Steps to Pursuing a Career as a Lawyer

There is no question that practicing law is a noble profession. Oftentimes, it is also lucrative. Anyone interested in becoming a lawyer should take some time to plan how to reach that goal. After speaking with a career counselor to better understand what the law profession really is, students need to make some decisions, take some tests, study a lot, and, finally, take a bar exam.

  1. Deciding: The first decision is what type of law to practice. From tax lawyers to defense attorneys, there are many law specialties. Making this decision will help you know where to go to school and what internship opportunities to explore. For example, if you wish to become a Florida injury attorney, you must explore opportunities in Florida.
  2. LSAT: Next, you must take the LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test). How you score on this test determines where you can go to law school. It is the first step of the application process, and the test lasts four days.
  3. School: Once you have chosen a specialty and a school, the studying begins. Law school typically lasts three years for full-time students, although it can take longer for those who are unable to attend school full time.
  4. Bar: Once you have graduated from law school, there is one final hurdle: the bar exam. Attorneys must take the bar exam in the state they wish to practice in. For example, a Florida injury attorney must take the Florida bar exam.  Many choose to work as an intern or associate at a law firm while they are studying for the exam.
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Choosing A Course Of Study

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Once you have determined what career path you want to take, it is easy to know what classes you should take because of the degree requirements. However, if you have not determined what path is the right one for you, then choosing a course of study can be very difficult.

There are a couple of ways that you can go about choosing your courses until you know which direction that you really want to go. One way is to just focus on your core classes. Taking your core classes can give you more time to think about what it is that you want to do with your life. As you are studying and working in these core classes, you may become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and what you would really enjoy doing.

Another option, is to take some elective classes. Taking some of the classes that you think may be a possible career path for you can help you decide if it is really like you think it will be. You can find out just how much you like it. Many people like this approach, because no one wants to work through a degree, only to find that they do not like the career field, and wish that they would have done something else.

Either option works well for most people. If you try both and still have a hard time deciding, a career counselor may be able to help you  make that final determination on which degree you want to pursue.

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