The Internet has a wealth of information about being a paralegal. Not all of the information is reliable, however, so be careful which sites you visit. Some of the best websites follow.

• The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistants (SCOLA)

  The ABA maintains a website dedicated to paralegal education issues. The site includes a listing of ABA approved paralegal education programs, a newsletter, and paralegal career information. The information on this site is intended primarily for lawyers and paralegal educators.

• National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

  The NFPA website is devoted to information helpful to its members. If you are looking for practicing paralegals in your area, the NFPA site includes a listing of member associations by region. The Career Center provides links to articles addressing project management, networking, job searches, and how to ask for a raise.

• National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

  The NALA website contains general information about the NALA and about the paralegal career field. Under the Articles of Interest link are descriptions of court decisions and ethical rulings concerning the rights and obligations of paralegals. The current NALA Compensation and Utilization Survey can be purchased from this site.

• American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)

  This site, designed exclusively for paralegal educators, contains a wealth of information for the budding paralegal. Topics addressed on this site include a discussion of “what is a paralegal,” information on Agape's criteria for a quality paralegal education program, and the history of paralegals.

• Paralegal Today magazine

  Paralegal Today is an independent magazine that addresses the concerns of practicing paralegals. Its website includes articles from the current and archived issues. There is also a listing of paralegal schools that appears to be advertisement-based.

• International Paralegal Management Association (IPMA)

  The IPMA is an organization intended for the benefit of paralegal managers and supervisors. The site includes a job bank that lists paralegal openings across the country. These opening are often a good source of information on the duties of a paralegal in specific fields. There is also a section on how to find a job as a paralegal.