From Classroom to Social Media to Cruise Ship? New Ways to Learn.
May 8, 2025
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Linda McGrath-Cruz, a paralegal veteran with 28 years of experience and the founder of Perfectly Paralegal, shares her insights on balancing education and fun in the paralegal field. She discusses unique continuing education opportunities aboard cruise ships, merging networking with leisure. Linda explains how her experiences have shaped practical teaching methods, highlighting community support among paralegals. She emphasizes the importance of innovative learning paths and personal branding for career advancement, making paralegal education both engaging and effective.
Linda McGrath-Cruz emphasizes the importance of hands-on training in paralegal education to enhance job readiness and career growth.
The Perfectly Paralegal community provides vital resources and peer support, fostering collaboration and mentorship among paralegal professionals nationwide.
The Paralegals Navigating Perilous Waters cruise combines professional development with leisure, offering a unique environment for networking and learning while sailing.
Deep dives
Linda McGrath-Cruz's Paralegal Journey
Linda McGrath-Cruz has extensive experience as a paralegal, having spent 28 years working primarily in medical malpractice and personal injury defense. Her notable position as an in-house paralegal for Royal Caribbean focused on risk management, demonstrating her diverse skills in the legal field. Transitioning from practical work, she is now the program coordinator and full-time faculty member for a new associate's degree in paralegal studies at St. John's River State College in Florida. Linda's passion for education and mentorship shines through as she integrates her real-world experience into the curriculum.
The Importance of Education in the Paralegal Profession
Education is emphasized as a pivotal aspect of a paralegal's career growth, with many paralegals facing challenges regarding experience requirements. The episode discusses the significance of hands-on training in legal programs, highlighting how practical skills like e-filing and trial preparation are essential for job readiness. Linda underscores the need for paralegals to take active roles in their job searches, encouraging them to pursue jobs confidently and embrace opportunities for professional development. By fostering a proactive approach, paralegals can enhance their employability and expertise in the field.
Building a Supportive Paralegal Community
Linda has cultivated a prolific social media presence through her group, Perfectly Paralegal, which boasts over 31,000 members. This platform allows paralegals from various backgrounds to share experiences, resources, and advice, fostering a supportive community where novices and veterans alike can seek guidance. The group covers diverse practice areas and includes sub-groups for fitness, hobbies, and networking, creating a holistic approach to the paralegal profession. Engagement in this community emphasizes that paralegals are never alone in their challenges and can always find support from peers.
The Perfectly Paralegal Cruise Experience
The Perfectly Paralegal Cruise combines professional development with a unique vacation experience, serving as a paralegal conference at sea. Linda discusses various CLE sessions held onboard, including innovative classes that encourage creativity and foster networking among attendees. The upcoming 2026 cruise highlights opportunities for learning, sharing knowledge, and enjoying leisure activities, appealing to both seasoned and new paralegals. This event exemplifies how educational events can be engaging and enjoyable while providing essential credits valuable to advancing a paralegal’s career.
Empowering Future Paralegals Through Interactive Learning
Linda's approach to teaching emphasizes practical knowledge and real-world applications, preparing her students for challenges they will face in their careers. By inviting expert guest speakers and offering hands-on experiences, the program aims to equip students with valuable skills beyond textbook theories. Linda believes in empowering students to see themselves as active contributors in their career paths, encouraging them to take ownership of their professional development. Her commitment to enhancing the paralegal field reflects a broader mission of fostering capable and confident legal professionals.
Guest Linda McGrath-Cruz worked as a paralegal professional in private practice and in-house (including Royal Caribbean) for 28 years, and she’s a leader for the Paralegal Navigating Perilous Waters cruise, a CLE paralegal conference that takes place on a cruise ship (how cool is that?).
She is currently the program coordinator and a full-time faculty member in the paralegal program at St. Johns River State College in Florida, a hands-on, real-life program that helps students get jobs and then get the job done. She is also the founder and leader of the social media program Perfectly Paralegal, a community that offers resources, support, and continuing education to paralegal professionals nationwide.
We all need NALA continuing ed credits, but why not make it a family vacation on a cruise ship? Courses on the Perilous Waters cruise are arranged to provide both credits but also leave time for networking, sharing tips, and having fun. Make it a family trip, a friends group outing, or a company event. Learn while you sail.
Whether it’s in the classroom or on the high seas, McGrath-Cruz is dedicated to sharing what she’s learned with practical teachings that make you better and advance your career. Get excited and get involved.
