Ten Non Traditional Ways to Use a Law Degree
The New York City Bar Association has appointed a task force to analyze the lackluster job market for law grads. The City Bar President says this isn’t just a “hand-wringing exercise” but hopes the task force will be able to offer solutions.
I’m going to keep my eyes open for that report because I believe the lawyers in North Carolina can also benefit from learning how to find solutions to a poor job market. Unfortunately, lawyers are still job searching while hands are being wrung and committees are scheduling meetings.
In the meantime, here are a few thoughts on another option – finding the non-traditional law job of your dreams. If you are reading this post following graduation from law school, you are not in a position to second guess your choice of law school. But you can second guess your choice of practicing law.
Here is a list of non-traditional careers where a law degree may be helpful:
Law school - professor, administrator, career services, admissions, law librarian, other
Undergraduate professor
Court administrator
Bar Association - CLE, administration, membership services, other
Law firm administration – marketing, recruiting, librarian, personnel, other
Government – investigator, contracts, social services, other
Law enforcement
Journalism
Legal vendor – sales, trainer, marketing
Business
Make sure you talk to your law school career services office. Those folks aren’t practicing law either and they will know other alums who aren’t practicing law who are successful. Also, here are some books that may serve as references:
Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams by Kimm Alayne Walton
America’s Greatest Places to Work with a Law Degree by Kimm Alayne Walton
What Can You Do With a Law Degree by Deborah L Arron
Job Quest for Lawyers: The Essential Guide to Finding and Landing the Job You Want by Sheila Nielsen
Breaking Traditions: Work Alternatives for Lawyers by Alan T. Ackerman
Job searching is itself a full-time job. Many graduates fear their first job determines their entire legal career. Certainly not in this economy and really, not ever. You will have many jobs ahead of you and perhaps several careers. Considering a non-traditional approach may be the new normal for a majority of recent law grads.
