For generations past, going into law was a great way to guarantee oneself of a lucrative career. This isn’t quite the case for millennials, however. With a surplus of lawyers in America, many millennial lawyers are calling audibles. Check out this list of 5 awesome alternative careers for lawyers if you’re thinking about leaving the law.
Commercial Real Estate
Real estate is a good alternative career for a lawyer because success is largely dependent on one’s communication skills. You likely developed strong persuasion skills in law school. All you have to do is transfer those skills to convincing prospects on the benefits of properties and you have yourself a lucrative career.
At JDCareersoutthere.com, a website dedicated to alternative careers for lawyers, they specifically suggest going into commercial real estate. Check out this preview of an in-depth video they have on entering commercial real estate, as well as other careers, available on their website.
Sales
Sales is another avenue where a law graduate’s persuasion skills are useful. Do you have the extroverted charisma most who go into law possess? If so, then you’ll have no problem succeeding in sales. Sales is also a broad field- you could sell anything from stocks to sports cars. You’re bound to find something you can get passionate about selling if you look hard enough.
Entertainment Agent
Do you dream of a career in Hollywood? Acting could be a potential career, but a more likely alternative for lawyers is being a representative for the stars of the silver screen. I know when I became obsessed with HBO’s Entourage in college my favorite character was Ari Gold- the high-energy, high-powered agent of main character Vincent Chase. Making millions off of actors and actresses while getting to mingle with them at the most exclusive nightlife spots looked like the dream job.
Obviously real life isn’t that glamorous, but it’s still an exciting alternative career for lawyers who are looking to put their negotiation skills and contract knowledge to use in a more rewarding career path.
Literary Agent
Becoming a literary agent uses the same set of skills as an entertainment agent, but it is generally a more low-key lifestyle. Authors tend to be more introverted, so you won’t exactly have to be a top socialite to entertain prospects and clients.
Your knowledge of how contracts are worded is useful as a literary agent because you are dealing with protecting intellectual property. Your expert knowledge of legalese comes in handy when negotiating publishing terms for your clients.
Entrepreneur
If none of those alternative careers for lawyers have appealed to you so far, then you may be made for entrepreneurship. A lawyer’s comfort with interpreting laws gives you an advantage when it comes to the more technical aspects of starting a business. Couple that with a lawyer’s natural charisma and persuasion skills, and you’ve got the makings of a successful businessperson.
Still haven’t found a career for you on this list? Check out this article containing 60 alternative careers for lawyers. And if you’re still set on becoming a lawyer, then you might want to read “4 Career Tips for Millennial Lawyers” by yours truly.
Let’s talk more about alternative careers for lawyers on Twitter! you can reach out to me at @Bpucino or through the comments section on here.
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