Law graduates leave university with the option to pursue a legal career or make use of their prestigious degree in another field. Law graduates have a lot to offer in both legal knowledge and hard-earned skills which make them suitable for a variety of careers.
What can a Law Graduate do?
Graduates with a Law degree leave university with an incredibly versatile range of skills earned over years reading and arguing over dusty texts and tomes of legalese. For a Law student, graduation means making a choice between pursuing a legal career or looking elsewhere for work.
Graduates looking to become a Solicitor or Barrister will need to undergo further training after completing their LLB. To become a Solicitor, graduates need to undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC) followed by gaining a Training Contract before they can be added to the Roll of Solicitors. To become a Barrister, graduates need to undergo the Bar Professional Training Course (BTPC) and then pupillage at an Inns of Court, after which successful pupils are called to the bar.
Law graduates who choose to go directly into the work force have an impressive mix of skills to offer which are relevant and desirable in a large variety of sectors. The business world is an ideal choice for Law graduates, as fields such as Accounting, Finance and Banking would benefit greatly from their analytical skills and their ability to be meticulous when working with detail. Law graduates who are competent with numbers will find these fields to offer many satisfying career options.
Law graduates are also highly sought after in areas such as the Public Sector and Management. These sorts of roles look for intelligent and driven applicants who are able to take reasoned approaches to situations and find the best way to tackle difficult tasks.
Client-facing roles are also a good option for Law graduates, as their excellent communication skills and versatility in understanding and reasoning equip them well for work in areas such as Consultancy and Sales. Graduates who think they would enjoy working with clients and the public on a day-to-day basis might find the work in these sectors to be a welcome change from university legal work.
Source HECSU - What do graduates do? 2013.
Taking Stock of Skills
Completing a legal degree earns graduates many finely-tuned skills which they can offer employers in a range of fields;
Analysis - Analytical skills are one of the essential elements of a Law degree. Whether it involves weighing arguments or picking apart cases from the 19th Century, Law graduates are able to comprehend complex legal issues, which is a skill valued in virtually any field.
Communication - No matter whether it is written or spoken communication, Law graduates are able to articulate complex ideas or concepts with ease and assurance. This grasp of how to communicate convincingly and effectively make Law graduates highly prized in many sectors.
Research - The research skills that Law graduates have developed will be up on par with the very best. Delving into case history and legal precedent to find and utilise information appropriate to a specific aim is a skill which many employers want to see.
Reasoning - The ability to reason between different arguments or conflicting stories and decipher and weigh each point of view is a skill many employers will value, as it has many practical applications in the working world.
