Top
10 Reasons Why Certification Isn't For Me – Or
Is It?
by
Ruth M. Schaub, PP, PLS
1.
I already make too much money and I enjoy having a
tight budget, clipping coupons, and buying all my clothing
from consignment shops. Even Donald Trump
wants to make more money. Unfortunately, most employees
go to work, only do what is asked of them and no more,
and then go home. Few employees work hard to become
more valuable to their employers. Bosses reward employees
who are exceptional. By “maximizing your potential”
through increased education, you will maximize your earning
potential as well.
2.
My boss would never retire before me, my firm will
never downsize, my job will be here as long as I want
it, and I will have this job forever. Are
you confident that your current job is the one you
will have when you retire? Every day we hear about
another company filing bankruptcy, moving to another
city, or facing massive layoffs. If your firm has to
make tough staffing decisions, you want to be sure
your name is not considered for elimination. Certification
will set you apart from others. Education opens the
door to endless possibilities.
3.
My boss won’t care if I never improve and won’t
notice if I do. Employers notice knowledge
and efficiency. Employers care if their staff understands
ethics and legal terms and procedures. Even the busiest
employer notices professional legal writing, skills,
and efficiency. Bosses care that things are done correctly
and in a timely manner by employees who care enough
to do things the right way. Employers notice—and
they do care.
4.
I enjoy the same old grind every day, and if I pass,
my boss will probably expect more of me. It
is true that we become very comfortable with our routines,
but law is ever changing and things DO NOT stay the
same. The charter members of many chapters began their
careers with manual typewriters, carbon paper, and
mimeograph machines. Today everything is computerized,
E-filed, and sent FedEx. Tasks once performed by associates
are now done by paralegals. The day of one lawyer for
one staff person is over. If you become certified,
your boss will probably expect more from you, but,
as the demand to get more work done with less staff
increases, your boss will probably expect more from
you anyway. If you attend a study group and become
certified, you will be able to meet those demands.
5.
My family can’t do anything without me. If
that is the case—then sister, it is time that
you joined a study group and that your family learned
how much they can do for themselves. As wives and mothers,
we find time to bake cookies for the PTA and attend
soccer games. We make time to
“watch” football with our spouses. We give
and give and give—but we never make time to improve
our job skills. We owe it to ourselves and our families
to be the best possible employee we can be. Do this for
yourself. Your family won’t fall apart if you commit
to certification, and they might learn independence.
6.
I can’t see how it would benefit me. We work
in a competitive world and in a competitive profession. We
must move ahead or be left behind. Certification will
show an employer you have the skills necessary to get
the job done right. Several states are considering
mandatory certification or licensing for paralegals
whose time is to be billed. Certification now may put
you ahead of the game if certification becomes mandatory.
As an added bonus, if you become certified you get
to use some pretty cool initials behind your name.
7.
I am afraid of failing so I only attempt things that
I am sure I will succeed at. If that were
true, you would never interview for a job, enter into
a relationship, have children, or drive a car. If you
are afraid of failing, you picked the wrong profession!
Every day we are faced with obstacles we are not sure
we can overcome; yet every day we get out of bed and
conquer whatever life hands us. So what if you fail—at
least you will have learned something you didn’t
know before you began. To date 8,006 have achieved
certification. Knowledge is power that lasts forever.
Don’t sell yourself short before you even begin.
What if you succeed?
8.
I am too old. Rubbish. Did you know the median
age of a college freshman is 36? Did you know it took
some members of this association 30 years to earn their
associate degree? Every year people in their 80s and
90s graduate from college, get married, and learn to
sky dive. You never stop learning in life—and
you are never too old to improve or take a risk. Who
knows, you might even teach the younger members a thing
or two.
9.
I am too new. That is why NALS offers 3 different
certifications. The ALS exam is perfect for those who
are new to the legal profession or feeling just a bit
overwhelmed. The ALS exam will help you develop the
basic skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective
legal professional. The PLS exam is for those with
three or more years of experience. Studying for this
comprehensive exam will sharpen your grammar skills,
teach you the proper citation formats, increase your
legal terminology, and equip you with the skills to
become one of the best legal professionals in your
area. Many who have mastered the PLS exam become regarded
as irreplaceable. The Professional Paralegal exam is
for those with five or more years of legal experience
who have been performing advanced paralegal tasks under
the supervision of an attorney that require independent
judgment and a high skill level. There is an exam for
every legal professional. One of them is sure to fit
you.
10.
No one ever asked me about certification. You
no longer have that excuse. I am asking you to take
the plunge. Go online and participate in free learning.
Join a local chapter study group or the study group
of another chapter. If your chapter does not have a
study group and you don’t know where to get help,
the Resource Center is here to help you find that help.
The time is now.
Unwrap the gift of education and see what NALS
has to offer.
Become the best you can be.
