@runnersmom I’ve read on that actually, is it true you should take a year or two off from school to get work experience before going to law school? That law schools prefer it if you do, rather than go straight from undergrad to law school?
Some law schools show a preference for students with work experience. Employers definitely do.
Agree completely with @Demosthenes49. Students with work experience, in my limited sample, do seem to have a leg up in admissions and they definitely have more to discuss in interviews.
@Demosthenes49 So it puts you at a disadvantage not to have work experience in the legal field before law school?
@runnersmom Are the interviews mandatory for all law school applications?
Yes, it does. That’s not specific to the legal field; employers everywhere like experienced workers.
Interviews are not offered or required at all law schools, but more and more have been making them part of the process. Unlike undergrad where you can often request an interview, in most cases you need to be invited to interview at a law school. When I mentioned interviews above, however, I was really referring to job interviews.
And to be a little more clear, you don’t need legal experience to apply to law school although some applicants have been paralegals, for instance. However, law schools do look favorably upon applicants who have worked in any field for a couple of years between graduating college and beginning law school. Northwestern used to be notorious for essentially requiring some work experience, though that requirement has been loosened in recent years.
@Demosthenes49 So its expected that you have some work experience not just internships from during law school?
@runnersmom Doesn’t being a paralegal require a Bachelors at minimum to get work or does having a certificate qualify you? I’ve heard about Northwestern and their preference for work experience, its why I’m worried about the rest, does the work experience necessarily have to be legal in nature?
It’s not expected, it’s just an advantage. Plenty of students with no work experience get hired. Chances are just better for those who have it.
No, work experience does not have to be legal in nature, and as @Demosthenes49 says above, it’s an addition to your application and resume, not a requirement. As for the requirements to be a paralegal, I have no idea but all the students I know who have been in those jobs prior to law school have done so post-college graduation. And while NU has historically preferred students with work experience (to the point of almost requiring it in the past), K-JDs are not unheard of in its more recent classes.
My kid always had interest in law, so every summer in college she had always interned at some legal offices and most of them were non-profit. She worked in legal aid, DA’s office, and the DA’s internship ultimately led her a 2 year job at an US Attorney’s office. She was admitted to a law schools which she was low in the LSAT scores. She was a splitter with high GPA. I do think her work at an US Attorney’s office helped her application, especially the LORs she received from the attorneys. Her experience should also help with her job search in the future.
FYI - some of those internships didn’t pay, but her college paid her for doing those internships. You should check out your school’s program for working at non-profit organizations.
@oldfort Wow, that’s amazing, was the 2 year job, what did it entail since it was before law school? I definitely will when I transfer, check that out.
@runnersmom What’s a K-JD? So most did paralegal work in between undergrad and law school?
K-JD is going straight through school with no breaks; Kindergarten-12, 4 years college followed by 3 years of law school
The 2 year internship job at an US attorney’s office was a paralegal job. She prepared a lot of exhibits, helped with briefs, and she even got to interview some witnesses. She had some exciting cases, especially when there were arrests involved. When there was a trial and it was one of her cases, she would need to keep the exhibits in order. She said the most frustration thing was when attorney went out of order. I didn’t understand everything she was telling me, but I guess they were very particular with their forms whenever they filed, so she had to be meticulous and organized. She loved her job. It only made her want to be a litigator. On top of that, the pay wasn’t bad either. She saved most of it for law school (not really going to make that big of a dent on 250K+) :).
During undergrad I worked as a secretary one summer at a law firm - my dad knew the main partner which helped. It wasn’t a glamorous job (few law jobs are) but it did give me some insight into a smaller, specialized practice which was helpful. I enjoyed that job much more than working at Arby’s at night and on the weekends (my other job that summer LOL).
Another idea, during undergrad at least, is to temp for a company that finds administrative assistants/paralegals for law firms in your area.
It is not necessary imho to have law-related gigs during undergrad (LSAT/GPA far more important), but it’s certainly possible that you will learn some things from the experience.
@oldfort Wow I thought most law internships were mostly clerical, that’s amazing. Did she apply for it, or get it through connections? Did she have a paralegal certificate or just a BA or both? Sorry for all the questions, jc 
@SouthFloridaMom9 Thanks! I’ve seen listings for paralegal/admin assistants, I guess maybe its a problem I have where I feel very uncomfortable putting myself out there and feel underqualified bc I’m a CC transfer.
OP, I’m not sure how you would be under-qualified provided that you are hard-working, can type, and can read/write effectively.
If anything you should be selective in accepting these types of positions. I’d look for a mentoring-type situation where you have chances to learn (while of course working hard and doing your best).
Keep a growth mindset! Wishing you the best.
@SouthFloridaMom9 Thank you!
My Triplets wants to study law in South Africa could you help us nobody wants to help we have twins and triplets naturally please help
I haven’t read all of the responses, I admit up front, but here’s my 2 cents.
- Why not get a law internship? That seems wise. Maybe working for a Big Law firm isn't in the cards as others have been saying, but the OP wants an internship and I say: Go for it.
- Interested in humanitarian international law? Maybe see if you can work for Human Rights, Now! They're an international group that does human rights work around the world and have internships. There are other organizations like that maybe locally. For example The Door helps immigrants and other groups. Look for work locally with immigrant groups and you will get probably get to at least observe how attorneys handle the cases.
- If that isn't in the cards for you, then see if you can help out a local judge. They often need help in the courtroom doing things. Non-attorneys can help and you can see what happens in a court setting.
- Also, see if there are other law organizations near you. You might be surprised -- advocacy groups for LGBT+ people; advocacy groups for women's issues; advocacy groups for environmental issues does affect humanitarian questions -- think of the Maldives sinking into the ocean. Where are those people to go? So maybe look at NRDC. Refugees fleeing on flimsy boats to various countries and shores. See if you can work with those relief organizations. Migrants fleeing poverty over the US border -- can you work with relief organizations that help them? Syrian refugees in this country?
Best of luck to you.
@Dustyfeathers Thank you, that’s really helpful, I’ll look into those for the summer and next quarter