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What is the best way to approach applying to law schools if I want a career in advocacy work?
Hello everyone! I am currently a junior and I am getting ready to apply to law schools in the fall. I really want to go to law school. I am not interested in big law but in terms of advocacy I can see myself working in housing, education, or anti-poverty generally. Although I know I don't have to attend law school to be in that field, I think it is the best path for me, but I am not entirely sure how to navigate it. Most of my searches about applying to law school have shown results that seem very focused on building a career in corporate law as the final goal but I know that life is not for me.
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Michelle’s Answer
Maureen,
I can give you advice about the things you want to do. What will you have your Bachelors Degree in ? That's absolutely very important to advise you correctly and further.
Do not go to Law School. You don't want to be a Lawyer and that is what Law School is for. It doesn't benefit anyone to go to Law School that doesn't want to be a Lawyer, so I gladly re-direct you on that. You need to be better informed about careers and the paths to take, but it would help greatly if I knew what your Bachelors Degree will be in. Let me know in a comment below.
About advocacy. Advocacy IS NOT a career, it is a skill and job duty within a career. Advocacy is not something that is an idea, it's a need. You don't begin by thinking of these needs, you find out what people need advocacy for and work with whatever issue your client needs. Remember that you'll need to choose a CAREER for which advocacy can be part of that career.
Again, this will depend greatly on your undergraduate major, but there are some careers that entail the use of advocacy within the job. One is Social Worker or a social services Case Manager. Another would be to become a Director of a social service agency or a grant writer for non-profit agency. Other careers can be as a Victim Advocate, Researcher, Guidance or Academic Counselor. You can even go into documentary filmmaking or reporting in either legacy or independent media, or journalism. For these careers, you wouldn't always be utilizing your advocacy skills, however, just when a need came up.
Since you sound open to continuing with college, you can get your Masters Degree in some sort of Counseling or Psychology Degree. It'll depend on what your Bachelors is in as well as the specific area you'd want to work in at a career that entails more than just advocacy. Advocate type positions are generally connected to a social service, physical health organization or a community service of some kind. A good Bachelors Degree would be in Social Work, Political Science or Psychology. That would connect wonderfully with the masters programs I've mentioned and prepare you to have opportunities to incorporate advocacy during a career.
There are different ways to do advocacy. One on one for a client as you speak with other service providers on the clients' behalf, presenting trainings to groups to teach them about various issues or subjects or being part of community or government organizations' event at which you speak publicly to an audience. So you will need credibility and this takes a lot of networking within the field of work you choose.
I hope this helps a bit to get things in perspective and I wish you all the best !
I can give you advice about the things you want to do. What will you have your Bachelors Degree in ? That's absolutely very important to advise you correctly and further.
Do not go to Law School. You don't want to be a Lawyer and that is what Law School is for. It doesn't benefit anyone to go to Law School that doesn't want to be a Lawyer, so I gladly re-direct you on that. You need to be better informed about careers and the paths to take, but it would help greatly if I knew what your Bachelors Degree will be in. Let me know in a comment below.
About advocacy. Advocacy IS NOT a career, it is a skill and job duty within a career. Advocacy is not something that is an idea, it's a need. You don't begin by thinking of these needs, you find out what people need advocacy for and work with whatever issue your client needs. Remember that you'll need to choose a CAREER for which advocacy can be part of that career.
Again, this will depend greatly on your undergraduate major, but there are some careers that entail the use of advocacy within the job. One is Social Worker or a social services Case Manager. Another would be to become a Director of a social service agency or a grant writer for non-profit agency. Other careers can be as a Victim Advocate, Researcher, Guidance or Academic Counselor. You can even go into documentary filmmaking or reporting in either legacy or independent media, or journalism. For these careers, you wouldn't always be utilizing your advocacy skills, however, just when a need came up.
Since you sound open to continuing with college, you can get your Masters Degree in some sort of Counseling or Psychology Degree. It'll depend on what your Bachelors is in as well as the specific area you'd want to work in at a career that entails more than just advocacy. Advocate type positions are generally connected to a social service, physical health organization or a community service of some kind. A good Bachelors Degree would be in Social Work, Political Science or Psychology. That would connect wonderfully with the masters programs I've mentioned and prepare you to have opportunities to incorporate advocacy during a career.
There are different ways to do advocacy. One on one for a client as you speak with other service providers on the clients' behalf, presenting trainings to groups to teach them about various issues or subjects or being part of community or government organizations' event at which you speak publicly to an audience. So you will need credibility and this takes a lot of networking within the field of work you choose.
I hope this helps a bit to get things in perspective and I wish you all the best !
Updated
Terri’s Answer
Hi, Maureen,
Many law schools offer programs in different types of advocacy, not just big law and corporate law. If you want to stay in a specific geographic area, it's often useful to attend a local law school so that you can network with the local attorneys. Start by researching and visiting these schools, even online. Talk to admissions counselors about the school's focus areas and the opportunities for classes, externships, and clinics that match your interests. If you're open to different locations, LSAC provides virtual meetings with law schools nationwide, where you can ask similar questions. Also, try to speak with students who share your interests. They can share their experiences and how these have helped them build skills and find jobs. It may seem like schools only focus on corporate and big law, but that's not the case for every law school.
Many law schools offer programs in different types of advocacy, not just big law and corporate law. If you want to stay in a specific geographic area, it's often useful to attend a local law school so that you can network with the local attorneys. Start by researching and visiting these schools, even online. Talk to admissions counselors about the school's focus areas and the opportunities for classes, externships, and clinics that match your interests. If you're open to different locations, LSAC provides virtual meetings with law schools nationwide, where you can ask similar questions. Also, try to speak with students who share your interests. They can share their experiences and how these have helped them build skills and find jobs. It may seem like schools only focus on corporate and big law, but that's not the case for every law school.
Updated
Madeleine’s Answer
Hello Maureen,
Even though I didn't study law, I have a B.S. in English, language and literature, and an associate degree in business. My experience as a peer advocate in mental health has been rewarding, and I've had the chance to speak with Michigan senators and professors at U of M Flint during my journalism career.
There are numerous advocacy groups like The Southern Poverty Law Center, Human Rights organizations, and Change.org, among many others. In my writing, I've been exploring the Medicaid/Medicare issues in Michigan. Housing is a major concern for the impoverished and disabled everywhere. I encourage you to consider that there are many paths to gaining experience in advocacy. If you choose to pursue a law degree, your research will make your arguments even stronger. I hope this inspires you.
Even though I didn't study law, I have a B.S. in English, language and literature, and an associate degree in business. My experience as a peer advocate in mental health has been rewarding, and I've had the chance to speak with Michigan senators and professors at U of M Flint during my journalism career.
There are numerous advocacy groups like The Southern Poverty Law Center, Human Rights organizations, and Change.org, among many others. In my writing, I've been exploring the Medicaid/Medicare issues in Michigan. Housing is a major concern for the impoverished and disabled everywhere. I encourage you to consider that there are many paths to gaining experience in advocacy. If you choose to pursue a law degree, your research will make your arguments even stronger. I hope this inspires you.