Leveraging Your Non-Law Degree in the Legal World

May 23, 2024

Written By Jonathan McCarthy

With the incredibly diverse nature of work, high-profile deals and global impact, it's hardly surprising that a career in law remains a top choice among undergraduates. Perhaps you too relish the idea of a legal career but are pursuing, or already hold, a non-law degree? Fear not! This article will highlight the value of a non-law degree in the legal market, offer strategies for searching out and seizing opportunities, and provide guidance on building a successful legal career without a traditional law degree.

Understanding the Value of a Non-Law Degree

A non-law degree holds immense value for its ability to bring fresh perspectives, foster innovation, and encourage out-of-the-box thinking, crucial for navigating the constantly evolving challenges faced by lawyers on a daily basis.

Studying a different discipline before entering the legal profession equips you with a fresh mindset and the capacity for critical thinking when approaching challenges. It’s this ability that distinguishes good lawyers from exceptional ones.

Identifying Transferable Skills

The transferable skills you've developed during your studies will prove incredibly valuable—consider analytical skills, for instance. For lawyers, the ability to conduct thorough research, navigate extensive documentation, all while maintaining meticulous attention to detail, is indispensable. If your degree has been research-intensive, you likely have experience in this area already.

Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential components of a successful legal career. Regardless of your academic discipline, you've likely had ample opportunity to refine these skills through participation in tutorials and active involvement in a society.

Problem-solving stands out as perhaps the most crucial skill. Lawyers thrive on addressing challenges. These skills – analytical, communication, and problem-solving – are transferable and essential qualities that you'll want to emphasise in applications and interviews, as they translate directly to success as a lawyer.

Exploring Career Paths in the Legal Field

So, how do you take that first step into the legal field? Often, you'll naturally gravitate towards your area of expertise. For example, individuals with medical backgrounds might suit medical malpractice or personal injury. Similarly, STEM graduates typically pursue careers in intellectual property and patent law.

Paralegal roles serve as an excellent entry point into your chosen area, providing invaluable hands-on experience in a specific practice area. Opportunities also exist within compliance, legal operations, ‘Lawtech’, and policy analysis. These alternative paths can lead to equally rewarding legal careers by leveraging your legal skills in an alternative capacity.

Researching and Targeting Opportunities

To snag these positions, you need to be proactive and vigilant in your job search. Researching potential employers and job opportunities within the legal field is crucial, whether it's law firms, in-house legal departments, or not-for-profit organisations. Make a habit of regularly checking legal websites and job boards to stay updated on new openings.

Consider factors such as corporate culture, size, location, and practice area. You may prefer a fast-paced corporate environment within a large team, or perhaps a tranquil private client practice where you predominantly work independently. Ensure you thoroughly research the culture of each organisation and tailor your applications accordingly!

Networking and Building Connections

Building professional relationships through networking can open doors to job opportunities, provide insights into emerging trends, and lead to valuable connections within the legal community. Fortunately, networking events are regularly organised, so staying alert for these opportunities is key.

Networking is an art, and there are several strategies to master it effectively. Firstly, make an effort to attend relevant events where you can meet professionals in the legal field. Consider joining professional associations or organisations that cater to your interests or practice areas. Connecting with alumni from your alma mater can also be beneficial, as they may offer guidance and support in your career journey. Platforms like LinkedIn serve as powerful networking tools.

Importantly, remember that genuine connections are built on mutual interest and value. Take the time to show interest in others, ask thoughtful questions, and offer support or insights where possible.

Gaining Relevant Experience

Gaining relevant experience is essential to standing out, especially where you don’t have a non-law degree.

There are plenty of paths to gain experience and enhance your skill set: internships, externships, volunteer work, part-time positions, research projects, and extracurricular activities. Find what fits with your schedule and interests, and go for it – “every little helps”!

When gaining experience, maximise the learning opportunities available. Focus on honing the skills mentioned earlier, seek feedback from supervisors and peers, and build meaningful relationships with mentors who can offer guidance and support.

Pursuing Further Education and Training

Kick-starting your legal career and qualifying as a lawyer will require you to prepare for, and complete, some professional examinations.

For non-law graduates, conversion courses are vital to becoming solicitors or barristers as they bring you up to speed with the legal knowledge you will need in the profession. The most common law conversion course is the PGDL, which alongside similar conversion courses, teach non-law graduates to think like a lawyer and prepare for the reality of life in legal practice.

After completing the PGDL (or another similar conversion course), aspiring barristers will move onto the Bar Training Course (BTC) while aspiring solicitors will take on further preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE). Both are designed to equip you with the skills you will need for either role. They are offered at various institutions, and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Conclusion

Having a non-law degree will not stop you from having a successful legal career. On the contrary, non-law degrees are valued in the profession for the fresh perspectives they bring, their specialised subject knowledge, and the array of transferable skills they offer.

By understanding the value of your unique background, identifying the transferable skills it has given you and targeting the right opportunities, you can successfully leverage your non-law degree in the legal world!

For Non-Law Students