Many recent law
school graduates are finding it difficult to find legal work. Current news
stories are peppered with tales of law students facing bleak job prospects and
looming student loan payments.
Many are turning to non-legal jobs just to pay the bills. But are
non-legal jobs a glaring negative mark on your resume or an opportunity to
advance your career?
For recent law
school graduates considering non-legal jobs, here are a few questions you
should ask before you make the leap:
1.
Does this
job offer an opportunity to network with others in the legal industry? Sometimes non-legal jobs may offer recent
law school graduates access to the company’s legal counsel or customers who may
be attorneys. If so, this could be an opportunity to expand your social
network.
2.
Does this
job offer an opportunity to learn more about my specialty? Sometimes taking a job that is not law
related can offer you an opportunity to understand your area of the law in a
broader sense. For example, working at a community center that serves the
immigrant population may offer an opportunity to understand the challenges
facing recent immigrants navigating the American legal and social landscape.
For attorneys specializing in immigration law, this is an opportunity to gain
valuable experience and knowledge that could give them a perspective other
attorneys may not have.
3.
Does this
job offer me the opportunity to improve my negotiating, sales or other social
skills? A career in law requires a
person who is skilled at resolving disputes, creating deals and using
logic. Any job that will help you
significantly improve those skills may be worth taking.