(Newswire.net — October 22, 2021) — Are you a future lawyer who loathes the idea of working behind a desk at a huge firm? If so, you probably entertain the notion of pursuing a non-traditional legal career, either as a solo practitioner or as part of a small practice. The good news is that there are plenty of options for legal professionals who want something different. Not to mention even if you start out behind the desk, that does not mean that down the line you won’t consider a career change that moves you out from behind the desk but still keeps the focus on law. Of course, the first step is getting and paying for a degree.
After that, you’ll need to accumulate some basic experience in one or more specialty areas as you prepare for a long-term career in teaching, public defense, politics, or the entertainment field. The choice you make has everything to do with your personal preferences. As well, it’s helpful to do some soul searching before and during law school to identify the ideal path for your professional life. Here’s a detailed roadmap that can help you sift through the possibilities and challenges, beginning with obtaining your academic degree.
Get Your Degree
Start off the right way and deal with the financial obligations of a graduate legal degree first. Consider taking out a student loan from a private lender in order to get the entire cost of your schooling covered. There’s a good reason so many students opt for private loans for law school and apply for them as soon as they plan on attending a three-year program. Not only do private lenders offer competitive terms and rates, but they are adept at crafting tailor-made repayment plans for new grads who are just beginning their careers in the legal field. After securing financing, focus on mastering the concepts that make up the wide field of legal studies, and get ready to take the Bar exam as soon as you graduate.
Choose a Non-Traditional Career
During school, speak with counselors, professors, and other students to flesh out the non-traditional options. Some of the most popular non-firm jobs are in the teaching profession, where you can convey what you’ve learned to incoming law school students. Others prefer making a life in the arena of public defense, which consists of helping indigent and low-income defendants who have no other way of obtaining expert representation. Two other routes are politics and entertainment, more details about which are listed below.
Run for Political Office
After spending one or more years in the formal practice of law, many people opt to pursue political office at the city, state, or national level. It helps to gain basic competence in your profession before running for office, so be sure to maintain a stellar reputation as a working attorney before entering politics.
Become an Entertainment Consultant
If the entertainment industry is your cup of tea, consider putting your degree and skills to work as a consultant for film and television companies. It’s up to you to work alone or as part of a small firm. Either way, you’ll need to be close to one of the showbusiness capitals, feel comfortable dealing with celebrities and spend at least two years learning the trade. To boost your knowledge base, take one or more entertainment-related electives while in your third year of studies.