Law

A person who studies law is typically interested in pursuing a career as an attorney. After earning a law degree, an attorney is responsible for advocating on the behalf of his or her clients. In this capacity, attorneys counsel their clients while also providing them with legal advice and representing them in court.

Many people who are interested in becoming an attorney choose to specialize in a specific area of the law. Some of these areas may include environmental law, international law, elder law, probate law, and bankruptcy law. The majority of attorneys, however, choose to become part of a private practice that focuses on criminal or civil law.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, attorneys earned a median annual income of $102,470 in 2006. Those who were involved in the management of companies and enterprises earned the most, with a median annual income of $128,610. Those who worked in state government earned the least, with a median annual income of $75,840.

In order to become an attorney, you must first complete a 4-year degree program and then three years of law school. Becoming an attorney also requires passing the state bar exam. Although there is no recommended course of study for pre-law students, it is best to pursue a multi-disciplinary major that includes coursework in areas such as public speaking, English, government, foreign languages, computer sciences, and mathematics.

A good candidate for law school is someone who is interested in becoming an attorney and is willing to invest another three years in his or her education. Those who have excellent communication skills and are creative, highly motivated, and capable of analyzing complex cases are particularly well suited to this career.