Law: Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Solicitor, solicitor, Scotland - advises clients (individual and corporate) on legal aspects of their personal and business affairs and conducts legal business and negotiations on their behalf.
• Barrister - has rights of advocacy, presenting cases in court under instruction from a solicitor or another designated professional, and may specialise in different areas of law, such as: criminal law; common law including family, housing and personal injury law; chancery law; and commercial law.
• Barrister's clerk - responsible for running the administration and business activities of a barrister's chambers. Must be familiar with court procedures and etiquette and must also develop an expertise in the type of law undertaken by their chambers. The role is integral to the success of a set of chambers, both as a legal practice and as a business.
• Chartered legal executive (England and Wales) - initially works under the supervision of a solicitor or senior legal executive, but becomes a qualified fee-earner with direct responsibility for client files. Common areas of specialism are conveyancing, civil and criminal litigation, family law and probate.
• Licensed conveyancer - legal specialist who works on behalf of clients buying or selling property (houses, flats, business premises or land). Deals with all the legal matters, paperwork and queries involved in a property transaction.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Advice worker - provides free, impartial and confidential advice to clients on a wide range of issues, depending on the working context.
• Trading standards officer - acts on behalf of consumers and businesses to advise on and enforce laws that govern the way goods and services are bought, sold and hired.
• Chartered accountant - provides professional services to a wide range of fee-paying clients, including audit/assurance, tax, business advisory and management consultancy.
• Patent attorney - obtains and enforces intellectual property rights on behalf of either individual inventors or organisations.
• Police officer - works in close collaboration with communities to maintain law and order, protect members of the public and their property, prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
• Human resources officer - develops, advises on and implements policies relating to the effective use of personnel within an organisation.
• Civil Service fast streamer, Civil Service administrator - works with and for agencies and departments of government.

Other options

The law affects every aspect of our lives, so you could put forward a strong argument for the knowledge gained through your studies enhancing performance in virtually any job. For example, understanding and being able to apply health and safety or employment legislation would be equally helpful for a restaurant manager, healthcare administrator or construction project manager.

Research the career area you are interested in thoroughly. Some careers, for example, teaching or accountancy, will require further vocational or professional training. For other careers, such as marketing, journalism or human resources, you will need relevant work experience. It may also be useful to take a postgraduate course to develop specific skills and knowledge.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.