what if you don't want to become a lawyer but you want to work with sexual assault cases

It's true: you can go to law school even if you don't want to be a lawyer. A JD can turbocharge your career prospects and teach you incredibly versatile and in-demand skills. Just ask Dina Megretskaia '23, a full-time financial planner and now part-time student at New England Law | Boston.

Full Answer

What if I don't want to be a lawyer?

One benefit of realising early on that you don't want to be a lawyer is that you won't have to spend hours applying for training contracts, going to law careers fairs, doing vacation schemes and all the other things that aspiring solicitors and barristers have to do.

Is a legal assistant a good job for You?

If you want to work closely with attorneys and provide crucial assistance to their caseloads, this is the perfect job for you. Your enthusiasm for the law and attention to detail, which you honed in your legal education, will not go unnoticed.

What degree do you need to become a lawyer?

Earn a bachelor's degree You'll need to have a bachelor's degree to apply for law school. Law schools accept students with a wide range of degrees. However, some of the most common undergraduate majors include criminal justice, English, economics, philosophy and political science.

What type of person are you as a lawyer?

If you made it through law school, earned an advanced degree or worked full-time while earning your bachelor’s, you are most likely a certain type of person — one who is hardworking, responsible, and a critical thinker. You pay attention to details. You are able to see different sides of a problem.

What should employees do if they feel that they have been sexually harassed?

Tell your harasser to stop. If you do not feel safe or comfortable doing this, do your best to make it clear to the harasser that the offensive behavior is unwelcome. Report the harassment to management and ask that something be done to stop it. Report the harassment to a person with decision-making authority.

How many rapists are convicted?

Factoring in unreported rapes, only about 6% of rapists ever serve a day in jail. If a rape is reported, there is a 50.8% chance of an arrest. If an arrest is made, there is an 80% chance of prosecution. If there is a prosecution, there is a 58% chance of conviction.

What does Rainn stand for?

Rape, Abuse & Incest National NetworkRAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization.

What happens during a SANE exam?

During the SANE Exam, the SANE Nurse will ask to collect a sample of your urine and blood. The SANE Nurse is sometimes helped by a lab technician to collect blood and urine samples. The lab technician will ask your name and birthday, and then will draw blood using a needle.

What does Fries stand for?

It is important to make sure that everyone involved is comfortable with the proposed activity before, during, and after. Planned Parenthood has created the acronym, FRIES, which makes it easier to remember the 5 key aspects of consent. FRIES stands for freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific.

What is the most unreported crime?

According to the American Medical Association (1995), sexual violence, and rape in particular, is considered the most under-reported violent crime. Common reasons for individuals not reporting crime include fear of not being believed, insecurity, and fear of getting into trouble.

How long does DNA stay on skin?

96 hoursKenna et al ( 3 ) found that salivary DNA persists on skin for a minimum of 96 hours, providing a sufficient window to collect and process samples. Swabbing a large area of the victim's skin surface, however, can yield a mixed profile of cells from both the victim and perpetrator. ...

How long does sperm DNA last in a woman?

After ejaculation, sperm can live inside the female body for around 5 days. The fluid in a woman's reproductive tract has all of the nutrients that sperm need for their survival during that time.

What is a SART test?

The Sustained Attention to Response Test (SART) was designed to form a simple, controlled and replicable measure of such lapses. In the test, participants view a computer monitor on which a random series of single digits are presented at the regular rate of 1 per 1.15 seconds.

Is RAINN legit?

Social Services | EIN: 52-1886511 | Washington DC. Mission: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.

How is RAINN funded?

This Web site is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Who started RAINN?

Tori AmosScott BerkowitzRape, Abuse & Incest National Network/Founders

What does RAINN do with donations?

How much of my donation will go toward programs and services? RAINN is committed to using funds responsibly to create and execute programs that make an impact in the lives of survivors of sexual violence, their loved ones, and the general public.

What to do if you went to law school and decided not to practice law?

If you went to law school and decided not to practice law, make sure that your potential employer knows you aren’t looking for these jobs just because you can’t find a job as a lawyer.

What are some alternatives to becoming a lawyer?

10 Alternatives to Becoming a Lawyer: The Flexibility of a Legal Education. What does one learn in law school? Yes, law, okay. But the principles of law are only the tip of the legal iceberg. Law school is all about building character and gaining a trove of life skills. Life skills that come in handy for law school graduates seeking alternative ...

What is the importance of law school?

Law school is all about building character and gaining a trove of life skills. Life skills that come in handy for law school graduates seeking alternative careers to a becoming a lawyer. The percentage of law students who end up working as lawyers has fluctuated significantly in the past decade. Around forty percent of law graduates do not practice ...

What is the job of an arbitrator?

