Are You Good with Numbers and Analytical Thinking? But Do You Lack a Law Degree? If this describes you, and you desire a career as an attorney but do not yet possess one – do not despair – there may still be hope!
What should you do? A career shift might be in order, as is evident with James who recently changed from finance to law with mixed results; even so, at times he regrets making that choice.
How to get a job in finance
Finance is an exciting field with high salaries, job security and career advancement opportunities. Additionally, this field boasts numerous jobs with steady demand projections; these jobs include financial analyst, personal financial advisor and investment analyst roles among others like loan officer, financial examiner and credit counselor roles.
Before applying for any position in finance, it’s crucial that you fully comprehend its requirements. Make a list of talking points about your educational background and any experiences relevant to securing employment; consider taking professional certification courses in order to become even more marketable in the job market.
Bachelors degrees are often the minimum educational requirements for positions in finance. Popular degrees include Bachelor of Science (BS) in finance or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Both programs cover topics like accounting, management skills development and law – perfect for anyone aspiring to a career in investment banking or money management.
How to get a job as a lawyer
Successfully shifting careers from finance to law starts with choosing a type of practice you wish to specialize in. A financial analyst working on securities would find it hard to transition into corporate law, which tends to work similar hours while demanding extensive business knowledge.
Many lawyers specialize in various areas, such as employment law, real estate or banking law. Bankers use financial lawyers to draft mortgage contracts, lines of credit agreements and investment agreements; additionally they monitor compliance issues related to bank regulatory requirements in different states and laws in relation to those contracts.
Moving from finance to law takes time and commitment. Most law firms offer rotational programs for new associates; therefore it would be prudent to start as a first or second year associate and move through M&A, capital markets, tax or any other group so you can gain an idea of their culture and workload before becoming a specialist in any one area. Furthermore, take as many classes as possible on what areas you plan to specialize in for maximum impact!
What is the salary for a lawyer with a finance degree?
A lawyer with a finance degree typically finds their income depends upon the area and type of law in which they specialize. Tax and corporate law tend to offer higher wages; however there are numerous other areas such as bankruptcy law; real estate law and intellectual property that also need an in-depth knowledge of finances.
Finance majors who aspire to become lawyers should begin by taking courses in legal theory and government systems as well as classes covering economics, accounting and micro and macro-econmics. A finance major may also benefit from working as a legal assistant prior to pursing their juris doctor degree – this way they’ll learn all about what goes into being an attorney while gaining valuable hands-on experience before becoming professional lawyers themselves.
What is the salary for a lawyer with a law degree?
A lawyer with a law degree can see their salary fluctuate drastically depending on the nature and location of their legal work. Generally, larger firms tend to pay more, as do attorneys specializing in certain fields; geographical location also can have an effect; lawyers in major cities tend to earn more.
Considering a career in law can be intimidating, so preparing early is crucial. Shadowing or networking with practicing attorneys and taking advantage of internship and summer job opportunities related to your future field are great ways to start building the necessary foundation. Many law schools also provide pre-law courses which can equip you with essential tools needed for success in law practice.
Learn “soft” skills and gain experience through clinical and classroom externships during your law school program to make yourself stand out among your peers and increase the odds of landing a prestigious firm after graduation.
