In an industry as specialized and high-stakes as law, you’ll probably have a hard time securing employment in the field without some sort of college education. Although some jobs in law may only need a diploma or associate’s degree, others may require post-secondary education credentials such as a Ph.D. or J.D. to qualify in the application process. Depending on where you live and what jobs are available in this industry, you may find that it’s hard to figure out what jobs are related to law that would be ideal for you. In a major city, getting your foot in the door as an administrative assistant in a small law office might not be as challenging as becoming a partner in a major law firm in a small town.
Beyond the question of what’s available, you need to think about what you would like to do in the legal field. Even though you might not need a college degree to be a custodian in a courthouse, that might not be the type of work you envision when you think about what jobs are related to law in your dream world. For the jobs in the legal field that are most exciting and make the biggest difference in the world, you may need a college degree and experience that catapults your career onto the trajectory that you desire. As
Working in Law without a College Degree
When you don’t know how to finance a college education or apply to educational institutions, you may wonder if it’s possible to work in law without obtaining some sort of college education. As you peruse job listings, you may find that it’s possible to qualify for certain positions like a correctional officer role or a custodial role in a prison or law office without a college degree. This can give you the false impression that going to college for law would be a waste of time if you only have vague goals of how you’d like to proceed when you know what jobs are related to law.
In the short term, you might be able to get an entry-level job in certain areas of law with minimal education. If you want to move forward beyond that role and become a lawyer, paralegal, judge, or other higher position, you’ll probably find that a low level of education or an average level of education like a G.E.D. won’t get you as far as you’d like to go. Although going to college can be expensive and take a lot of time, it can be worthwhile. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for scholarships or financial aid that help offset the cost of going to college. Getting a degree online can also help you enjoy flexible learning options without sacrificing your educational opportunities.
What Degrees Do You Need to Work in Law?
Depending on the position you aim to score, you may find that you need more or less of an education level to get an entry-level job in that field. For example, if your ultimate goal is becoming a lawyer, you may find that you’ll need to get a high school diploma or G.E.D., then an associate’s degree, then a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and finally a doctorate. If your hopes of becoming a lawyer seem too daunting when you consider that, it may be wise to dial your goals back and focus on something more attainable. You can always go back to college for a higher level of education later when you can afford to invest the time and money in that endeavor.
If you want a job that requires less education, becoming a paralegal or administrative assistant in a law office may make more sense. If you’d prefer to work in the prison system instead of other areas of law, you may find that you could get a job as a corrections officer with an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or an equivalent level of education. Everyone has to start somewhere, so don’t let someone else’s path or choices make you feel like your choices aren’t good enough. Some people may be able to go to school for ten years without a break to become a lawyer while others may need to take time off of schooling to work for a while or get some more experience in their field before they feel confident to go back to college. Although it can feel like a race to succeed, everyone’s going at their own pace.
Security Guard
If the idea of working in a charter school or public school sounds interesting to you but you still want to work in the legal field, becoming a security guard can give you the best of both worlds. While being a security guard at a school might not be the first answer you consider when you ask yourself “What jobs are related to law?”, it’s a viable option if you need a job and your local school is hiring. If you don’t love the concept of working in education, you could decide to get a security job in another setting. From your local shopping mall to the hospital emergency room to a restaurant in the middle of a major city, plenty of places would appreciate your skills as a security officer. Working in security can also be a great way to get some experience in essential skills that would translate to a career in law enforcement down the road.
Police Officer
If you like watching shows that center on police officers watching law enforcement dash cameras, you may think that you would also like to be a police officer. Working in law enforcement might not be the right answer for everyone who asks about what jobs are related to law, but it can be a good choice for someone who has an instinct to protect the general public and encourage others to follow the laws. Although being a police officer could put your safety at risk regularly, it’s rewarding to know that you’re playing a part in keeping your community safe.
Additionally, it can be a stable job that supports a household while providing benefits and other perks if you work full-time as a police officer. If you have plans to move within a few years, you should be able to find a job in law enforcement almost anywhere. This can make it appealing to folks who enjoy the idea of stability and security in their employment circumstances. Some police officer positions may require you to have an associate’s degree as a minimum. Others may require a bachelor’s degree in related studies, so you should do your research before you start taking classes if you’ve never gone into higher education before.
