Alternative Careers

So, you went to law school for three years. You got this fancy degree. Yet maybe the lifestyle that goes with practicing law isn’t for you. Maybe you just need to take a break because of your mental health. Not to worry, being a lawyer isn’t the only thing you can do with a law degree.

For one thing, you can start your own business or non-profit like yours truly. Another thing I have done outside the traditional practice of law is copywriting for legal websites. This allowed me to combine the research and writing skills I learned in law school with the flexibility of setting my own schedule. And these are just alternative careers that I have pursued, which just begins to scratch the surface.

Other options are to go into policy work, which is something often sought after by non-profit organizations, government agencies, politicians, and more. Or, if you want to go the government route without being a policy guru, you can also work as a regulatory investigator for administrative agencies.

Of course, these are all professions that utilize skills learned in law school without the actual practice of law. However, merely learning to “think like a lawyer” can be a highly marketable skill for any number of jobs, from education to business and beyond.

And I write this because some people feel like they are trapped in the legal field because of this very expensive degree. Some end up staying, even if they find themselves in a toxic situation that is harmful for their mental health. Yet if you are able to get through the rigors of law school, I’m willing to bet there is no shortage of things you could succeed at. And trust me when I say that protecting your mental health will always be more important that chasing a career.