Should I Go to Law School?
This is a difficult question to answer. Some people claim they've always wanted to go to law school or be a lawyer. Most people struggle with this decision right until they attend law school. And after law school, some graduates are still unsure if they specifically want to be a lawyer, or another profession related to law.
For some assistance figuring this question out, you can take our free Should I Go to Law School workshop (open to all U of M students), or the 2-credit Law School Exploration class.
If You Want to Be a Lawyer, Ask Yourself These Questions First
One of the best way to determine if
you want to be a lawyer is to consider the skills you have to develop in order to be a competent lawyer.Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do I enjoy working closely with people regarding significant events or issues affecting their lives?
2.
Can I empathize with a client's situation; yet have the ability to
objectively analyze the issues and their consequences in light of the
existing law?
3. Do I enjoy educating or teaching a person about
a subject about which he or she may be ignorant or have significant
misconceptions?
4. Am I able to articulate in a clear and concise
manner my analysis of a problem to others, whether it is verbally or in
writing?
5. Do I enjoy being an advocate? Can I argue both sides of the questions with enthusiasm?
6. Do I like detail work? Do I enjoy searching for the facts of a situation?
7. Do I like to read and study?
Career and Interest Assessments
Consider
taking a personality or interest assessment, which will help you figure out which career paths might be a good fit for you. You can take the Myers Briggs Type
Indicator (MBTI) or the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) for a small fee. If you're a student in the College of Liberal Arts, learn all about these assessments here, or visit the Career and Community Learning Center's 135 Johnston Hall office. All other U of M students can visit University Counseling and Consulting Services.
