If you’ve been considering a career as a lawyer, that’s a great option since the field is estimated to grow by 8% by 2028. You can expect to earn an entry-level salary of $50,739 per year, though this figure may depend on the location and specialty. On the flip side, training to be a lawyer requires at least seven years of schooling in an accredited program and involves considerable tuition. The hours are long, and tough competition may limit job openings. You’ll find more details by clicking on this link. But, if it’s information you’re looking for on how to get qualified, read ahead.
Choosing College Major Before Law School
Juris Doctor or JD aspirants, as law applicants call themselves, can take any college major and excel in the undergraduate program that interests them. Law schools typically don’t have any specifications but taking up engaging coursework will ensure high GPA scores to get into the law school you prefer. Even while in college, you’ll take up extracurricular activities and sign up for programs to hone your skills for a career in law. For instance, courses that improve your reading and writing skills to create better strategies for court.
STEM fields that include subjects like science, tech, engineering, and math train your analytical skills and logical reasoning, while social sciences develop societal awareness. Enter into debate teams to learn how to present compelling arguments and influence outcomes while enhancing your public speaking skills. Any other activities that build intellectual prowess and personal discipline will help you be a successful attorney down the line.
Getting into Law School
To achieve your objective of becoming a qualified attorney, you have two choices. You can spend seven years in a good school. Or, get a job with a reputable law firm as a legal apprentice. Certain states like California, Wyoming, Vermont, New York, and Maine permit law aspirants to train under the supervision of an established lawyer by way of “reading the law.” Having acquired enough experience, they can practice law without getting a formal J.D. degree.
If you choose to go to college, you’ll sit for the Law School Admission Test or LSAT exam, or Graduate Record Examinations General Test. Scoring well in these tests will raise your chances of getting into a good program. Some schools also expect to see a personal statement or essay and resume. At this point, you can choose the specialty where you intend to work. For instance:
- Federal judicial clerkships
- Business law
- Family Law
- Corporate Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Health Law
- Tax Law
- Patent Law
On completing your training, you must sit for the bar exam before applying for your license to work as a lawyer. Several mobile applications are available to help you train for the exam. See more for added information about how they assist by providing mock tests you can take to test your skills before the actual exam.
Training to be an attorney is a challenging and grueling road, but you can expect to build a successful career at the end of it.