If your favorite aspect of learning law was mediating conflict between two parties, this is the path for you. Acting as an informal judge, an arbitrator helps move a case along before it goes to trial. A Juris Doctor degree is not required, but this job is often held by someone with a law degree.

What are the skills you gained during your legal education?

Writing, negotiating and public speaking are valuable, but it’s not only the skills you gained during your legal education that will help you in both the legal and general workforce — it’s the character traits you built. Committing yourself to your education can be a challenge and if your goal is to earn an advanced degree, especially a Juris Doctor (JD), than the word “challenge” is an understatement. School (especially law school) is a place where one learns resilience and to push past perceived limits. It’s a place where you become you.

What percentage of law graduates do not practice law?

Around forty percent of law graduates do not practice law. This is partly due to the economy, with firms hiring fewer in-house lawyers, but it is also because more and more students are realizing the value of a law degree in countless other professions — from HR to government to business to teaching.

How to stand out in non-legal job applications?

To stand out in your non-legal job applications, and to show how your law school experience is indeed relevant, highlight the general skills you gained from each activity, rather than explaining the specifics of the activity.

Is law school just for aspiring attorneys?

In the millions of articles sharing advice about whether to attend law school, the majority seem to speak to one audience: younger people (in college or newly graduated) who know they want to embark on a grand journey to becoming a lawyer.

How can a legal education tie into other professions?

I work as a fee-only financial planner, helping couples and families navigate questions like, “When can I retire and how much can I spend?” or “Can I take big trips for the next five years while I’m healthy, or will that impair my dignity and independence in 25 years?” My work requires reading the tax code with precision and understanding how Massachusetts’ estate tax would apply to my clients’ estates.

What's law school like for a working professional?

On the subject of fitting law school into an already busy schedule, I’ve found Parkinson’s Law to be true: that, paradoxically, constraints can be accretive to innovation, and time to complete a task seems to shrink or expand to fit the available block on our calendars.

Why don't I want to be a lawyer?

One benefit of realising early on that you don't want to be a lawyer is that you won't have to spend hours applying for training contracts, going to law careers fairs, doing vacation schemes and all the other things that aspiring solicitors and barristers have to do. This gives you time to figure out what career you really want ...

What percentage of law graduates got jobs in 2009?

Data acquired by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) revealed that 54.5% of law graduates in 2009 got jobs in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector which, although including the legal profession, also covers accountancy, PR, advertising and recruitment.

What is law training?

Law trains students in research, analysis, criticism and communication. You have to engage in problem solving, memory recall and wider theoretical discussions - sometimes all at the same time. These skills are useful in all kinds of professions.

Should career decisions be rushed?

Career decisions are some of the hardest you'll ever make and should never be rushed. If you're having a bad time with your degree, you should look to speak to your university's support staff before making any big decisions.

1. Detective or Criminal Investigator

Investigators are often the stars of crime dramas on TV, and a criminal justice degree could help you if you want to pursue a career in the field.

2. Parole or Probation Officer

Probation officers work with adults or adolescents who have been placed on probation rather than being sent to prison, while parole officers help people who have been released from prison become reintroduced to society. They monitor an individual’s release and aid in their rehabilitation from prison.

3. Police Officer

If you are not interested in practicing law, you might be interested in enforcing it. Police officers are responsible for protecting public safety by enforcing laws and regulations and are easily recognized by their uniforms and their presence in society.

4. Fish and Game Warden

Becoming a fish and game warden could be an ideal career for someone interested in law enforcement but also enjoys nature. Fish and game wardens uphold fishing, hunting, boating and other laws to protect and conserve wildlife and natural resources.

5. Crime Analyst

Crime analysts gather and analyze data that could be used to help law enforcement agencies allocate resources, identify trends, prevent and solve crimes, and more. The career is very research-driven, and crime analysts will typically work behind the scenes to make sure that police officers and other professionals can carry out their work.

Helping People and Solving Problems

It’s not possible to say exactly what it will be like to be a lawyer in 3, 5, 10, 20 years. The problems lawyers address are constantly evolving, and thus, so are the skillsets.

Intellectual Curiosity

Lawyers should be interested in a broad range of topics and be willing to constantly learn more. Learn as much as you can about the things in the world that interest you, and law school will teach you the law.

Comfort with Text

Whatever kind of law you practice, you will need to be comfortable reading and digesting large amounts of often dense text, as well as writing and communicating clearly.

Attention to Detail

Lawyers have to be able to pay attention to details. It’s such a key skill that we would even say the best lawyers ENJOY attending to details.

Putting Yourself to the Test

So, what if you want to test yourself on whether you have the skills and orientation needed to be a lawyer before investing in law school?

