Given the limitless career opportunities, choosing one law specialization can be quite a pickle. Should you go for civil law or intellectual property law? Which field is the most fitting for you? If you’re a first-year law student, it will be mandatory for you to enroll in almost all major legal topics. Then, as you progress through your college years, you may have the liberty to choose your courses according to your liking. Most law schools offer this choice to their pupils so they can dabble in the varying areas of the field.
You don’t have to start worrying about selecting a law specialization until your second/third year. Still, the earlier you take this career-defining decision, the better your chances of being a successful future lawyer within your chosen niche. Unfortunately, this decision can be a source of stress and confusion for many law students. And even after taking the bar exam, they can struggle to pick something. And so, here are some tips to help you select the most suitable law area for your future practice.
Experiment a little
You’ll be going over some law basics such as torts, criminal law, civil law, property law, and constitutional law in your first year. Besides that, you will be studying legal research, legal procedures, legal writing. These basics will provide a solid foundation for the following years and improve your understanding of the law. Then, every year after your first one will present an ideal opportunity to experiment with the law’s many intriguing areas. Consider making few diverse selections rather than just sticking with a single specialization. When it’s time to pick, all your experiments with different courses can lead you to a wiser decision.
Review your background
Past academic background and job experiences can be a driving force in choosing a specific law specialization. For instance, science degrees such as biology or archaeology may sway you towards the law’s environmental areas. Alternatively, a bachelor’s in business can help you develop a firm grasp of business and corporate law. And if you’re doing an online pre law degree like this one, you may be more inclined to tap into the criminal justice field.
Know your strengths and abilities
Focus on assessing personal abilities by searching within. Meaning, you need to recognize your individual weak spots and strengths. That way, your ultimate choice will neither neglect your unique qualities nor affect your future career adversely.
With a bit of help from relevant industry experts, universities will provide a curriculum catering to a respective field. However, it’s the students’ job to find and analyze that information to decide which specialization will be their best match.
For instance, someone is a remarkable public speaker and negotiator. This someone could be a likely candidate for litigation. But what if debating isn’t your piece of cake? In that case, you can choose banking and finance law since it concerns one-on-one discussions rather than public speaking.
Seek professional advice
The best way to make an informed decision is to look for attorneys specializing in different areas and ask them for guidance. These individuals can be excellent sources for all kinds of legal advice. Inquire about their specialization selection process along with the pros and cons of their work.
And if their specific choice interests you, you can ask them if there are any must-have skills or qualifications to excel in that field.
Let your passion take the lead
Your career will be reduced to another one of life’s heavy burdens if you pick a specialization that you don’t particularly like. And your entire life can turn bitter if waking up to go to your job doesn’t excite you. Don’t get the wrong idea here; money is essential for a decent living. But you and your career will thrive better in a field you’re passionate about. When you’re passionate about your job, you’ll be motivated to take all your career challenges head-on. Plus, you’ll find greater satisfaction and meaningfulness while working in a field that you like.
Consult school resources
In most cases, law schools are overflowing with resources that can guide you to making your mark in the legal community. For instance, you can consult the guidance counselor when selecting a law specialization. Discuss your past experiences, passions, interests, and expertise with them to arrive at a decision. Counselors can offer invaluable insights into different legal careers, including which ones suit your qualifications and skills.
Also, you can ask your counselor for mentor recommendations so that you can get a closer perspective on a specific field of law.
Check the pay scale
Tragically, the law has a relatively volatile job market, and employment opportunities tend to fluctuate with time. As some jobs continue to experience peaks in their demand, other sectors are becoming more saturated witch each day. So, remember to account for such cycles and seasonalities when selecting your area of specialization.
For instance, a lawyer presenting his first court lawsuit will have a different salary from someone associated with legal outsourcing. Overall, law careers are one of the most highly-paid jobs worldwide. The only factors that significantly impact the general pay scale are personal capability, reputation, and expertise.
The bottom line
Deciding on a legal specialization for your future practice can be a difficult decision. Fortunately, you’re not alone in your endeavor. This article provided some tips to navigate these testing waters. Some of these tips include employing advice from resources like your school’s counselor and established legal professionals.
Moreover, law aspirants need to consider individual strengths, educational background, and interests while choosing. It’s impossible to select a legal specialization in an instant. You need to be patient and take time to arrive at a decision you’re confident about.
