For paralegals looking for a job now, local paralegal associations provide a starting point to build relationships with other members of the profession. The more contacts you have, the more people know you, the more opportunities you will have, not only in terms of finding your next position, but also in terms of having a sounding board and receiving input for your thinking and approach regarding your efforts. Copyright © 2012 Legaco LLC. All rights reserved. Permission required for reproduction. Contact us for permission to reproduce.

1. Published on Legaco Express (http://www.legaco.org)
Paralegal Associations and The Secrets of Networking Success
According to the best selling author Susan RoAne, ?networking is a long-term process by
which we share ideas, leads, information, contacts, advice, and support that's mutually
beneficial.?
?? Networking through professional paralegal associations ??
Human beings are gregarious and tend to associate with others who are like them.
In addition to opportunities for participating in social and benevolent organizations, every
profession has groups that its members can join and that provide additional options for
congregating with peers.
Paralegals are no exception to this trait, with virtually every state and large city hosting at least
one paralegal association!
?? Opportunities for every job search and career move ??
For paralegals looking for a job now, local paralegal associations provide a starting point to build
relationships with other members of the profession.
The more contacts you have, the more people know you, the more opportunities you will
have, not only in terms of finding your next position, but also in terms of having a
sounding board and receiving input for your thinking and approach regarding your
efforts.
For example, panel discussions organized by paralegal associations are a great way to network
successfully.
First, it can give you ideas about what could be your next career move by learning about a
new trend in law or the paralegal profession.
Second, it gives you a chance to meet with lawyers or paralegal managers face-to-face.
If you like a presentation, you can walk up to the presenters at the end of the presentation, talk
with them, and follow up later. When someone comes to an event to talk, it is usually because
they want to give back and you can be the person they give back to!
Besides, recruiters often attend these events, so it can be a good time to talk to them, too.

2. ?? Networking and continuing education for paralegals??
That role, particularly as it relates to the transmission of professional standards, goals, and
values, has gained in significance as a result of changes in professional training and in society
during the last decades.
Although paralegal education formerly was accomplished through apprenticeships where
training in substantive law, practice skills, and professional values were integrated, today it is
usually segmented into paralegal school and on-the-job training.
Paralegal schools teach legal writing, convey general technical knowledge and
information about the profession, and provide some notice of professional
values and ethics. But paralegal schools only begin the creation of a professional.
Economic changes have resulted in an increase in the variety of tasks that paralegals perfom
and a growing competition between paralegals and young associates for interesting
assignments. The crisis of these past years has also reinforced the trend toward specialization.
These factors make it more difficult for new paralegals to obtain on the job training from
more experienced paralegals within their law firm or legal department. And if training is
given, it is more than likely it will be practical and directed toward the completion of tasks that will
increase partners' income!
The result is that, although social science studies have shown that
success in a professional "role" requires knowledge of the profession's goals and values, it is
unlikely that these subjects are afforded much discussion in
moderm law offices.1
?? Paralegals asociations could be the answer??
That's why networking through local or national paralegal associations has become more
important than ever.
By networking with your peers, you are learning from more experienced paralegals appropriate
role behaviors, developing your work skills and abilities, and adjusting to your professional
group's norms and values.
These associations are now the place where education and on-the-job training can be
integrated in a practical way.
Learn more:
1 Georgia T Chao et al., OrganizationalSocialization: Its Content and Consequences, 79
J.Applied Psychol. 730, 741 (1994) (finding that those individuals who became better socialized
about the occupation's goals and values showed more positive changes in their performance,
attitude, adaptability, and sense of identity, and tended to be more successful in their work).
Susan RoAne, Let's talk about Networking, 32 Student Law. 26 (2004).

3. Judith Kilpatrick, Specialty Lawyer Associations: Their Role in the Socialization Process, 3 Gonz.
L. Rev. 501 (1998).
Chere Estrin, Paralegal Career Guide (3rd Ed 2001).
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