As a 17-year old who wants to play a major role in the competitive field of law, there are certain steps that I must take in order to reach my career goals. These things don’t have to be major, but they are helpful and will benefit me in the future.
1. Explore the Field — There are many different types of law, some more competitive than others, some time-consuming, and some just exhausting. This is why I intended to start my exploration early. I did research on salaries for those jobs and what their lives look like on a day-to-day basis.
2. Meet the Career — I have family who are lawyers, allowing me to see both the pros and cons of the field. However, you don't need to be related to a lawyer to meet one. I began attending summits at the Brooklyn district attorney's office. While there, I was able to both discuss major time-relevant issues and also ask the district attorney questions about his job, allowing me to network.
3. Join Extracurriculars to Help Build Skills — There are many activities that may contribute to a successful career as a lawyer. These include leadership, writing, public speaking, and more. You can try to match each skill with an extracurricular. For leadership, you can start a club or a passion project where you lead a team as you make an impact. As for writing, join the school newspaper as it strengthens both writing and also research skills. For public speaking, you may join Model United Nations or debate.
4. Plan College and Law School — Going into law requires 7 years of schooling (4 in undergrad and 3 in law school). However, since the field is so competitive, what law school you attend matters.
So, when applying for undergrad, find a school that will push you in the direction you need. That can include schools with good pre-law programs, great internship opportunities (those are normally closer to larger cities and state capitals, and important people. Although all this may be stressful if you take the initiative early, it makes the process so much easier as you set yourself up for a future in law.
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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