2 answers
Rachel
Student
Bluffdale, Utah
1
Question
Updated
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How to connect/network with those in your community to help advocate for social issues ?
Hey guys! I am starting law school in fall 2025. I really want to get involved in my community while attending law school to network and have a better understanding of what the people in the community are struggling with, so I can advocate for them. This also means I need to make connections with people who hold positions of power so I can speak about these issues with someone who has a better ability to push these issues forward. How do I go about this in a professional way, and who would be the best people to talk to?
I know that I'm inexperienced and don't have a lot of knowledge on this. The last thing I want is to come off as a newbie who thinks they know what they are doing or talking about. I don't want to be pushy, but in the past, these worries have kept me from doing what I really want to help my community. Any advice would be great!!
Also, other than politics, what type of law career would best fit my goals.
#Spring25
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2520
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Rachel !
Well, there's an awful lot of inquiry about advocacy as being the career some students want but it's not a career.
If you intend to dedicate yourself as an Attorney, then yes, go to Law School. If you do not want to become a Lawyer, and do it every day and are available for when you are needed, then Law School is going to be a disappointment to you.
Advocacy is a skill and a job duty within a career. I am sorry that I am re-directing you, but if you want a career for which you may do advocacy, and there's not a need for it constantly, please explore the skill and duty further. As for being an Attorney because you want to advocate for people, you would be advocating every time you represent a client in court, but not changing anything within anything outside of the scope of the law. It would be for an action or money for the client.
As I asked the previous student that asked about advocacy, what is your Bachelors Degree in ? That will be important if you really want to do social advocacy and not legal advocacy. You can go to Law School with any major for your Bachelors Degree, but realize that for the type of advocacy that you stated you want to do, it's more on the lines of being a Social Worker, Non-Profit Program Director, social service case manager, Journalist or a career in media. Even entering in politics. You would have needed to have taken a Bachelors Degree connected to these types of careers to be fully prepared. You'd also have already been networking in the beneficial places at this point.
As I mentioned earlier today to another student, 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. And you don't need law school in order to do this skill, but you do need a strong understanding of human behavior and the human experience.
As I also mentioned to the other student, 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.
So you see, advocacy is the skill and job duty, not the career. Law will have you bound by the current laws, but you can fight hard for your clients and that is the advocacy part. It's just a matter of choosing which realm you'd want to use the skill in, the legal system or the social service or community service system. And you wouldn't be doing just advocacy, you'd be doing other skills and job duties, too. Your Law School professors will expect you to become a Lawyer and follow their program and their networking system which is focused on other attorneys and Law Firms. It's a given that lawyers advocate in a certain way for their clients.
Having a path in one of the human social or psychological sciences will greatly prepare you for this work. You can also volunteer at various social service and community services agencies, too, but keep in mind that people's needs change. And some issues are not solved needing advocacy, rather informing the client or providing counseling to the client.
So if you follow through with law school for three years, know what to expect. If you decide to go for a Masters Degree for two years, you will be qualified to do the careers in Social or Community Service.
I hope this helps for a better understanding of what advocacy is, that it's not a career rather part of a job and a skill not needed all the time. I just can't see going to Law School for three years unless you're passionate about becoming an attorney and working in the legal representation field on cases in court.
Best wishes in all you do !
Well, there's an awful lot of inquiry about advocacy as being the career some students want but it's not a career.
If you intend to dedicate yourself as an Attorney, then yes, go to Law School. If you do not want to become a Lawyer, and do it every day and are available for when you are needed, then Law School is going to be a disappointment to you.
Advocacy is a skill and a job duty within a career. I am sorry that I am re-directing you, but if you want a career for which you may do advocacy, and there's not a need for it constantly, please explore the skill and duty further. As for being an Attorney because you want to advocate for people, you would be advocating every time you represent a client in court, but not changing anything within anything outside of the scope of the law. It would be for an action or money for the client.
As I asked the previous student that asked about advocacy, what is your Bachelors Degree in ? That will be important if you really want to do social advocacy and not legal advocacy. You can go to Law School with any major for your Bachelors Degree, but realize that for the type of advocacy that you stated you want to do, it's more on the lines of being a Social Worker, Non-Profit Program Director, social service case manager, Journalist or a career in media. Even entering in politics. You would have needed to have taken a Bachelors Degree connected to these types of careers to be fully prepared. You'd also have already been networking in the beneficial places at this point.
As I mentioned earlier today to another student, 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. And you don't need law school in order to do this skill, but you do need a strong understanding of human behavior and the human experience.
As I also mentioned to the other student, 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.
So you see, advocacy is the skill and job duty, not the career. Law will have you bound by the current laws, but you can fight hard for your clients and that is the advocacy part. It's just a matter of choosing which realm you'd want to use the skill in, the legal system or the social service or community service system. And you wouldn't be doing just advocacy, you'd be doing other skills and job duties, too. Your Law School professors will expect you to become a Lawyer and follow their program and their networking system which is focused on other attorneys and Law Firms. It's a given that lawyers advocate in a certain way for their clients.
Having a path in one of the human social or psychological sciences will greatly prepare you for this work. You can also volunteer at various social service and community services agencies, too, but keep in mind that people's needs change. And some issues are not solved needing advocacy, rather informing the client or providing counseling to the client.
So if you follow through with law school for three years, know what to expect. If you decide to go for a Masters Degree for two years, you will be qualified to do the careers in Social or Community Service.
I hope this helps for a better understanding of what advocacy is, that it's not a career rather part of a job and a skill not needed all the time. I just can't see going to Law School for three years unless you're passionate about becoming an attorney and working in the legal representation field on cases in court.
Best wishes in all you do !
Thank you for your response, Michelle! I have a degree in Social Work, and although I love it, it's not what I want to do full-time. I’m passionate about criminal law and want to be a prosecutor. I understand I am bound to the law and want to be in court working on cases. I also believe having a background in both social work and law can be powerful for promoting social justice and improving my community.
While this isn't my main reason for attending law school, it’s something I care deeply about. I want to make the most of the resources and connections available through law school and attorneys to help others where I can. It won't be my full-time job, but I want to give back.
Thank you again for your thoughtful response. It was really helpful to read!
Rachel
You are welcome for the advice !
Michelle M.
Allie Stern
Healthcare Sales & Marketing
10
Answers
Santa Rosa, California
Updated
Allie’s Answer
While I can't offer legal advice, I have plenty of experience in social justice advocacy. I suggest finding a nonprofit or organization in your area where you can volunteer. This will help you get involved and understand community issues better. Also, check if your law school has ties with local groups. Being around people who share your interests can be very rewarding. Best of luck, and enjoy the journey!
Thank you Allie! This was super helpful!
Rachel