Choosing a career requires you to be completely conversant with the various factors that affect the said career. These factors give you an idea of what your career is expected to be like in the future, which helps you to decide if it is a good fit or not. This article features and compares the job outlook of two of some of the most sought after careers: doctor and paralegal careers.
Paralegal
Paralegals, also referred to as legal assistants, are individuals who are trained to assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. They perform important services such as preparing closing arguments, legal hearings, arranging trial strategies, client meetings, evaluation of facts in a case, researching laws, legal decision and other relevant literature that might be important to legal cases.
Certification
A person can become a paralegal by either obtaining a certificate or degree in paralegal courses. Most people become paralegals through associate’s degree programs in paralegal studies. However, if you already have a degree in another course, you can become a paralegal by simply obtaining a certificate. Bachelor and master’s programs are also offered by a number of colleges.
Salary
Salaries for paralegals are determined through a number of factors, which include the level of education, experience, geographic location and the environment of practice. The average paralegal salary, according to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, is $50,496. 25% of paralegals earn below $40,000, while 25% earn above $60,000.
Demand and expected growth
Paralegal career is one of the most sought after jobs in America. Demand of paralegals is very high, and job opportunities have constantly been increasing since the 1960s. As of 2009, there were approximately 246,810 employed paralegals. Most of these were in law firms, local, state and federal government and in legal departments of firms, organizations and corporations. Employment of paralegals is projected to grow at a higher rate than most other occupation, especially due to increase demand of legal services.
Doctors
Doctors form one of the most popular jobs in America. The fact that there are numerous fields in the healthcare industry for doctors is a great advantage. Some of the fields you can pursue as a doctor include: physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, general doctor, general surgeon, neurosurgeon, etc. Becoming a doctor is a rather long process, which can take 12 to 16 years from the time you enter the education system to the time you start practicing
Demand and projected growth
Doctors are one of the most demanded professionals in America. The numerous fields for doctors in the healthcare industry combined with the continued expansion of the industry and the increasing demand for health services has led to a consistent growth in job opportunities. Most of the doctors are employed in hospitals and pharmaceutical industries. There also doctors who practice privately. Doctors can also be employed in other areas, for example, military.
Employment opportunities for doctors is expected to grow at a faster than average rate in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is projected to create approximately 5.7 million jobs between 2010 and 2020. This growth will be attributed to the continued expansion of the healthcare industry and the increasing demand for health services.