While some aspiring lawyers still join law school straight from college, most applicants are now starting after one year or more in the workforce.
A little full-time work experience can help applicants in many ways, from having more time to study for the LSAT and prepare their applications to developing the professional skills that law schools increasingly seek in incoming students.
It’s better to do some work, even on a part-time or unpaid basis, than to have long gaps in your resume that would require an addendum to explain.
[Read: Why Law School Location Matters.]
Here are five great jobs for a gap year to strengthen your candidacy before law school:
— Paralegal or legal assistant
— Research or policy analyst
— Teaching
— Community work
— Working for a startup
Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Working as a paralegal may be dry, demanding and high-pressure, but there are few comparable ways to get paid while engaging in legal work firsthand.
Paralegal work can burnish your resume and give you key insights into how legal offices differ in their culture, challenges, pace and expectations.
If you can’t find a position at a firm that specializes in a legal field that appeals to you, look to the kind of day-to-day legal work that best suits your interests and lifestyle.
Working in a legal office can give you firsthand experience of what it’s like to work in a law office, whether that’s in Big Law, at a boutique law firm or at a solo practice. While you might gain wide exposure at a larger firm, you might be able to take on greater responsibilities in a smaller office.
Either way, look for opportunities to work with clients — like intake or taking notes on depositions — to gain practical experience assisting the people you hope to serve as a lawyer. This can give you a leg up if you aim to join a legal clinic in law school.
Research or Policy Analyst
Whether you work at a think tank, nonprofit, public office or for a professor, a research position can hone two critical legal skills: analytical reasoning and writing. Even better, they may allow you to contribute to published work that will stand out on your resume or in responses to interview questions.
[READ: How to Write a Resume for Law School Applications.]
If you did not have a chance to write a thesis or major paper in college, a research position may help you show similar capabilities. Some schools, like Harvard Law School in Massachusetts, even ask directly about substantial written works you have produced.
Also note that research work can result in a strong recommendation letter since your supervisor will be able to vouch directly for the quality of your written work.
Teaching
Working as a teacher or tutor not only builds academic skills like planning and communication, it can also put you in a position of authority at a young age. Commanding a classroom may be intimidating at first, but it grants confidence and sensitivity to others’ needs.
The challenges of reaching students, particularly those who are underserved, can also make for a great personal statement. Think of all the compelling films and television shows about teachers — the relationships that they develop with their students can be dramatic and engaging.
Community Work
Law is a service profession, so law schools appreciate applicants with demonstrated ability to serve others. Whether through a political, civic or faith-based organization, assisting vulnerable populations can help you identify the causes that resonate with your values.
Such jobs tend to be exhausting and poorly compensated, which is why they make for great entry-level work. And since such organizations tend to be understaffed, there is often a lot of room for personal growth and taking initiative.
Applicants interested in careers in social justice may particularly benefit from grassroots experience before starting law school.
[What to Know About Diversity and Inclusion at Law Firms]
Working for a Startup
If you have a background in science or engineering, or if you’re interested in the financial or business side of law, consider a smaller firm. Joining an untested venture is the kind of risk that makes the most sense when you’re young, independent and mobile.
Growing businesses often confront legal and compliance issues that show how rules and markets interact in the real world. There’s also a good chance you can get a strong recommendation letter from a supervisor who can speak compellingly about your work.
These are just a few examples of the kinds of work well-suited for a year or two after college. There’s no harm in using that time to pursue a less-worn path, like volunteering overseas or coaching a youth sport, before tackling the challenges of law school.
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5 Gap Year Jobs That Prepare Students for Law School originally appeared on usnews.com
