7 answers
Apoorva
Student
San Ramon, California
1
Question
Asked
1091 views
What are resources for students interested in law?
Hello! I am a 13 year old and I am interested in becoming a lawyer when I am older. I am not exactly sure what type of lawyer but maybe a criminal or immigration lawyer. I really want to be a lawyer, but I don't know any resources for myself (13 y/o). Does anyone know of any resources such as virtual camps and webinars I could use for helping me come closer to my goal? Other types of resources are fine too. #lawyer
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7 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Apoorva if you like to plan ahead, and your dream is to pursue a law career down the road, there are some key choices you can make now to bring your dream to fruition even before high school.
IMPROVE ON YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS
COMMUNICATION IS KEY – You’ll need to speak or write clearly and with conviction. Many lawyers majored in English as undergraduates. Start now by reading a lot, even outside of school assignments. It is impossible to overstate the importance of developing strong writing skills. Treat writing assignments, regardless of the subject, as opportunities to strengthen build communication skills for a law career. The research required for many writing assignments will further augment your skill set. Get in the habit of frequent reading. The more you read, the better your reading comprehension can become. Law school requires a large amount of reading as part of the coursework. Some students benefit from learning to speed read in order to master their assignments.
LEARN TO LISTEN – The legal profession isn’t all about talking; it’s also about listening. Listening is an easy skill to practice in all areas of your life, from academic to social. Developing these skills to listen effectively is the key to a successful mediation, to frame the issues, keep your client informed, and advocate your client’s position.
GAIN PROSPECTIVE – You might have relatives or family friends you can start with. You might have relatives or family friends you can start with. If you don’t know anyone, ask your teachers if they can help with any introductions. Many legal professionals will be flattered that you want to hear their thoughts and will happy to speak to you. Just remember to show them respect and thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to help.
STAY ON COURSE – Organization is a required skill for law students and lawyers. You might as well develop it now. Start a law school file. In your file, you should keep everything relating to law school so that you don’t have to do the same work twice. You should create folders for your undergraduate information, for each law school you plan to apply to, and for general information relating to law school. Later on, you will add folders for your resume, your letters of recommendation, and other documentation you'll need latter for your pursuit in a law career
KEEP IT LIGHT – Pursuing a law career means you’re going to be attending school for a long time. If you don’t enjoy yourself, you’ll burn out. Just make sure you’re well-rounded and take classes that challenge you in the positive sense for now. It's admirable that you're motivated enough to plan ahead for more than ten years into the future, remember that you can't just skip ahead and get to law school. Concentrate on having a little fun with your friends, family, hobbies and school right now.
I wish you the best of luck in your high school, college and your law pursuits Apoorva. Even if you’re still deciding what you want to do when you get older, you’re taking an important step by exploring the options. Preparing for a law career will also prepare you for your academic and success in life.
Read, Read, Read. Lawyers need to be well-versed in our constitution and the legal system.
Develop Good Study Habits Now. Solid study habit will be benifical during High School, College and Law School.
Getting good grades demonstrates determination, intelligence, and willingness to work hard, all of which are required for success in law school.
IMPROVE ON YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS
COMMUNICATION IS KEY – You’ll need to speak or write clearly and with conviction. Many lawyers majored in English as undergraduates. Start now by reading a lot, even outside of school assignments. It is impossible to overstate the importance of developing strong writing skills. Treat writing assignments, regardless of the subject, as opportunities to strengthen build communication skills for a law career. The research required for many writing assignments will further augment your skill set. Get in the habit of frequent reading. The more you read, the better your reading comprehension can become. Law school requires a large amount of reading as part of the coursework. Some students benefit from learning to speed read in order to master their assignments.
LEARN TO LISTEN – The legal profession isn’t all about talking; it’s also about listening. Listening is an easy skill to practice in all areas of your life, from academic to social. Developing these skills to listen effectively is the key to a successful mediation, to frame the issues, keep your client informed, and advocate your client’s position.
GAIN PROSPECTIVE – You might have relatives or family friends you can start with. You might have relatives or family friends you can start with. If you don’t know anyone, ask your teachers if they can help with any introductions. Many legal professionals will be flattered that you want to hear their thoughts and will happy to speak to you. Just remember to show them respect and thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to help.
STAY ON COURSE – Organization is a required skill for law students and lawyers. You might as well develop it now. Start a law school file. In your file, you should keep everything relating to law school so that you don’t have to do the same work twice. You should create folders for your undergraduate information, for each law school you plan to apply to, and for general information relating to law school. Later on, you will add folders for your resume, your letters of recommendation, and other documentation you'll need latter for your pursuit in a law career
KEEP IT LIGHT – Pursuing a law career means you’re going to be attending school for a long time. If you don’t enjoy yourself, you’ll burn out. Just make sure you’re well-rounded and take classes that challenge you in the positive sense for now. It's admirable that you're motivated enough to plan ahead for more than ten years into the future, remember that you can't just skip ahead and get to law school. Concentrate on having a little fun with your friends, family, hobbies and school right now.
