Researching A New Career: What's More Out There for Those with a Law Degree?

The first and most common question would-be career changers ask is, "What other job can I get with a law degree?" Although there are some common career paths, unfortunately, there is no list of other careers for which lawyers may get hired. There are, however, almost limitless resources for you to research other fields. Lawyers have been able to move into nearly every field that exists.

A good way to begin is to take a giant step back from the law, and read a good general resource book that surveys other fields in detail. Unless you know exactly what you want to do, this is a better way to start than to think about which other employers might want to hire lawyers. Just as a first-year law student might read a guide to law specialties to determine what exactly a labor lawyer does, you need to know the day-to-day details of what a creative director at an ad agency does before you can decide if it's for you, and how you might be able to position yourself to move into the field.


The first step in starting a career transition is to look within yourself. Many people make the mistake of looking only to the job market. They look through the classified ads or call headhunters. They look for what "they can get." They don't spend any time thinking about what they really want-or how to figure out a way to position themselves so they can get it.

This is especially true in the realm of alternative legal careers. Attorneys come to counselors for counseling time and again, asking, "What else can I do?" as if there were an actual list of open jobs for lawyers who are unhappy practicing law. But any type of job search, especially a transition out of law practices requires some self-assessment first. Without it, unfortunately, you may be heading right from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

A great place to find general resources on specific careers, once you have done a general overview, is to start your research not in your law school, but in your undergraduate career services center, or one at a university in your region. Most schools have "reciprocity" with other colleges and universities, so that your career services center can get you permission to use a school in another part of the country. Most people do not realize that they can utilize their alma mater for information years after graduation.

Start by calling the Career Development or Career Services department of your school. (After you find career(s) in other fields that interest you, and research them thoroughly, your law school career counselor can additionally help you re-tool your resume and interviewing skills). After you visit your undergraduate school for resources, you should also stop by other graduate school career centers, (i.e., business school). They have good resources as well, and will usually let you in for a day or two if you are nice to them.

Below, you'll find a useful list of resources that should help you in your research on non-legal careers.

Networking For Alternative Legal Careers

Once you have completed self-assessment, and you have done your research, you are ready to set up networking meetings. The purpose of networking is to: a) gain advice and information; b) find out how you can better position yourself to get a job; and c) meet more people. If you are a networking skeptic, you will be surprised how well this actually works. In fact, it is-statistically speaking- the best-known method for obtaining a real job. This is especially true when you are switching fields, since it may be harder to get a foot in the door with your resume alone. Al- though there are many ways to conduct a networking meeting, the easiest way to approach someone is to write them a short letter (do not enclose your resume) and then follow it up with a phone call. That way, they have some frame of reference for the reason you are calling. People will almost always be responsive as long as you are just asking for information and advice, not a job. Of course, they will remember you if a real job does come along-this happens more frequently than you may think.
 

• See 60 Nontraditional Jobs You Can Do with a Law Degree (and Should Strongly Consider Doing) for more information about alternative careers for lawyers.

When you call, try to set up an in-person meeting if possible. Offer to buy them a cup of coffee or lunch (it never hurts to build up goodwill!). What to talk about? Ask them questions about themselves and how they got to where they are now. You'll be surprised to see your fifteen-minute meeting turn into a half-hour or more. During your appointment you may want to address:

A. Career:
 

• their background
• how their interest developed in this area
• what they like best/least about the work
• "career steps" (what former jobs they held, what they learned from each, how they progressed from one job to the next); if a former practicing lawyer, how the transition was made

B. Advantages and disadvantages of work
 

• this field in different types of organizations (i.e., public sector, private sector, large, small)
• this field in different parts of the country

C. What the organization is like and how it operates:
 

• who they supervise, and report to
• performance expectations
• advancement opportunities
• future growth potential/salary information (be diplomatic-ask for general information)

D. What organizations such as theirs are looking for in an employee?

E. What you could do to make yourself more attractive as a potential employee including:
 

• suggestions on upgrading your resume
• suggestions on interviewing techniques
• suggestions for additional educational and experiential qualifications you might pursue
• suggestions on where to go to find more information
• names of others in the field with whom you could speak

F. Do they know of any specific publications or job newsletters that contain job openings you should consider?