To study law is to learn the rules and regulations of what is considered to be true, fair and just. The law is what governs our society, regardless of our wealth or social standing. Depending on where you complete your studies, your path toward becoming a practicing solicitor may look slightly different. What most law students have in common however is the fierce competition they will have to endure for both education placements and for later employment.
It is very important to enter an education in law for the right reasons. If you are entering the profession for the pay checks or the prestige, you will find completing your studies a tough challenge. In order to succeed, it is important that you truly enjoy the reasoning and interpreting of complicated text, which is necessary to complete the challenging course of study required.
Legal Careers
The most common career path to enter into as a graduate of law, is that of the solicitor, or lawyer as it is more commonly called in the United States. Generally solicitors are employed in a law firm, but other organizations such as large corporations and non-profits often employ their own legal staff. Law graduates are also particularly popular within business, due to their well-rounded understanding of society, and their flexible skill base.
What is not to be forgotten however is the harsh competitiveness on the job market. There are many law graduates in training, and in order to secure a good position, you will need a good degree. With mediocre grades, you will have a hard time competing for the jobs you really want.
Studying Law
Studying law in preparation for a legal career can look very different depending on where you choose to study. In some countries, mainly those influenced by the
UK, it is common to start your legal studies with a bachelor degree in law, followed by one to two years of the Legal Practice Course. The latter is where you can choose to specialize in a specific area of law such as corporate, environmental or criminal law. If your undergraduate degree is in something other than law, you can complete a conversion degree of one year (two years part time), followed by the Legal Practice Course. The system in, for example Germany is very similar.
If you choose to undertake your legal studies in the
United States however, your choice of undergraduate degree is fairly irrelevant. Common majors are
history,
international relations or
sociology. Your first degree then leads you on to law school, provided that your grades are sufficient as competition is harsh. The one thing considered most important when entering law school is often that you be "well rounded" with a broad understanding and a keen interest in the world around you, sociology, history, and politics in order to succeed.
In the US, as in many other nations, you must complete an official exam, which grants you the qualification to practice law in the national court system. This exam generally qualifies you to practice law, only in the significant country - not in foreign courts.
International Careers
What you must remember is that law is not as internationally transferrable as other disciplines. Each country has its own laws, legal system and requirements in order to practice law. The perhaps most transferrable branch of law is international and human rights law. This applies across borders and to many nations.
Sources:
http://www.studis-online.de/Studienfuehrer/jurastudium.php#denken
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law
http://www.abanet.org/legaled/prelaw/prep.html
http://www.he.courses-careers.com/law.htm
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