What, exactly, is a paralegal, and how does one become one?

Most firms prob. don’t care what your degree’s in. They’re just happy you know how to read. But, if you do decide to take the 2 year program, just go an extra year and get the law degree. It’s a lot more cost efficient.

Does QA Test Engineer mean you’ve been working in a technology company? You might want to look into becoming a patent paralegal (e.g., a docket clerk or foreign filing administrator). They get paid significantly better than other paralegals, because of scarcity. You might have trouble breaking into the business with no training, though - I don’t know exactly how you’d go about it. Don’t bother with the certificate if you decide to go this route - you would never do one thing that you learn during the program.

Thinking aloud here - maybe you should look for a firm with a smallish patent department with overworked paralegals, and see if they’d hire you as a general assistant. Then learn the ropes on the job, and either convince them to promote you or go to another firm.