The legal profession is diverse and dynamic. As a result, it continues to attract some of the most intelligent people into this line of work.
Contrary to popular belief, not all law students end up practicing law. After all, the skills and knowledge acquired from studying law are in demand in other industries.
People with a background in law can evaluate, absorb, analyze, and synthesize significant knowledge. As a result, they frequently have strong problem-solving skills and are effective communicators. All of these are useful and transferable skills, especially for those who may seek a career outside of law.
This, in turn, allows them to work as mediators, teachers, analysts, consultants, entrepreneurs and government leaders. But how do you do it? How does one use and expand their legal skillset to become more effective in their current job?
Seek networking opportunities
Networking isn’t always on everyone’s to-do list. It can be time consuming and often leads to awkward conversations.
Sometimes, when your calendar is already filled with family and job commitments, the last thing you want to do is speak with strangers.
Despite this, now and then, innovative processes and technologies emerge that can help your business stand out and become a global leader.
To maintain a competitive edge and keep up with these developments, you must constantly improve and upgrade your knowledge. Additionally, when you invest in your professional relationships, it can pay significant dividends over the course of your career.
Networking will also assist you in improving your law skillset, as well as help you keep up with current industry developments, maintain a close eye on the employment market, meet potential mentors, partners and clients, and gain access to the tools you need to advance your career.
Earn certifications
It is possible to widen your skills and abilities by earning professional law certifications too. Fundamentally speaking, certificates can result in better work opportunities. This is because it can establish a higher degree of competence, confirm specific expertise and improve your professional reputation.
Like it or not, education and work experience sometimes are not the only requirements for job seekers, especially when they are applying for a managerial position in a cutting-edge business organization.
For example, if you are applying for a Human Resource manager position, you might need several certifications to demonstrate your knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
Some certifications you can earn to improve your chances of landing the HR manager position include the Professional in Human Resources, SHRM Certified Professional and Strategic HR Leadership certifications.
Plus, getting certified can also help you gain more knowledge as you study and prepare for the test. In short, good certification programs are not only about getting a piece of paper or a designation after your name.
Earn an online degree
Earning an online degree is perhaps the most effective way to expand your skills without turning your life upside down. Unlike traditional educational programs, studying online is flexible and can fit around your schedule.
This is especially important for law students who are currently juggling multiple responsibilities but want to seek growth opportunities. If you want to earn a Juris Doctor degree but don’t want to leave your current job, taking an online law degree at Cleveland State University might be suitable as it is designed with affordability and flexibility in mind.
Considering that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% surge in the employment of law students from 2021 to 2031, an online JD degree might be an attractive option.
Now, you might ask what an online degree looks like. Depending on your chosen academic institution, some courses you will take include the following:
Torts
This course evaluates the three fundamental theories of civil liability. This includes strict liability, negligence, and intentional torts. It also considers problems of duty, causation, and defenses to the detriment. The course may also cover the overarching objectives of the torts system, the division of labor between the judge and the jury and the interaction between laws and standard law procedures.
Legislation and regulatory state
In this course, students will learn about the organizations and processes the modern administrative state uses to make laws. It looks at how Congress and the departments collaborate to create rules and how the agencies and courts collaborate to implement them.
The course also looks at the justifications for current regulation, the structure of the modern administrative state, the motivations that shape the actions of different actors, and the legal principles that guide the interactions between Congress, the organizations, and the court system. This includes how courts interpret laws and evaluate executive actions when parties impacted by the restrictions confront them.
Constitutional law
The broad concepts of the law of the United States Constitution, the role of the judiciary in constitutional concerns, government authority, the division of powers and state authorities are all covered in this course. It also focuses on intrastate commerce, fair trials, and equal protection.
Evidence
This course will help students learn about the guidelines governing what data witnesses can present during trials. It uses the Federal Rules of Evidence as its foundation. It also addresses fundamental aspects of evidence, such as relevancy and bias, oral exemptions, reputation proof and rights. Conclusions, the burden of evidence, court notice and testimony are also discussed in the course.
Admission requirements for these course programs will always depend on your chosen academic institution. The documents you might need to provide to enroll in the following courses include a Bachelor’s degree, an LSAT or GRE score, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, a resume and a final transcript showing a degree accredited by the Law School Admissions Council’s Credential Assembly Service.
Succeeding outside law
Many individuals have an underlying notion that law students can only pursue a legal career, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. You can succeed outside of law in a wide range of fields thanks to the skills you obtain while studying law.