For sixth form college students in London and around the UK, the pressure to know what steps to take after A levels can be a bit daunting. Deciding what subject to study at university is the first step towards committing to a specific career for many, but it can also be the opportunity to learn skills that can be transferred to many different fields.
For A level college students who wish to study law, there are many opportunities once entering the world of employment. The number of law graduates far outweighs the demand for practicing lawyers, resulting in a great number of graduates entering careers other than Law. Law is a very competitive profession, and it can be intimidating for all but the bravest. The good news is, a law degree comes with a fair amount of clout because of its rigour, and that alone has the potential to open doors. It is also certain that law graduates will have acquired a set of skills whilst studying that will make them an asset to employers in a wide range of employment.
Knowing the law
Having a grasp of legal concepts is not just useful for those who seek a career in law. There are elements of law and policy in every industry, and those who are familiar with legal matters will be an advantage for any employer. It is not important to have in depth knowledge of all areas of law, but being able to demonstrate knowledge of key elements will work in an employee’s favour.
Problem solving
Being able to think outside the box and solve problems makes an employee an asset to any company. A former barrister was quoted in The Independent as saying a law degree is “excellent training for the mind”, noting that it is easy to spot someone who has a law degree due to the way they think. This is a skill that can be applied in various ways, in addition to an ability to apply logic and reasoning
Attention to detail
If there was such a thing as a league table of transferrable skills, attention to detail would sit somewhere near the top. Regardless of the industry, companies will always be on the lookout for candidates who can demonstrate an ability to pick up on seemingly insignificant details that others are may miss. Small mistakes can lead to bigger issues, and someone who is able to act quickly to prevent situations escalating will always be a considered a good find.
Project management and teamwork
Studying law requires the ability to manage massive workloads and change priorities where necessary; these are skills that have proved to be invaluable when project management is involved in a role. Teamwork will have also played an important part in a law student’s degree course, which is something all companies are keen for candidates to display.
It is important that law school graduates think carefully about what they will say to potential employers when asked why they have decided to not pursue a career in law. They must be able to state clearly that even though they do not wish to work in law, the skills they have acquired whilst studying their degree will be of great benefit to that company. When sitting across from what could be a future employer, applicants must outline what experiences led to them making the decision to change focus, using what are sure to be excellent persuasive arguing skills to state their case.
Source:
The Independent – Legal education: A law degree can be a perfect route to a career in other fields