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

To begin practicing as a lawyer, you'll first need to pass the MPRE, a 60-ques tion test that lasts two hours, to take a state bar examination. The bar exam is a rigorous assessment that tests a law school graduate's legal knowledge and competency.

What does a lawyer do?

A lawyer often acts as an advisor, giving legal counsel to clients and listening to their concerns. They need to show empathy and communicate complicated legal policies and procedures, making them easy for a client to understand.

What is the role of a law firm?

Most firms offer guidance and mentoring to new lawyers as they begin their careers. Working in a law firm allows lawyers beginning their practice to train with experienced legal professionals. Firms may also provide the training mandated by some states.

How do lawyers find small details?

Finding small details through analysis and reasoning might change the outcome of a legal proceeding for a client. Lawyers need to pay attention to the most minute details as they prepare a case.

What do you learn in law school?

Earning your law degree means a commitment to at least two and often three more years of school. During your first year in law school, you'll take courses on legal methods, laws and civil procedures. You'll also learn about torts, which are the acts that constitute a crime. Law students spend time studying constitutional law and the rights of individuals.

Do lawyers work during the day?

Lawyers work for billable hours and may need to perform duties throughout the day and into the evening or even during weekends, which is well past normal work hours for many other jobs.

Is public speaking a part of law?

Public speaking is a big part of a lawyer's job, so anyone thinking about getting into law should feel confident in their skills as an orator. Lawyers also spend a lot of time writing based on a complex analysis of laws and case studies. If you plan to enter law school, be sure you feel confident in both abilities.

What is the last step to become a lawyer?

The last step in becoming a lawyer is passing the bar examination. You will need to pass the bar exam for whichever states you would like to practice law in. For example, if you want to practice law in New York, you will need to pass the New York State Bar Exam.

What are the best courses to take to become a lawyer?

Some courses you can expect to take while earning your J.D. are: 1 Constitutional law 2 Courtroom procedures 3 Criminal law 4 Civil law 5 International law 6 Torts 7 Property and real estate law

How much does a lawyer make?

Average lawyer salary. The average salary for a lawyer in the United States is $70,336 per year, though some salaries range from $14,000 to $201,000 per year. Salaries may depend on experience level, field of legal practice and a lawyer's location.

What are the majors in law school?

However, some of the most common undergraduate majors include criminal justice, English, economics, philosophy and political science. Spend your undergraduate time taking classes related to the area of law you think you would like to practice.

What is the next step after a bachelor's degree?

After earning your bachelor's degree, your next step is to take the LSAT. It consists of five multiple-choice sections that cover topics such as reading comprehension, critical thinking and argumentation. It is administered at a testing location on a specific date through electronic tablets.

What does it mean to be an unnamed lawyer?

Unnamed Lawyer is a non-law graduate from a Russell Group university, who crossed over to the dark side and converted to law.

What is a bookworm law firm?

The technical brains of the average law firm department, these learned bookworms can often be lifesavers for junior lawyers who are not being supervised and who have no idea what they’re doing. Operating away from the frontline might prove frustrating for those who thrive on the cut-and-thrust of clients and deal-doing, but being the hub of knowledge and (in many cases) training within a department might appeal to those who get a buzz from all things academic.

Can a firm kick an old hand to the kerb?

There’s already some evidence to suggest firms won’t simply kick an old hand to the kerb if they don’t want to become a partner. Striking a deal with your firm under which you’re treated and remunerated better than the average associate and given the swanky title of “consultant” or “of counsel” on your email signature can be quite appealing and is definitely worth considering.

Is it important to make a formal complaint to the police?

It is important people know that making a formal complaint to police is not the only avenue. While it is clear the criminal justice current system needs substantial improvement, we also need to identify alternative ways survivors can be heard.

Do survivors feel taken seriously by police?

Many survivors feel they will not believed or taken seriously by police. For some, the experience of giving a statement is retraumatising and stressful. Survivors also express concern about how their workplaces and colleagues may respond, especially if the alleged offender is well-known. Read more: Four in ten Australians think women lie about ...

Can you fill out a sexual assault report in NSW?

In New South Wales, victims of sexual assault can fill out a form, which is available online and can be done anonymously. This form contains detailed questions about the offence, the offender and the victim, such as where the assault happened, what it it involved and whether the victim went to hospital. NSW police say these reports can be used ...

Is there a national standard for sexual assault reporting?

This means the interviewee’s story is told in their own words and open questions are prioritised over closed requests for specific information. Lastly, there is no national standard to alternative reporting options around sexual assault.

Can sexual assault survivors disclose their experiences?

Alternatives to a formal report. There are many alternative and informal ways that sexual assault survivors can — and do — disclose their experiences. At the more informal end, they can tell a trusted friend, family member, colleague, GP, counsellor or psychologist. This enables survivors to commence the recovery process in a safe environment, ...