What Types of Jobs Can You Get After Law School?
After law school, you can continue to practice law or seek other positions in fields related to your studies. These include working for an employer that employs attorneys and/or paralegals or pursuing a career in public interest advocacy.
A law degree teaches you to think critically, research, communicate, and distill large rafts of information into succinct writing. It also teaches you how to argue and influence decision-makers.
Non-Legal Careers
Having a law degree opens up many more doors than the simple traditional path to a practicing attorney position. Instead, law graduates are able to leverage the knowledge and analytical skills they gained in law school into a variety of non-legal jobs.
For example, a non-lawyer human resources professional can use their legal background to address legal issues within their job duties as they work with employees and in-house counsel on employment matters, such as discrimination claims and terminations. Management analyst can apply their analytical and research skills to budgeting and other business issues as well.
A judicial clerkship allows recent graduates to gain experience in the courtroom and the practice of law outside of the traditional lawyer role. Mediation, a private alternative to litigation, also enables individuals with law degrees to work on disputes in an informal setting and is becoming more popular as a method for settling personal disputes.
Journalism offers an interesting career option for lawyers with a passion for writing. They may write articles or columns for newspapers, magazines, and government publications.
Continuing Education Opportunities
As you progress in your career, it’s important to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. This is particularly true in the legal industry, where regulations and statutes change frequently.
Taking courses that challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and help you see the world through new eyes can be a great way to continue your professional growth after law school. Whether you’re looking to advance your legal career or gain the knowledge and tools you need to become an effective paralegal, continuing education can be an essential part of your journey.
There is a wide range of online continuing education opportunities available to students and professionals across all industries. From self-paced learning to on-demand instruction, you can take advantage of these platforms and earn credits that will benefit your salary and your skill set.
JD Advantage
Law school can be a life-changing experience and an exciting time. But it can also be a time of doubt and confusion. A student may decide that the legal field is not the right fit for him or her.
Many students find that the JD degree provides a solid foundation for a non-legal career. These JD-advantage jobs are a growing segment of the employment market that can be highly rewarding.
These positions are often in areas such as compliance, human resources, investment banking, consulting, and law firm professional development. They require a strong background in business, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.
At UHLC, the Career Development Office is committed to helping students and graduates find their path after law school. The office offers numerous opportunities for students and alumni to network with employers through career fairs, events, and 12Twenty, the CDO’s online job bank.
Non-Legal Internships
First-year law students often consider internships in the legal field, but there are many other non-legal opportunities for advancement. These may be in the private sector, government agencies, or nonprofits.
The Department of Justice has volunteer legal intern positions; the New York State Office of the Attorney General is still accepting applications for criminal defense practice interns in Brooklyn; and the National Parks Conservation Association is hiring a summer Sun Coast Legal Intern in Florida—to name a few options.
Getting a law internship is a great way to get hands-on experience and start thinking about your future career path. Not only does it give you valuable experience, but you also get to learn how to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve gained in law school.
