What is the best advice you can give an aspiring lawyer about to start college?
I'm not 100% sure I want to be a lawyer but I definitely want to have a career in the law field. Whether it be steps I should start taking now or attitudes to go into college with, what's some advice qualified people in law related careers or students about to graduate can give me? Thank you! #college #law #lawyer #graduate #advice #justice #legal
7 answers
Alexandra’s Answer
Hello there, future fellow lawyer. I am a lawyer and would like to share some advice from an academic, professional and personal perspective.
First, speaking of academic achievement, take some classes in political theory and philosophy. Try to take classes that involve a lot of reading and helping you develop analytical skills. Second, professionally speaking, try to get an internship or some part-time work as a paralegal so you can meet real lawyers and see what it likes to be one. Third, think about your personal goals and why you want to be a lawyer. Are you looking into criminal or corporate law? Or maybe litigation? These are all types of law but they are very, very different. Think about your own personality and what makes you happy. Not everyone enjoys going to court and litigating. Some people are really afraid of taking criminal cases. Others prefer reviewing contracts. Try to meet people who have done different things and get a taste of each of these.
Alexandra recommends the following next steps:
Mariana’s Answer
I could say some expectations of going to law school:
1. There are many logistics to deal with: You may be envisioning law student life as consisting of lectures, briefs and hours of studying at your favorite coffee shop. While these things are all part very much part of the picture, there are quite a few practical issues to get through first.
2. Your schedule is out of your hands: Because the majority of law schools organize first-year students into 'sections'. The section you are in determines the course you will take and when you will take them or if you´re in a school in which you could make your own schedule there´re going to be sometimes that you´ll need to risk.
3. The reading is intense: If you have done your research and talked to law school students or alumni, you have probably already been informed of the massive quantities of reading you will be assigned in your first year of law school. This is no exaggeration.
4. Your social life will change: Law student life is inherently competitive. While this can make forming close friendships difficult, it can also create a unique environment of camaraderie. Developing bonds with classmates in your section as well as via study groups can help you come out ahead.
Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for legal work is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in many areas, so I really believe that there are many sectors in which we could work, everyday new needs appear for society so as consequence new legal areas are born.
Mariana
Good luck!
Colman’s Answer
Firstly, you don't necessarily need a law degree to kickstart your legal career. Interestingly, many big-city firms are currently on the hunt for graduates with science degrees. Why, you ask? Well, the discipline and training you get in the science field can be easily applied to a solicitor's role.
Moreover, with AI and Life Sciences gaining immense importance, lawyers with a solid understanding of these areas are highly sought after. This also holds true for other non-legal degrees, so don't worry if you didn't jump straight into law right after school.
Another thing you might want to think about is that private practice isn't everyone's cup of tea, but that doesn't mean you're out of options. You could always work in-house in a field you're passionate about.
So, there are plenty of routes and opportunities to step into the legal world. It's a broad field with something for everyone!
Meredith’s Answer
Bruce’s Answer
Make sure that you want to become a lawyer for reasons other than money. Make goor grades to get into the best law school.
Richard’s Answer
Carmela’s Answer
From an academic perspective, I suggest seeking out college classes that will help you develop critcal thinking, writing skills and presentation/public speaking skills. In my experience, this is far more important than your college major -- unless perhaps you decide to go into an area of law for which expertise in a particular field would help (for example, if you decided you really wanted to practice sports law, you might want to major in -- or even just take some classes in -- sports management).
I also suggest getting as much law-related work experience as you can -- whether in internships or paid positions. This will help you focus your career preferences and also bolster your law school application (in case you do decide to apply). It's a good idea to visit the internship and career counseling departments at your college early on. Also, look at law school admission requirements now, so you know what to expect and can focus on becoming a desirable applicant. Law school admissions and the legal profession are very competitive, so gather as much information as you can now in order to (a) evaluate your interest, and (b) begin to think strategically about how to navigate law school and a career.
Good luck!