Non-legal careers for law school graduates. Forum

[boston]

Does anyone have any examples of fellow graduates switching to other professions or industries as a result of the lack of legal employment (and I don't mean bartending )? Is a JD helpful in any other professions? Tried to find some research on it but it is quite difficult to find any concrete information.

Just to provide some context for why I am asking, I graduated from your typical small liberal arts college in the Northeast in 2009. No real jobs options at that particular time so I decided to go to a TTT as a result of financial aid that would allow me to go with very little debt. Seeing a lot of 3Ls at my school struggle to find any type of law-related job, I realize that it is very possible that I won't be able to get one as well (Nor do I have a strong desire to become an attorney).

I realize this could be a stupid question but I kinda of fell into law school and I am in the dark when it comes to various aspects of a legal career or the opportunities available after graduation.

[D-ROCCA]

Nor do I have a strong desire to become an attorney

Not to be a dick, but you probably should have thought through the decision to go to law school a bit more. Most lawyers get non-legal jobs after they've practiced for at least a few years, and because they have valuable experience/training in other fields that puts them in a unique position to work in the non-legal field.

[FunkyJD]

OP, legislative aide in your state capital is a definite option.

[boston]

Nor do I have a strong desire to become an attorney

Not to be a dick, but you probably should have thought through the decision to go to law school a bit more. Most lawyers get non-legal jobs after they've practiced for at least a few years, and because they have valuable experience/training in other fields that puts them in a unique position to work in the non-legal field.

I understand that but hindsight is 20/20. Graduated in the spring of 2009 and there was nothing available jobs wise. Might have been a stupid move but I picked getting an advanced degree over working temp jobs with an undergrad degree that really wouldn't help me stand out in a crowded employment field.

[Aberzombie1892]

Let's see:
1. Working with the legislature (there are many positions related to this)
2. Investment banking/venture capital/investment firms/etc.
3. starting your own business
4. Working for corporations (oil, energy, environmental, insurance, heathcare, etc.) in a variety of capacities (advisor, consultant, mid-management, etc).
5. Broker (in a wide range of fields, although the classes you take in law school - and where you go - are really important)
6. Etc.

Many of these positions are not "easy" to get. However, if you have the qualifications, they are realistic options.

What did you get your advanced degree in?

[boston]

Let's see:
1. Working with the legislature (there are many positions related to this)
2. Investment banking/venture capital/investment firms/etc.
3. starting your own business
4. Working for corporations (oil, energy, environmental, insurance, heathcare, etc.) in a variety of capacities (advisor, consultant, mid-management, etc).
5. Broker (in a wide range of fields, although the classes you take in law school - and where you go - are really important)
6. Etc.

Many of these positions are not "easy" to get. However, if you have the qualifications, they are realistic options.

Thanks, this was the type of stuff I thinking about. Reading the conversations on the board about being "jobless" after graduation, I was wondering if that was referring to strictly legal careers or employment as a whole

What did you get your advanced degree in?

I was referring to getting a JD

[Black-Blue]

In general, having a JD doesn't help you get a job in other fields, unless it's a JD preferred field. A JD sometimes help you get into industries like consulting where a JD can be valued as a general label of ability, but top business firms only recruit from T10 schools, I've heard.

In many instances, having a JD will hinder your ability to find jobs in other fields because you are seen as indecisive or a flight risk.

For JD-preferred fields, law enforcement is a one that actually favors JDs. Another area is HR in a mega business/corporation that requires more sophistication than normal HR. Accounting is beginning to like JDs if you have a quantitative background, I've heard, but only in bigger firms.

[FunkyJD]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

[mpj_3050]

The Department of Defense hires contract specialists to negotiate weapons systems prices with manufacturers. They like people with business undergrad degrees but they hire a ton of lawyers - then again it would suck to spend 3 years in law school and get a job that undergrads with accounting degrees get, plus you don't practice law. A friend of mine works at an Air Force Base and started at 48k, 58k next year, and then 68k the 3rd year; normal pay increases after that. He works 37 hours a week and gets 3 hours for going to the gym. They are hiring a good number of them across the country but like everything else you have to have someone get your resume to the right people. I posted about this type of job before; great benefits, 60k in loan repayment and I'm sure you get the public service loan forgiveness as well.

