There are many benefits of law school beyond the ability to practice law once you graduate. Law school provides students with a good foundation of highly desirable skills that allow them to also work in other industries. Evaluating the benefits of attending law school can help you prepare for a career and determine how it can be advantageous to your goals. In this article, we discuss some of the benefits of law school.
Why choose a career in law?
Working in a career in legal industry can provide you with a challenging, yet rewarding career. Employees who work in the legal industry are able to develop analytical and problem-solving skills. With these skills, they have the ability to solve problems, sometimes right in their own communities. Law careers are versatile and flexible, making them a good career for people who enjoy an ever-changing schedule.
Because there are so many types of law, a career in the legal industry can also allow you to choose a field that interests you most. You can represent clients in real estate transactions, family disagreements, contract disputes, or even work with businesses in evaluating contracts. The services of a lawyer are always in demand as people must deal with contracts and conflicts regularly.
Whether you decide to pursue a career working as a lawyer, or you want to complete a law school education as a backup, the skills and knowledge earned from a law school degree can be valuable.
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Benefits of law school
There are many benefits of law school that go beyond even working as a lawyer, including:
Development of desirable skills
A law school education develops certain desirable skills that can be used in a wide variety of careers. Law school can help develop critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. it can also help develop analytical thinking, which can be applied to many industries. The law school also strengthens your reading, writing, project management, and problem-solving skills.
The law school also requires you to develop research skills, as you build cases and defenses based on prior precedents. Research skills are transferable to numerous industries.
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Learn how to review contracts
Contracts can be a part of daily life, whether you are accepting a new job or signing an agreement at work. A law school education can provide you with the research skills you need to learn how to review contracts. Most careers will require you to work with some type of contract and your training will help you review the fine print of each contract.
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Provide you with a foundation for further education
A law school degree can also be a good foundation for further education. Even if you decide to pursue a career in a different industry, law school can help you prepare for other them, including politics, finance, media, real estate, academics, and entrepreneurship. A law school education not only gives you the skills you need to do well in these academic programs, but it can also make you a more competitive college applicant.
Social change opportunities
A law school education can help you make a difference in your community. It gives you the knowledge and opportunity to take action on issues of social injustice and inequality. With a law degree, you have the chance to make a positive difference. This can also qualify you for additional positions within the community, as a representative or working for a nonprofit organization.
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Make you a competitive applicant
Being admitted and fulfilling the requirements of law school is no easy task. A law school degree can improve your credibility and highlight your dedication as an employee. Graduating with a J.D. can earn you respect and make you a highly qualified candidate, regardless of the type of career chosen. The hard work that goes into a law degree can also make you a highly competitive candidate for earning a promotion at work.
Development of soft skills
The law school also helps you develop certain soft skills, like self-confidence and leadership. The coursework and training provided in law school can make you a more confident and effective debater, presenter, and overall employee. Your education can also help with developing verbal and nonverbal communication skills as you learn to actively listen and prepare your responses.
A law degree also strengthens problem-solving skills, which are crucial in many careers. The development of these soft skills can not only make you a more competitive candidate in regards to your resume, but it can also make you a more confident interviewer.
Develop a better understanding of the law
By completing law school, you will also have a better understanding of the law and your legal rights. This could be beneficial when negotiating employment contracts or facilitating a work deal. Whether you are seeking a promotion at work or you want to pursue a new career, skills in negotiations and evaluating contracts are always desirable.
Additional employment opportunities
Even if you decide to pursue a career other than law, you will always have the option to return to the legal industry to work as a lawyer. While law school can develop your skills for many different careers, you may decide to pursue a career as a lawyer. Additionally, lawyers usually have a high average salary, which can be a bonus.
Opportunity for hands-on experience
Many law schools require internship experience, which gives you the opportunity to develop skills with hands-on experience. You will get the chance to work closely with people, solve problems and analyze information. During these hands-on experiences, you will learn to work with people of all types and find unique ways to solve problems.
An internship can also help you take soft skills and apply them in real situations. This gives you an advantage when applying for new positions, especially against other entry-level candidates.
The ability to network
Law school can provide you with valuable networking opportunities. In addition to the staff who come from all backgrounds, you will develop close working relationships with peers. These peers will go on to work in many different industries, which may be important to your career path. Whether you are looking for a new job or you need resources in your current position, your prior law school peers can be a good resource.
Develop entrepreneurial skills
Attending law school can provide you with a good foundation for becoming an entrepreneur. You will have the skills you need to review contracts, ensuring you always get the best deal. Your developed skills in negotiations and conflict resolution will also be useful as you build your business. Also, having a law school degree can make you a credible business owner, helping you earn the trust of your customers.