Director of Marketing
When you drive down the highway and see billboards for a popular personal injury lawyer, you might wonder who’s behind that billboard. As with any great marketing campaign, the most successful lawyers and law professionals need marketing professionals who can create a plan that works for their goals. When you think about what jobs are related to law, marketing might not be the first one that comes to mind. Still, it’s a necessary part of the field. If you have a communications or marketing degree, you’ll find that this job needs your level of education and expertise for you to thrive.
Criminal Defense Lawyer
If criminal law interests you when you’re investigating what jobs are related to law, you may want to think about getting the education to become a criminal defense attorney. At a minimum, you’ll probably need a doctorate in this area of law to practice it. You’ll also want to see if you can find a program that offers classes in criminal defense. Once you start looking for jobs, you may find it easier to become a public defender and work your way into a private practice. Criminal defense attorneys tend to have a high volume of work to get through, so if you don’t mind the challenge and stress, you’ll enjoy this area in the legal field.
Civil Law Attorney
Since someone needs to help write a prenuptial agreement and handle civil cases, one of the answers to the question of what jobs are related to law is being a civil lawyer. From divorce cases to custody cases, you’ll need a college degree to become a civil attorney and help your clients achieve goals that align with their best interests. Being a civil attorney means advocating for your client in family and civil matters, so it takes a delicate approach and a level of empathy to understand what your client needs during stressful life transitions.
Commercial Attorney
If you want to know what jobs are related to law and you like the area of business law, you may find success and happiness as a commercial lawyer. Alternatively, you can consult with businesses using your legal expertise in commercial law. As a commercial attorney, you can help small businesses or large corporations depending on your interests if you have the right level of college education for it.
Disability Lawyer
When you’re learning about what jobs are related to law, you may want to combine your passion for disability justice with your love of legal studies. In this case, working on becoming a lawyer who specializes in disability legal representation may be the perfect path for you. Disability attorneys assist clients with obtaining disability benefits and protecting their rights. Taking courses in accessibility studies and social justice can prepare you for this college career.
Probation Officer
In this role, you’ll be able to partner with DUI lawyers to ensure that their clients are following all of the terms of probation and not violating those conditions. You’ll also have the rewarding opportunity to see those who have gone through drug and alcohol court or other treatment options improve. Additionally, you’ll help keep your community safer by encouraging those who are dealing with addictions and other problems that pushed them to commit crimes to do the right thing as they navigate their probation terms. While you might not need a college education for it, having at least a bachelor’s degree could help.
Worker’s Compensation Attorney
To help contractors file a roofing claim or defend workers’ rights, you could become a worker’s compensation attorney. This will require a college education, including a doctorate in your field. As a related position, you could practice real estate law if you enjoy that area of law. Working in real estate, worker’s compensation, and commercial law are related. For this reason, you should decide which specific legal route makes the most sense for your interests and goals early in your legal education career.
Although the answer to the question “What jobs are related to law?” changes based on your goals, education level, opportunities, and motivation to enter the field, there are some basic types of jobs that you’ll find in the legal field in most areas. If you have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, it may be most natural for you to become a paralegal professional. In this role, you’ll be able to help lawyers conduct research, answer emails, and prepare for cases by preparing necessary documents. You may also have some clerical duties or client interactions that will make it easier to transition to other fields like customer service or administration if you decide to leave the legal industry at some point.
If you want to defend cases or call the shots in your practice, becoming a lawyer and getting on track to partner with a firm may be the perfect choice. For those who love to teach, becoming a professor of law at a university can help you satisfy your love of mentoring those who are entering the field while also allowing you to have a stable income. Regardless of how your love of legal studies pans out for you, having at least a Bachelor’s degree in a related field can help you gain experience in the field. With nothing more than a high school diploma, you may find that you aren’t the competitive candidate you could be for these jobs if you have an associate’s degree or a higher level of education.