So you’ve read sample law school personal statements, written your admission essay, got into law school and graduated. But you realized you don’t want to pursue a career in law. What are you going to do?
Well, you’re not really lost. With a law degree, you still have a lot of career options. In fact, because you’ve undergone four years of college and another four years of law school, you’re more qualified for various jobs than many of the other applicants. You just need to know your interests and skills to discover the career that’s right for you.
Here are some career options for a law school graduate:
1. Education career
Who else is better equipped to teach legal subjects than someone who has at least a bachelor’s degree in law? You can effectively apply all that you’ve learned in law school especially with the skills in analysis, persuasive communication, research, and writing you have developed during those four grueling years in law school.
Some subjects a law school graduate may teach in college or law school are law and economics, law and society, law and history, law and psychology, legal studies, business ethics, environmental policy, intellectual property, and criminal justice. You, as an educator, may also pursue a master’s degree in law or a doctorate in Juridical Science to be more effective in your career.
2. Entertainment and media careers
Believe it or not, entertainment and media careers are also an option for law school graduates. In fact, there are some Hollywood actors and actresses who spent a few years in law school and later pursued an acting career. One example is Gerard Butler who played King Leonidas in the movie “300″ and the Phantom in the movie remake of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of The Opera.” But of course, an entertainment career applies only if your heart is in acting.
On the other hand, law school graduates like you may use your research skills in some media careers. Examples of possible occupations are legal editor, law correspondent, legal newspaper publisher, legal publisher account representative, sports agent, literary agent, or publishing house acquisitions editor.
3. Administration and management careers
Many large companies are looking for qualified persons who can perform jobs like foundation executive, grants management specialist, unclaimed property administrator, management analyst, or program analyst. Having a broad knowledge of the law and various legal issues gives you leverage for such positions.
4. Environmental career
If you have a background in science or studied the sciences during college, you may work as an environmental consultant, environmental advocate, environmental protection specialist, environmental policy analyst, or hazardous waste management consultant. You may also opt for positions like safety and occupational health specialist, technological program hazards specialist or coastal zone resources manager.
5. Other careers
Further suggestions are careers in:
- Financial services
- Journalism and research
- Real estate
- Human resources and employment
- Law enforcement
- Criminal justice
- Insurance and risk management
Photo Credit : Marshall Astor – Food Pornographer
