may have noticed something different… We’ve completely redesigned our website! This new site was designed to bring a more modern look and feel, improve navigation, and give an overall better experience to you, our students and potential students, whether you’re viewing on a computer, tablet or mobile device. We want to offer you a quicker, easier way to find the information you’re looking for to help you make the best decision on which school is right for you.
We also wanted to give a more cohesive feel for our Paralegal site with the main Brighton College website. Now you’ll have instant access to all of the information you need whether you’re interested in our paralegal programs, business programs or allied health programs.
We hope you’ll be as excited about our new site as we are. We welcome any feedback that you have so that we can continue to give you the best experience possible!