Choosing Career Paths in the Legal Profession: What You Should Know

Adedimeji Quayyim Abdul-Hafeez is a student of Common and Islamic Law in the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin. He receives mails at quayyimadedimeji@gmail.com and tweets on Twitter @quayyimbakr.

Being a legal practitioner is a very tasking endeavour and the numerous fields in the legal profession may make the quest strenuous. As a law student or a legal practitioner preparing to delve into the learned profession, it is crucial and important for you to choose a career path in the legal profession where you could exert your expertise and practice. Here is a compilation of nuggets on making the decision of choosing the suitable career path in the legal profession and how you can navigate through the process.

1. It is normal that you have no direction yet

Choosing a career in law may be quite burdening and you might not have had it figured out, yet. Picking specific fields as core interests is tough and budding professionals might be caught in the turf of perplexing difficulties, making it uneasy to carve out niches around these interests.

All these are normal, and you should keep your hands off the panic button. Choosing a career path requires a lot of tact, and it is normal if you have no direction yet. Haste in making career decisions may land you in a career unsuitable to your talents and interests, and could restrain the essential creativity and versatility needed to navigate your career. So, lay in waiting and explore different experiences. You are on the path of figuring out the best career for you.

2. Identify your interests

In the journey towards choosing your career path, it is important you identify where your interests lie and to discover aspects of the profession you are passionate about. You have to find the interests you do feel comfortable to study or discuss, and you should ensure you participate in activities that align to those interests. This goes a long in building yourself as an emerging professional in a chosen niche, and ensure that the interests you choose align with a niche you are comfortable with.

3. Participate in extra-curricular activities

Your academics are important, but as you would discover, not all are taught within the four walls of the lecture room. Lecturers mostly teach in theories and it is your duty to ensure that these teachings are put into practice so that you are prepared for the professional legal market. Extra-curricular activities provide the opportunity to hone your practical skills and gives you the medium to meet individuals with whom you may have aligned interests in the legal field. It gives you an edge when you seek employment, as it portrays you as an individual who is experienced, albeit little, in the field you choose to practice. It also affords you the opportunity to build relevant connections and relationships, which could aid you in your professional journey. However, you must be very careful not to allow these activities cripple your academic ratings, so it is important that you find what works for you and switch things up.

4. Connect with professionals on the field

Relevant connections are important and to build yourself in the field you aspire to hone your nest, you have to network and build relationships with professionals on the field. Professionals in your field are versed in the way the profession works and have rare insights on how you can attain the peak in your career because of the experience they have gathered. Connecting with these professionals would guide you in what works in a particular field and give you the opportunity of getting advice on choosing and settling in your niche (if you are diligent). These connections would come in handy whenever you are looking for a job, as they would be willing to refer you to suitable places of employment. Also, they would be willing to serve as your referees, who could recommend you and attest to your behavior and character. You could also find mentors amongst these professionals, who could guide and direct you in the ways of the field.

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5. Follow your gut

In all that you do, it is important for you to know that what you want to choose would work for you, and that you would be comfortable in navigating the murky waters of the career path you choose. Be intentional about your self-development. Believe in your skills and what you are capable of achieving. Do not choose a path because it worked for someone else, because what works for one individual may not work for you. Trust your gut, as what you believe would drive you to choose the perfect path and give you the zeal to push through to the peak of your career path.

These tips, if followed, would guide budding professionals choose paths suitable to them and find the right interests that suits the aspect of law they wish to practice in. It would also go a long way in building them for the rigours of the field and would make them ready to contribute positively to their career path, thereby building professionals who would contribute immensely to legal practice and development.