Being a lawyer requires many different skills, including communication, research and writing. These abilities can be developed by enrolling in undergraduate courses like English, political science, accounting or criminal justice.
Law degrees can be earned via Juris Doctor (JD) programs or non-JD degrees focusing on certain areas of law.
Criminal Justice
Criminal justice or criminology degrees are an excellent choice for students interested in law enforcement who hope to make an impactful difference in their communities. Criminal justice offers various career paths ranging from frontline officers and legal advisors, through rehabilitation professionals.
Criminology and criminal justice majors gain insight into the criminal justice system, its policies and procedures as well as criminological theory and research methods – giving them a deeper understanding of crime as a phenomenon and its impacts on society.
Criminal justice degrees provide career options across a range of fields, from law enforcement and administration, forensic science and corrections – with strong job growth prospects in all these professions.
English
Law school offers those aspiring to be lawyers a chance to realize their career dreams while receiving training that will serve them in their future endeavors. There are various subjects that can help students prepare for a career in law; the ideal subject will depend on individual interests. English classes will enable students to develop strong written and oral communication skills that will prove vital when conducting legal research, writing briefs or making courtroom presentations. Sociological subjects, like social sciences, can help develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Mathematics, statistics and ethics may also prove helpful – legal cases frequently include issues regarding ethics.
Law schools typically offer undergraduate majors in criminal justice, political science and English to prepare prospective law school students. These majors can help create the basis for law school studies which typically last three or four years on a full-time basis before graduating with their Juris Doctor degree.
Political Science
Do you ever wonder how politicians get elected or laws are written? Studying political science can shed some light on this mystery. This major teaches students about government on local, state and national levels while simultaneously developing analytical reasoning and communication skills that prepare them for careers in business, law, nonprofit work or journalism as well as providing them with leadership opportunities as world citizens.
Political scientists often secure employment in government bodies, research institutions and media companies; as well as working in public relations, lobbying, advocacy or lobbying roles. Their knowledge of politics, communication and analysis gives them an edge in the job market and this profession is ideal for individuals who love researching and thinking critically.
Accounting
Law school can be an expensive endeavor, and finding employment that will pay back that investment may take years. But if the inflexibility of many firms (I have seen attorneys miss births of children!) no longer suits your lifestyle, there are alternatives available that offer both financial security and flexibility.
Consider taking on a management consulting role in the private sector. Such roles require many of the analytical skills you learned as a lawyer and often pay well. Or you could consider working for a large financial services company where you could draw upon your knowledge of funds, superannuation and regulation while using your research abilities in this role.
Research
Research is an integral component of any legal job, so it is wise to develop your skills in this area prior to attending law school. Take courses like English that develop your written communication abilities that are crucial when writing or briefing for legal proceedings; math provides additional analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities essential in legal work.
Professional certifications and apprenticeships can also help professionals hone their skills while gaining hands-on experience that will boost their resumes. Some professionals even opt for a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree to gain a broad knowledge of law-related topics without becoming lawyers themselves – these advanced degrees open doors to an array of careers such as compliance or human resources.
