Alternative Careers for Lawyers

Using the Law Degree in Non-Practicing Careers:

• Alternative uses of the JD degree are as varied and individualistic as the students and lawyers who pursue the careers
• There are valuable and transferable skill sets from law school for many careers - and law students and lawyers can make the case to potential employers about the value of the skills
• The first step in using your JD in a creative way is undergoing self-assessment - formally or informally - to determine your goals and how best to bring together your experience, the law degree and your career desires
• Networking is an essential part of utilizing the JD in a non-traditional career path
• Be ready to explain what you learn in law school, what goes on in class, and how this can be useful outside the legal employment setting - never take for granted that non-lawyers will understand the law school environment
• Network before the job becomes available, so that the potential employer is already open to considering someone with a JD degree in a position that does not require one

Explore Alternative Career ideas:

• Pursuing a Values-Driven Job Search for Alternative Legal Careers
• The Before & After Resume:  Effective Resumes for the Alternative Career Job Search
• Most Typical Alternative Careers for Lawyers Nationwide
• Handling Tough Interview Issues
• From Lawyer to Administrator