What type of career can I have with a law degree?

[BarbieLovesKen]

Does it necessarily have to be in the legal profession?.

I dont have it yet, but am trying to make some decisions/ put some solid plans in place.

Im in a clerical/ admin position for the health service but cant see it ever turning into a high flying career.

I am atttending University at night studying for my BA in Law, the course is 3 years for the degree or 4 years, should I want the honours degree. Im over half way through year 2.

I probably havent thought this through very well but I dont actually know what I want to do with it afterwards. To become a Solicitor or Barrister actually getting the degree is only a stepping stone and Im looking at a lot more studying/ exams afterwards and an unpaid internship (which isnt feasible with 2dc, another one due in June and a nice mortgage).

I figured even if I didnt intend to get into the actual legal profession, a law degree would look good on paper and give me that competitive edge but now Im not so sure exactly what I can do/ where to go with it. Most of those in my class have very definate ideas on what they want to do once we graduate.

Which makes me feel like a bit of an idiot .

Id really appreciate any advice. Am in Ireland btw.

I dont know if it's the same in Ireland but in the UK you need a LLB in Law rather than a BA to qualify as a lawyer.

You could be a legal academic or any of the careers open to all graduates like working in farmfoods.

As far as Im aware, after the honours degree, I would need to obtain a 2 year internship with a solicitors (which are apparantly like gold dust), sit exams called the FE1's (which include a couple more weeks of classes too) and obviously pass before signing on to the solicitors roll.

If you are looking to a graduate type career you would most likely have to do further vocational training after your degree even if you don't become a practising lawyer.
A law degree would be a good academic entry into most public and private sector areas.

You don't need an LLB in the UK. You do need to ensure that the degree course gives you a "qualifying law degree". Some BA law degrees are qualifying law degrees, others are not.

I did a law degree some years ago, apart from solicitors and barristers the variety of careers among my classmates have included: an MP, a primary school teacher, a tax inspector, fast stream civil service, merchant banker, theatre director and accountant. By the way not all lawyers have to be high fliers; I know people who work for charities or in the public sector who are still reasonably well paid. It depends what you are interested in and the type of client you think you would relate to. It is not just the high fliers who get the training contracts - analytical and inter-personal/communication skills are really important.