Law

Attorneys can specialize in a wide range of areas from employment law to intellectual property law to immigration law and family law, and much more.

Many people who complete law school go on to become members of the bar and practice law. However, earning a law degree can offer opportunities outside of practicing law, such as legal consulting, management, writing and advocacy work. A law degree will help you develop analytical, communication, problem-solving, research, speaking and writing skills.

You can do more research on this field in the Firsthand Career Guide to Law and the Firsthand Guide to the First Year of Law School

Gaining experience

If you are thinking of going to law school, get involved in activities, jobs, research assistantships and internships that interest you. Pre-law internships for undergraduates are scarce because many of those opportunities are reserved for students who have already been admitted to law school and have completed their first year of coursework.

To gain experience, you can pursue any job, internship or leadership activity that builds research skills, verbal and written communication, or complex problem-solving skills, since these are directly relevant to what law schools are seeking. Recruiting timelines will vary based on the types of opportunities that most interest you.

It is common for recent graduates to take a year or two between graduation and when they apply to law school to gain additional professional experience.

Hiring process and timeline

Although the law school application process varies by program, it is recommended that you plan 12-18 months ahead before you apply, whether as a college senior or as an alum. It is common for recent graduates to take a year or more after graduation to gain full-time work experience before applying to law school.

Professional organizations and associations

Professional organizations and associations are membership-based groups comprised of people working in a similar field. They can be helpful resources for students to learn more about a field, develop connections and discover related opportunities. You can search for related organizations and associations using a database provided by the Princeton University Library.

Princeton Alumni