Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College and South Texas ISD have introduced their first Paralegal Assistant Apprenticeship program dedicated to providing students with real-world training and insight into the legal profession.
STC’s Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA) together with South Texas ISD’s World Scholars campus recently welcomed 10 students, currently juniors in high school to the apprenticeship program, which will give students the opportunity to partner with local law offices as they complete the program.
“I think this is a great opportunity for employers to really take a look at what STC has to offer because the college goes way beyond offering certificates or degrees, we also offer valuable workforce training,” said Carlos Margo, Ed.D., dean of Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships. “There are workforce certifications, trainings and short-term credentialing programs that are all extremely state-of-the-art, and which stem from over 20 years and millions of dollars in grant money that has allowed us to develop the proper infrastructure, capacity, equipment and resources to create apprenticeships just like this one.”
Over the next two years, the students will take four specialized courses designed to equip them with the right skills and knowledge to get them started in a legal profession. Upon completing the program, the students will earn certificates of completion, which they will receive before even graduating high school.
“We are honored to be partnering with South Texas College in order to provide this paralegal apprenticeship, which will have students studying and working in law offices to gain really valuable experience,” said Teresa Jasso, legal studies instructor with World Scholars. “This has been created for students who will be future attorneys, legal professionals and maybe even for those who are looking to one day shape policy. It’s a big step in their futures.”
Delilah Sanchez, 16, a student at World Scholars said the apprenticeship is crucial as she plans out her future career in law. By working in law offices as an apprentice while still in high school, Sanchez hopes that this could lead to more permanent opportunities by the time she graduates.
“I’m hoping I do really good at my job so I can remain a paralegal during the first couple of years of college, because I’m going to stay here for the first four years at UTRGV and then hopefully transfer to St. Mary’s University so I can continue my law degree,” Sanchez said. “I have a vast interest in law and the court system. It’s challenging, but by working in this field you realize how the choices you make on the job affect people’s lives.”
Another World Scholars student, Miguel Bravo, 16, believes that among the most important aspects he has been coached on, from the outset, was understanding the work ethic needed to thrive in the law profession.
“I find it all very fascinating. From researching case law, to learning about the ethics of this profession and the office hierarchy, this has been a one-of-a-kind experience so far,” Bravo said. “This has been a great opportunity to get myself on the map, especially with a certification that I hope to receive at the end.”
CATA at STC specializes in creating customized training programs as well as workforce development services to support various industries. The result is a vast menu that consists of hundreds of training opportunities through partnerships like the one available through South Texas ISD.
For more information on STC’s Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships visit
https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cata/.
