Your Future at Stake: How Do You Know if a Law Degree is Best for You?

A person needs a law degree in order to become a lawyer, but a person with a law degree doesn’t have to be a lawyer if he doesn’t want to. It’s important to make that distinction because it will enable you to accurately determine if a law degree is best for you.

5 Questions to Ask and Know if a Law Degree is Best for You

DO YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER? IF SO, WHY? MORE IMPORTANTLY, DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A LAWYER?
This series of questions is directed to helping you understand the motivations behind your choice. You definitely need a law degree if you wish to become a lawyer, but don’t stop asking questions after that. Ask yourself why you wish to be a lawyer as well.

Is it only because of the expected financial benefits? If so then you definitely have to think twice about the matter because financial incentives are never enough to make a person happy with his job.

Are you aware of what you’re getting into? Becoming a lawyer will first require you to have a pre-law degree which can be virtually anything although it would be ideal to choose something that will be related to the particular field of law you wish to excel at. After that, you’ll have to undergo three years of law school. And lastly, you’ll have to take the bar exams before you can officially become a lawyer.

DO YOU HAVE THE BUDGET FOR IT?
Getting into and staying in law school is very expensive. Because of its rigorous demands on a student’s time and efforts, some people might find it difficult to balance study and work if they wish to continue working while pursuing their law degree. If you need your job but unable to cope with working and studying at the same time then having a law degree may not be the best choice…for now.

ARE YOU READY FOR DAILY INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGES?
Contrary to what most people expect, having a law degree isn't always about getting into debates and having the quickest mouth or the best quip. Most of the time, pursuing a law degree is all about time-consuming research and analysis of complex situations. Indeed, 90% battles are won on paper and without requiring a lawyer to say a word. If you don’t think you’ll be happy about staying in the office for long hours reading seemingly redundant material then you just might not be suitable after all for a law degree.