Lawyer

Before entering law school, Mark Weber, assistant dean for career services at Harvard Law School, suggests that prospective students ask themselves why they want to go to law school. "Attending law school is a significant expenditure of time and resources, so you need to ask yourself what are your goals and why are you there, as opposed to just going to law school because you got in," he says. Weber also recommends reading up on the profession with books like “What Can You Do With a Law Degree” by Deborah Arron and “The Official Guide to Legal Specialties” by Lisa Abrams. "The more informed you are, the better choices you'll make," Weber says.

A prospective lawyer will need an undergraduate degree as well as a Juris Doctor degree from a law school. To prepare for law school, students should try to earn the best grades possible in their undergraduate program. They should also study for the Law School Admission Test. "Getting into a good school is half the battle of finding a good job," Weber says. “The other half is doing well in law school, exploring and evaluating your options, and developing and building your professional network.”After earning the degree, law students will have to sit for a state-specific bar examination. The exams vary by state but usually consist of a written test that probes knowledge of general legal principles as well as state laws and ethical standards. Lawyers are also encouraged to intern at firms, practices or in the public sector, so they can start building their professional network. Glenn Funk, district attorney for Nashville, Tennessee, recommends students spend the summer between their second and third year of law school interning for a public defender or DA's office. With the supervision of a lawyer, law students can get real courtroom experience, which will give them a good idea of what kind of law job they might want to get post-school.

Getting top marks in a good law school and passing the bar exam will greatly aid a lawyer in landing his or her first job. While students are in school, Weber recommends they attend career programs, take substantive courses to learn about different practice areas and take clinical courses to gain hands-on legal experience. He says students should also use their summers to obtain practical work experience. They should cultivate relationships with other attorneys, including school faculty who can direct them to their own contacts in the industry. Weber says prospective lawyers should also review and manage their online profiles by adjusting privacy settings on social media. "Lawyers need to look and act the part," he says. “Having good judgment is as important as having mastery of the law. By managing your professional presence, whether it be through your résumé, social media or business attire, you are demonstrating your good judgment to prospective employers." Weber also recommends that would-be attorneys hone their writing skills. "Writing clearly, concisely and effectively puts you ahead of the pack," he says.