Here are some frequently asked questions about the internship course.
What is the purpose of a paralegal internship course?
The purpose of a paralegal internship course is to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in a legal setting, allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their academic studies to real-world situations. It offers an opportunity to work under the supervision of experienced legal professionals, gaining insight into the day-to-day operations of a law firm, government agency, or corporate legal department.
I want to intern next semester, what do I need to do to enroll in PLGL 251?
We are so glad you are interested in interning as a paralegal studies student and you are thinking at least a semester ahead! You will not be able to enroll in PLGL 251 until you have completed some first steps in securing an internship. Assuming that you have completed the pre-requisites and co-requisites, the first thing you will want to do is prepare your resume and cover letter so that it can be submitted to an internship site. You need to meet with a Career Advisor and get your documents approved in writing from the Career Advisor that your documents are ready to be sent to law firms and offices. You can reach out to Career Services at careerservices@hacc.edu or through Navigate at https://hacc.navigate.eab.com/app/#/authentication/remote/ to set up an appointment and get started.
Once you have your resume and cover letter approved, if you need help finding a place to intern, you will want to meet with Kathleen Carusone, HACC's internship coordinator. Kathleen can be reached at kdcaruso@hacc.edu.
Once you have your list of possible places to intern, send your cover letter and resume to these places. If you need further assistance in crafting your email attaching these documents, please reach out to Career Services. They can even help you practice interviewing! Please lean in and get the support you need so that you represent yourself well in the interviews and also can assess whether this possible internship site is a good match for you.
Once you have selected an internship site, you will want to email Professor Makosky (amakosky@hacc.edu) with the name of the internship site, the supervising attorney, the mailing address, the phone number of the office, and an email address for the supervising attorney. Professor Makosky will then send a letter with some forms to complete to the supervising attorney. She will need to assess that the internship site has enough paralegal type work for you to meet your 200 hours requirement for this course. If the site is approved, she will submit a registration override and you can enroll in PLGL 251.
As you can see, there is quite a bit of front end work before you begin your internship, but we promise you that this effort is worth it. You will be gaining important work skills and beginning to develop a network of professionals. Many of our interns are even offered full time positions from their internships.
What are the typical responsibilities of a paralegal intern?
The responsibilities of a paralegal intern may vary depending on the internship placement and the needs of the supervising attorney or organization. However, common tasks may include legal research, drafting legal documents, assisting with case preparation, conducting client interviews, and administrative support duties such as file management and scheduling.
How many hours do I need to intern to receive academic credit?
Students must work a minimum of 200 hours and at least half of their hours must be paralegal in nature.
Can I do a remote internship?
We appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to gaining practical experience in the legal field. While we understand your preference for remote work, our program currently requires interns to receive supervision and engage in in-person work to ensure the highest quality of learning and mentorship. Working directly with legal professionals in a physical environment provides invaluable opportunities for hands-on experience, mentorship, and networking that are integral to your development as a paralegal.
Will I be paid for my internship?
While some internships may offer compensation or stipends, many paralegal internships are unpaid. The primary goal of an internship is to gain valuable experience and exposure to the legal profession. However, it's important to consider factors such as transportation costs and time commitments when evaluating internship opportunities.
I am not sure how to complete the Daily Logs. Can you explain what you want?
Sure! There are some examples of how students have completed their daily logs if you look under the Course Calendar and Assignments tab. There also will be some examples in the course syllabus. Essentially, your log is like a diary. You want to include what you did and what you observed during your work day. If you have recorded 7 hours of time, you should have more than one activity listed for the day. Then you want to reflect on your activities. What did you learn? What skills would you like to develop? What surprised you about this activity? What other reflections do you have about your experiences for the day?
How can I make the most of my internship experience?
To make the most of your internship experience, approach it with a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic. Take initiative, ask questions, and seek feedback from your supervising attorney or mentor. Use the opportunity to observe and learn from experienced professionals, network with colleagues in the legal field, and build valuable skills and relationships that can benefit your future career as a paralegal.
I already work in a law office. Can I use my job as my internship and earn credit?
Yes. You may complete your internship at your current law office if and only if all internship requirements are met before the end of the semester prior to your internship. Working in a law office does not automatically qualify you for PLGL 251 or PLGL 252, and it does not allow you to begin the process at the last minute.
To earn internship credit, you must still:
• Meet with Career Services during the prior semester and obtain written approval of your resume and cover letter
• Submit your list of potential internship sites (including your current employer, if applicable) to Professor Makosky before the last day of classes of prior semester.
• Receive permission before contacting or confirming any internship placement
• Provide full supervisor information and obtain confirmation from the supervising attorney
• Complete all required forms and course assignments
Your current employer must also agree to provide substantive paralegal work, supervision by an attorney, and all required evaluations.
If any of these steps are not completed before the end of the prior semester, you will not be permitted to register for the internship course, even if you already work in a law office.
Can I start the internship process during winter break or the week classes begin?
No. The internship placement process must be completed before the last day of classes of the prior semester. The college is closed during breaks, and faculty are not available to review placements or override registration.