Hell, if you hire me at 48k with loan repayment and a 37 hour work week it would be pretty good.

[boston]

The Department of Defense hires contract specialists to negotiate weapons systems prices with manufacturers. They like people with business undergrad degrees but they hire a ton of lawyers - then again it would suck to spend 3 years in law school and get a job that undergrads with accounting degrees get, plus you don't practice law. A friend of mine works at an Air Force Base and started at 48k, 58k next year, and then 68k the 3rd year; normal pay increases after that. He works 37 hours a week and gets 3 hours for going to the gym. They are hiring a good number of them across the country but like everything else you have to have someone get your resume to the right people. I posted about this type of job before; great benefits, 60k in loan repayment and I'm sure you get the public service loan forgiveness as well.

Hell, if you hire me at 48k with loan repayment and a 37 hour work week it would be pretty good.

Thanks for the information.

[20160810]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

I wish this were true, I'd totally do it. Nobody pays for news anymore, and journalism is a dying field.

[Grizz]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

I wish this were true, I'd totally do it. Nobody pays for news anymore, and journalism is a dying field.

This. I get my news from the TLS Lounge.

[Blindmelon]

Yea... I hear Suffolk is hurting. TTT and your name is Boston, so I assume its that. If so, tons of Suffolk grads in local state government. Seems like a good gig -

[20160810]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

I wish this were true, I'd totally do it. Nobody pays for news anymore, and journalism is a dying field.

This. I get my news from the TLS Lounge.

I get mine from a nice mix of CNN.com/thinkprogress.org/fark.com/gawker/deadspin. The only news I pay for is Newsweek, and I've been a subscriber for years so they give me ridiculous renewal deals (pretty sure I'm paying less than $20/yr, which is a steal for a never-ending supply of toilet reading).

[FunkyJD]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

I wish this were true, I'd totally do it. Nobody pays for news anymore, and journalism is a dying field.

Without question, the journalism model is changing, but here's some food for thought; see below. Would I go to law school just for this? Heck no ... but it's something to consider if you've decided you don't want to practice law after graduation.

http://cubreporters.org/legal_journalism.html

[Grizz]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

I wish this were true, I'd totally do it. Nobody pays for news anymore, and journalism is a dying field.

Without question, the journalism model is changing, but here's some food for thought; see below. Would I go to law school just for this? Heck no ... but it's something to consider if you've decided you don't want to practice law after graduation.

http://cubreporters.org/legal_journalism.html

Be like Elie Mystal - leave firm life to write race-baiting articles for a legal blog.

[20160810]

Journalism's another possibility as well. Especially in investigative reporting.

I wish this were true, I'd totally do it. Nobody pays for news anymore, and journalism is a dying field.

Without question, the journalism model is changing, but here's some food for thought; see below. Would I go to law school just for this? Heck no ... but it's something to consider if you've decided you don't want to practice law after graduation.

http://cubreporters.org/legal_journalism.html

Be like Elie Mystal - leave firm life to write race-baiting articles for a legal blog.

His jokes are almost never funny.

[GATORTIM]

Be like Elie Mystal Mystikal

DELETED

[FunkyJD]

Be like Elie Mystal - leave firm life to write race-baiting articles for a legal blog.

Funny.

Be like Elie Mystal Mystikal

DELETED

Hilarious and credited.

[20160810]

Be like Elie Mystal Mystikal

DELETED

Holy shit, evidently Mystikal has quite the rap sheet, even by rap standards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystikal#O ... prisonment

He's listed in the Wikipedia category "American sex offenders."

[Grizz]

Hahaha great post Tim