Professional Job Search course being offered in the Fall I term of SMC Paralegal Program

08/17/11

The Paralegal Certificate Program at Spartanburg Methodist College is currently registering students, and the general public, for their Fall I term, which will begin on Tuesday evening, September 13th. 

 

According to Yvonne Harper, Director of the SMC Paralegal Certificate Program, "The Professional Job Search course is one of our most popular courses with our paralegal students but the information that will be presented is equally applicable to the general public who are seeking any type of employment."

 

"There are about 8 million employers in the US with over 120 million on the payroll.  Every year, 3 million people begin looking for jobs.  Some are looking for their very first jobs.  Others are looking to replace jobs they lost.  So as you can clearly see, there is competition, but sadly most job hunters are not very organized or prepared.  We teach our students how to outsmart the competition by selling themselves and moving ahead of the competition. We only offer this course once a year, and always have a waiting list of folks wanting to sign up due to the quality of instruction," explained Harper

 

Lisa Stephens, the Director of Human Resources for Norgenix Pharmaceuticals, LLC, who is a 2005 graduate of the SMC Paralegal Program, will be the instructor for the Job Search course.  During the 10 week course students will gain knowledge of the marketplace, be  provided the "how to's" on resume writing, Internet searches, interviews, evaluating and negotiating job offers, follow-up letters, and managing the first 100 days of the new job, etc.

 

Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and run for 10 weeks beginning September 13 ending November 17.    In addition to Thursday night's Professional Job Search course, Communications for the Legal Office will also be offered.  Advanced Legal Research and Writing as well as Introduction to Paralegal Studies will be offered on Tuesday evenings.

 

Tuition is $300 per course.  The college accepts check, cash, money order, Visa or MasterCard, and payments plans are available.  Individuals may also audit a course for $150.  To learn more or to register for classes, please visit www.smcsc.edu/paralegal .

 

The SMC Paralegal Certificate Program consists of twenty (20) courses, offered in ten (10) terms, with each term lasting ten (10) weeks.  Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 9:00 PM.  Students may choose to take one (1) or two (2) courses during a term.

 

The following individuals serve on the SMC Paralegal Certificate Advisory Committee:

 

Barry Barnette - 7^th Circuit Solicitor Spartanburg County

Robert M. Barrett - Attorney, Holcombe, Bomar, Gunn & Bradford, P.A. B.A. Barrett is also the son of former

            SMC President, Dr. James S. Barrett.  

Ponda Caldwell - Judge of Probate, Spartanburg County Probate Court

Isaac Dickson - The Hiring Authority

Mary Miranda Hugues - Paralegal, Allen C. Ladd Law Firm

Rhonda Mitchell - Paralegal, Holcombe, Bomar, Gunn & Bradford, P.A.

Liz J. Patterson, Founder of Converse College PLA Program, former U.S. House member and a member of   the SMC Board of Trustees

Roxanne Reynolds, CPLS - Paralegal with Holcombe, Bomar, Gunn and Bradford, P.A.

Toria Richardson - Real Estate Paralegal, Lister, Flynn & Kelly, P.A.

Albert V. Smith - Attorney

Kristin Starnes Gray, Senior Associate with Ford and Harrison, LLP

Lisa Stephens - HR Coordinator, Norgenix Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Fletcher D. Thompson, Attorney, retired FBI Special Agent, and former member of the SMC Board of

            Trustees

Chuck Wright - Spartanburg County Sheriff

 

Approximately half of all paralegals are involved in civil litigation, where they assist attorneys in preparing for trial.  Other paralegals do research, draft legal documents, and assist attorneys with financial and corporate transactions. In addition to being employed in law offices, paralegals are hired to work in areas such as corporations, banks, hospitals, colleges and universities, insurance firms, government agencies, real estate companies, trust and estate administration, property management, and commercial lending.   For more information, please contact Yvonne Harper at 864-587-4278, 266-7409 or harpery@smcsc.edu.

 

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 100th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment.