Rochelle Dukes
Red Band, NJ
Boston University, Paralegal Certificate

Rochelle Dukes thought about becoming a paralegal for years, but she kept putting it off until her employer pushed her to move forward with the idea. Rochelle chose to earn her paralegal certificate from Boston University with help from The College Network® after researching the program and receiving recommendations from two of her co-workers who completed the program.

“I was nervous at first because, even though I have been in the legal field working as a paralegal without the certificate, there is a big difference between book knowledge and hands-on knowledge. It [had been] many years since I had to actually sit down and study, but once the nerves settled down, all was great,” Rochelle said.

Rochelle felt that the transition of going back to school as an adult was not too difficult due to the experience she had gained from her career in the legal field. “I have been in the field for many years, and [for] most of the assignments or courses, I was familiar with the technology or procedures; so there was balance between the courses that I actually knew and the ones that I had very little experience in,” she explained.

The convenience of being on her own schedule is what Rochelle liked best about Boston University’s online paralegal certificate program. “During the week I studied whenever I had a break during the day. I did a great deal of studying during the weekends when I had more time to concentrate,” Rochelle said.

“I cannot think of anything that I didn’t like about the program. I felt the instructors were great—always there to help. I never had a problem with the web site. The instructions were very well written for those that took the time to do the work,” Rochelle commented.

After delaying a return to school for so long, Rochelle is thankful she finally accomplished her goal. “I believe taking the paralegal courses, after procrastinating for so many years, was the best thing I could have done. I would recommend anyone to the program. No matter what your level of experience is, if any, this program is right for you.”

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