If you think a career as a lawyer is a good fit for you, there are several ways you can find out more about it before making that final decision. First, sit in on a trial or two at your local or state courthouse. Try to focus mainly on the judge and the lawyer and take note of 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, video, or in-person interview with a lawyer. Prepare in advance for the interview by creating a list of questions, such as what a typical day is like and any advice they have for students interested in this profession. Ask your school's career services office about participating 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 lawyers 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: Discover Law: https://www.lsac.org/discover-law
After you have done some research, spoken with a lawyer, and still think you are destined for law school, try to get a summer or part-time job in a law office. Ask your school's career services office for help with finding employment opportunities.
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://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/resources/student-lawyer. The Law Student Podcast (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/resources/podcast) is another good resource.
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