I wish you the best of luck in your high school, college and your law pursuits Apoorva. Even if you’re still deciding what you want to do when you get older, you’re taking an important step by exploring the options. Preparing for a law career will also prepare you for your academic and success in life.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Kathy Porter
Learning Experience Producer
9
Answers
Arvada, Colorado
Updated
Kathy’s Answer
Register with your local American Job Center. They have special programs for students who are doing career search as well as job opportunities that might be of interest to you. They offer support through job postings, job search workshops, and job fairs.
You can go to sites like www.careeronestop.org to find information on career exploration, training, and jobs. This site has tons of great information as you begin your search. You can look at different careers and what it takes for you to receive training, watch videos on different job types, and get questions answered.
You can also go to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/audience/jobseekers.htm to look at various occupations and learn about the current and future jobs outlook, advancement and training requirements, employment, salary, and a 10 year outlook for those occupations. There are also lots of other topics to explore on this page that will give you great information to help you get started.
Good luck!
You can go to sites like www.careeronestop.org to find information on career exploration, training, and jobs. This site has tons of great information as you begin your search. You can look at different careers and what it takes for you to receive training, watch videos on different job types, and get questions answered.
You can also go to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/audience/jobseekers.htm to look at various occupations and learn about the current and future jobs outlook, advancement and training requirements, employment, salary, and a 10 year outlook for those occupations. There are also lots of other topics to explore on this page that will give you great information to help you get started.
Good luck!
Thank you!
Apoorva
Djuana Banks
Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist
1
Answer
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Djuana’s Answer
Hello Apoorva,
In addition to the wonder advise provided. I would like to suggest getting involved in public speaking and Mock Trial. Public speaking is a great opportunity to develop your speaking skills. Mock Trial will allow you to learn about the legal system in a competitive manner.
Lastly, in addition to getting good grades make sure you have fun and enjoy yourself, and find out where you can make a difference in the world.
Enjoy!
In addition to the wonder advise provided. I would like to suggest getting involved in public speaking and Mock Trial. Public speaking is a great opportunity to develop your speaking skills. Mock Trial will allow you to learn about the legal system in a competitive manner.
Lastly, in addition to getting good grades make sure you have fun and enjoy yourself, and find out where you can make a difference in the world.
Enjoy!
Thank you so much!
Apoorva
Sheilah Goodman
1
Answer
Updated
Sheilah’s Answer
Apoorva, I agree with all John wrote particularly about writing. Being able to write well is key and besides practicing as much as you can, reading all kinds of different things is key as well. Also if you have the chance to join any debate clubs or public speaking clubs those can be extremely valuable as well. Best of luck!
Thank you!
Apoorva
Echo all the advice and comments already made. If you have an opportunity to shadow a lawyer during one day it will give you additional info on how the real world is. Within the legal profession there are many areas of work. If you are interested in an international career, I encourage you to learn additional languages, particularly Spanish or Chinese. Wish you a lot of luck and go for something you like and you are passionate about! That will give you the key to be a successful professional ;)
Maria Aguado Magallón
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
147
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Apoora: Interesting question! John and Sheilah have pretty much nailed down the essentials. Let me go in a different direction - be yourself! I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and no one in my family was a lawyer. I had no clue as to what I could or could not do. Law school openned up my eyes. I found classes I loved and classes I hated. I wound up trying civil cases in New York City for 37 years. So be yourself, have fun over the next years of high school and college. Read, get involved in debate clubs, get involved in social organizations - or politics - and write as much as you can. Being a lawyer is more than just knowing laws - it's caring about others. People only seek out lawyers when they are in some form of trouble. So being yourself and caring about others will get you more then half way there! Good luck, stay in school and learn as much as you can about yourself and the world around you and then jump in! Good luck!
Thank you so much for your response!
Apoorva
You welcome and good luck!
DENNIS BREEN
Fiona Meow
Legal Counsel
123
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Fiona’s Answer
I would suggest (1) joining a debating team at school; (2) talking to different types of lawyers to understand what they do (different areas of practice will be vastly different and the lawyers you see on television does not accurate portray the type of work many other lawyers do); (3) ensuring your writing skills are top notch; and (4) ensuring your grades are great - usually good law schools value top grades.
Thank you for this information!
Apoorva
Erin Black
Executive Assistant
5
Answers
Birmingham, Alabama
Updated
Erin’s Answer
Hey! Some of the best resources for inspiring lawyers are YouTube, LinkedIn, and LSAC. Research your questions on YouTube and find law students that can provide advice on whatever topics you are inquiring about. Connect with local lawyers in your area on LinkedIn. Try messaging them on LinkedIn and ask them for thirty minutes of their time to answer some of your questions. If you have any specific questions about law school check out this website:
https://www.lsac.org/
Best of luck to you!
https://www.lsac.org/
Best of luck to you!