"I gave deliberate thought today to the future I wanted tomorrow. So in obtaining my Paralegal/Legal Assistant certificate from Blackstone Career Institute, I was dedicated to let time serve me, instead of just sitting here serving time. My experience was very special, and Blackstone's professionalism was superb. They helped with my recidivism journey, provided support, encouragement and practical assistance whenever help was needed. With the knowledge and foundation, I've learned from Blackstone, combined with my associates degree, bachelor’s degree and currently working on my master's degree, the future is looking optimistic. Once I understood that rock bottom was a decision that's the moment, I decided to stop failing and take control of my life. My future is to finish my master's and doctorate while working in the mental health field. Also building a consulting non-profit pertaining to prison consultants, prison reform, and animal law. I know if I continue to mold myself that will be one of my greatest accomplishments. Life is learning. Overcoming ignorance is the whole point of the journey. We're not supposed to know at the beginning. The whole point of venturing into uncertainty is to bring light to the darkness of key differences - in school we get the lesson, and we take the test. But in life, we get the test and it's our job to take the lesson."

"Blackstone Career Institute Paralegal Certificate Program is a great place to start for someone who has an interest in a career involving law. No matter what type of law work that is. This program teaches information for prospective paralegals that is helpful no matter what jurisdiction your career takes you to because the course material doesn't focus on specific state laws or local laws but will point out where state and/or local law is applicable in whatever subject of law is being covered. Speaking of subjects of law, the paralegal program covers such a diverse spread of law helpful for someone who is interested in law or the paralegal profession including but not limited to criminal law, property law, wills and trusts, constitutional law, partnerships and corporation law and legal researching and writing. The Blackstone staff help you throughout the program and do everything they can to help you graduate while making sure you receive a great education. My experience with Blackstone Career Institutes' Paralegal Program was great! My Blackstone Career Institute transcript even transferred to my local community college and counted as all of my elective credits towards my associates degree!"

" I began my Blackstone studies wanting to gain knowledge of the law, feeling powerless in the legal system. The classes taught me a great deal and motivated me to pursue a career in law. I plan to work as a paralegal upon release, with the hope of attending law school. I’ve stopped focusing on all the reasons why I can’t or shouldn’t, and now I ask myself, “Why not?"
Blackstone has made me more confident, improved my self-esteem, and strengthened my belief in my abilities. All of my expectations have been exceeded—money well spent. I couldn’t be happier with Blackstone."

"Like many of my colleagues, my study of law began when I found myself on the wrong side of the fence. Having been adjudicated and settled in for the foreseeable future, I felt lost when it came to navigating the legal system, despite my intimate experience with it. A bit over a year into my sentence, the facility’s law librarian asked me to move from my role as lead cook to a library assistant. Though my “outside” career had always been in kitchens, I welcomed the change and the opportunity to be around books. Early in my tenure at the law library, I realized how much I didn’t know about legal processes, procedures, and remedies. With the support of my family, I explored paralegal programs that could accommodate the constraints of prison life. Blackstone stood out as both rigorous and flexible. When I received the materials, I immediately noticed the care in the program’s structure—elements like envelopes and duplicate test sheets, though small, are crucial in an environment where resources are limited. Communications with Blackstone were effortless, and allowing an outside advocate to handle details minimized frustrations. As I worked through the material, I was able to apply what I learned to my daily library duties. The research tools, legal writing techniques, and content construction were immediately valuable. I also completed an additional course in Interviewing and Investigation, which further enhanced my ability to serve both my own needs and those of visitors to the library. Moving forward, I plan to leverage this preparation to secure employment and share my knowledge to help others, much as I wish I had support in the past. Drawn to the nonprofit sector, I hope to join a legal aid-style organization, combining purpose and meaning in the next chapter of my life."

"It came a point during my incarceration in 2024 that I realized if I wanted better in life, I had to lay a foundation built on faith, ambition, motivation, and dedication. I committed to striving for any goal I set, regardless of my circumstances. I transformed my environment—mentally turning what could be seen as captivity into my library, gym, dojo, and more—disregarding the feelings of being trapped or limited. I enrolled in Blackstone’s Paralegal Course as an educational endeavor, but learning the origins, structure, and nature of our laws inspired me to dive deeper. Receiving my exam grades and seeing my understanding reflected in them motivated me to complete the course with distinction. This accomplishment gave me confidence, respect, and recognition from family, friends, correctional staff, teachers, and legal professionals. I use the knowledge I gained to assist attorneys working on my legal matters and have earned several additional certificates that count toward my bachelor’s degree. I plan to pursue law school with the goal of becoming a United States District Attorney and continuing on to a master’s and PhD. Advanced courses in criminal law and personal injury/torts have broadened my understanding of different sectors of law and provided exciting challenges. I plan to complete all advanced paralegal courses and any other law courses Blackstone offers. We all face adversities, and some live under unbearable conditions, yet schools like Blackstone Career Institute provide opportunities—even to those incarcerated—to grow and achieve greatness. They plant seeds that inspire limitless potential. Blackstone and its dedicated staff have planted such a seed within me, and I am forever thankful."