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Learn more about the work of judges by sitting in on a trial or two at your local or state courthouse. Try to focus mainly on the judge and the lawyer and take notes on what they do. Write down questions you have and terms or actions you do not understand. Then, talk to your school's career services office and ask for help in setting up a telephone or in-person interview with a judge. Prepare a list of questions in advance. Also, see if your school can help you participate in a job-shadowing program. Job shadowing programs allow you to follow a person in a certain career around for a day or two to get an idea of what goes on in a typical day. You may even be invited to help out with a few minor duties.

You can also search the Internet for general information about judges and current court cases. Read court transcripts and summary opinions written by judges on issues of importance today. Visit the Web sites of professional associations and organizations. Here are a few suggestions:

  • American Bar Association: Legal Career Center (https://www.americanbar.org/careercenter)
  • American Bar Association: How Courts Work (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work)
  • Law School Admission Council: Applying to Law School (https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school)

After you have done some research and talked to a judge and you still think you are destined for this career, get a part-time or summer job in a courthouse or law office. Ask your school's career services office for help.

If you are already in law school, you might consider becoming a student member of the American Bar Association. Student members receive Student Lawyer, a magazine that contains useful information for aspiring lawyers. Sample articles from the magazine can be read at https://abaforlawstudents.com/stay-informed/student-lawyer-magazine.

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