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Deciding Which Area of Law is Right for You

Knowing what your career options are - and how to choose the best one for you.

By Gwendolen JohnstonPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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So you’ve decided to attend law school. Maybe you’ve graduated already or are looking for a change in your career. There are many fields within the world of law, and knowing which one you want to practice is an essential first step in your career.

Now is the time to decide which field of law you wish to pursue. This means taking the time to consider what you want out of your career, including what challenges you’re willing to face. Next, consider your interests. Knowing these two pieces of information will help you decide which path is right for you. Still uncertain? Continue reading to help figure out which area of law is right for you.

Know Your Options

First and foremost, it is always beneficial to understand what your options are within the broader spectrum of the law. There are dozens of choices and fields available, and while you don’t need to understand each of them in-depth, it does help to understand the basics.

There are so many potential fields to consider, including administrative law, admiralty/maritime law, alternative dispute resolution, animal law, antitrust law, appellate, aviation/aerospace law, banking/finance law, bankruptcy law, business litigation, corporate law, civil litigation, civil rights law, constitutional law, contract law, criminal defense/prosecution, divorce law, and labor law. To be very clear: this is not a complete list. There are dozens of other options available, so if none of these feel right to you, keep looking!

Assess Your Goals

Before deciding, ask yourself what you want to get out of this career. Are you aiming for something specific or following a particular passion? Alternatively, what are your long-term goals?

Long-term goals don’t necessarily have to be related to your career choice. Instead, they can be goals such as family and work status, financial situation, and a general work environment/location. All these answers can help inform you which path is the correct one for you.

Analyze Your Strengths

The best jobs are ones that take advantage of your strengths. Are you an organized person who loves working with people? Or does the thought of endless paperwork sound like the worst thing ever? These answers may feel trivial, but once again, they can help to inform your decision.

Consider all your strengths and weaknesses. Could any of them be applied to a potential career? Alternatively, are any of them a potential detriment?

Research

For those still struggling to make a decision, take a bit of time to do some additional research. Take a few potential fields that seem the most interesting and read up on what they entail. Read articles online, grab books from the library, and even listen to podcasts. All of this will help give you a better idea of what the work entails and thus whether or not it is the right fit for you.

If it all feels overwhelming, one way to start this research is to pick up a general law book. These books should contain basic information on many (if not all) potential legal fields available (as mentioned above). This will make a good starting point for the rest of your research.

Ask for Advice

Remember that there is never any shame in asking for help or advice. If you have a mentor or other industry professional in your life, consider asking them for some advice on the matter. They may have powerful insight worth sharing with you.

There are always networking opportunities for those who don’t have a professional in their life. Reaching out to experts at events, schools, and potential employers is always an option.

Attend Industry Events

Finally, don’t be afraid to attend industry events. Events like career fairs and seminars are a great way to glimpse into the life of a professional in the field you are considering.

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About the Creator

Gwendolen Johnston

Gwendolen Johnston is a successful entrepreneur who lives and works in Summerville, South Carolina. She is also an activist, philanthropist, and mother of four children, all grown-up now. Visit Gwendolen's website to learn more about her.

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