According to Indeed, it takes seven years to become a lawyer — this includes four years of undergraduate study and three years in law school. If you are like most people, you will probably have to work to support yourself during this nearly decade worth of education. Working in the legal industry during your studies can help you gain real-world legal experience.
The Bachelor of Arts in General Legal Studies and Paralegal Certificate program at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement (Tulane SoPA) can help you develop core skills such as legal research, writing, and analysis that can prepare you for job opportunities before, during, and after law school.
Learn more about legal industry jobs you can pursue while in law school.
Clerk
There are two common clerk types in legal offices and law firms — mail clerks and file clerks. File clerks help keep physical files organized so that they are easily retrievable when needed. Mail clerks process outgoing and incoming mail and distribute all mail to relevant parties. Being a clerk improves your organizational skills, which will be very important in your career as a lawyer.
Legal Receptionist
As a legal receptionist, you will work at the front desk in a law firm's waiting area; but you will be responsible for much more than just greeting clients and answering phones. This position requires specialized knowledge of legal operations, and you will be required to handle complex tasks such as handling legal files and transcribing client interviews and attorney notes. Your time as a legal receptionist will equip you with a broad understanding of the everyday operations of a law firm.
Court Reporter
You can become a court reporter with a high school diploma and some additional training — through a postsecondary certificate program or courses in your bachelor's degree program — making this position a valuable learning experience for you no matter where you are in your education journey. As a court reporter, you will spend your days in courts or legislatures writing word-for-word transcriptions of depositions, trials, and other legal proceedings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly income of a court reporter was $60,380 in 2021. Becoming comfortable in a courtroom environment will be essential in your future career as an attorney.