Ask the Experts: Non-legal Career Options for Lawyers
Question:
I am considering going to law school after I graduate from college. What possibilities exist in that career field besides being a lawyer?
First Answer:
When I read this question, the first thing that came to my mind was why would anyone want to go to law school and not be a lawyer?
But to answer the question:
The Employment and Training Administration of the U S Department of Labor classifies lawyers with workers in lw occupations (GOE 11.04) Insurance attorneys, legal invesgtigators, paralegal assistants, adjudicators, arbitrators, conciliators, customs brokers, patent agents and abstractors are in this group.
The U S Dept. of Labor also classifies lawyers with other professionals in law and jurisprudence occupations (4th ed. DOT 11) AMong these workers are district attorneys, patent lawyers, tax attorneys, bar examiners, judges, magistrates, hearing offices, appeals referees, legal investigators and title examiners. (This information is taken from the Chronical Guidance Publications, Brief 94)
In the city where I live, lawyers also serve as new correspondents for local stations specialzing in stories related to law and politics. Many politicians also have a law background.
— Linda Wyatt, Career Center Director, Kansas City Kansas Community College
Second Answer:
Aspects of the law seems to me to, meet most all personality types from aggressive trial litigation through quieter patent and civil law areas. Thus, you may find an aspect of law practice appealing. Legal opportunities exist in business, professional sports, labor, the political arena, government, law enforcement, academe, and as a personal lawyer with your own clientele. Advancement exists into the judicial level within local, state and federal government. Related occupations that legal training is useful may include arbitrator, mediator, journalist, lobbyist, FBI special agent, and corporate executive.
The image of the hard-hitting attorney fighting before the bar with clever retorts and incisive questions seen on television is but the tip of law occupations. Talk with a counselor your college Careers office, they can help you explore the field in it full depth.
Unrelated, but related, it might be a idea for you to look into personal assessment testing with the thought these tests such as Myers-Briggs may give you an insight into who you are and what types of careers fit people with you identified personality type. It is something to consider.
— Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College
