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Through what specific college internships, courses and programs would help me to combine my love for law and journalism into a successful career, in other words, what career path would satisfy both the lawyer and the journalist in me? #Spring25?
Hi! Throughout high school, I have developed a strong admiration for both journalism and the legal field. As Editor in Chief of my school newspaper and Captain of the Moot Court and Mock Trial Competition team, I'm wondering what steps I can take to further myself in a career that contains aspects from both. Presently, as I will be attending college this fall, I plan to major in Political Science and minor in Journalism with the goal of attending law school to obtain my J.D. Through journalism, I have thoroughly enjoyed the actions of meeting new people and reporting on topics that are important to me and my community. I have a deep respect for the power of the press' ability to keep the public informed as well as the people's ability to hold their officials accountable. Through my experimental work in the legal field, I am fond of the principle of equality that the legal system strives to uphold. I value the logical reasonings behind the law, but also its constant intellectually stimulating nature with every case, principle and statute. Overall, I find comfort and peace in the ability for me to help people and to make a change in my community. While each career field has their flaws, I am still deeply passionate about them both, but I feel as if I am at a crossroads where I need to pick one and leave the other behind, something that I most definitely do not want to do. Consequently, I ask for advice on how I can pursue a profession that integrates journalism and law together as they have both become such intrinsic parts of my life. Thank you!
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4 answers
Juney Dijkstra
Business Development / Production / Project Management
48
Answers
Updated
Juney’s Answer
Excellent questions to ask yourself, Athena!
Though I have experience with neither career, I personally juggle a combination of project management & business development with a deep passion for event management & community building to stimulate knowledge & experience sharing.
At a high level, my work in the game industry consists of driving large strategic initiatives across the company I work for and the third parties we partner with. A portion of my spare time then goes to running a professional game industry Discord community, where we host events on professional & career development topics. In addition to that, I regularly find cross-overs where my professional career requires / would benefit from events (internal panels / interviews, etc.), and where the Discord community benefits from sharing knowledge gained during my professional career.
As someone uninitiated in either of your professions of choice, I do suspect there are some areas of overlap. If you were to choose one basis, and supplement with the other, that'd be a tremendously valuable & impactful skillset. Imagine a lawyer, on the side hosting a podcast interviewing professionals across the judiciary gamut on their perspectives on certain topics of law. Or imagine a journalist, with a solid legal foundation, reporting on the intricacies and consequences of law. I'm sure your imagination could offer a much wider range of colour.
At the core, in your shoes, I would ask myself which of the two should serve as the basis, through questions such as:
* Which appeals to me personally more? Which does society need most?
* Do you truly lose yourself in the study & work done in either?
* Is there a way you can get a close look at either, to gain more insight into their practical day-to-day?
Though I have experience with neither career, I personally juggle a combination of project management & business development with a deep passion for event management & community building to stimulate knowledge & experience sharing.
At a high level, my work in the game industry consists of driving large strategic initiatives across the company I work for and the third parties we partner with. A portion of my spare time then goes to running a professional game industry Discord community, where we host events on professional & career development topics. In addition to that, I regularly find cross-overs where my professional career requires / would benefit from events (internal panels / interviews, etc.), and where the Discord community benefits from sharing knowledge gained during my professional career.
As someone uninitiated in either of your professions of choice, I do suspect there are some areas of overlap. If you were to choose one basis, and supplement with the other, that'd be a tremendously valuable & impactful skillset. Imagine a lawyer, on the side hosting a podcast interviewing professionals across the judiciary gamut on their perspectives on certain topics of law. Or imagine a journalist, with a solid legal foundation, reporting on the intricacies and consequences of law. I'm sure your imagination could offer a much wider range of colour.
At the core, in your shoes, I would ask myself which of the two should serve as the basis, through questions such as:
* Which appeals to me personally more? Which does society need most?
* Do you truly lose yourself in the study & work done in either?
* Is there a way you can get a close look at either, to gain more insight into their practical day-to-day?
Thank you so much Juney for the advice! You've given me lots to consider and think about!
Athena
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Hi Athena! I majored in Journalism, one day, a professor brought in a massive book called Standard Rates and Data. It listed countless professional journals, many of which likely need talented journalists like you! This is a great opportunity to explore magazines and trade journals in the legal field.
Now, let’s imagine your dream job and see what steps you can take to get there:
1. Poof! You are now the legal reporter for the New York Times.
2. Poof! You are now an attorney representing a major news outlet like ABC or NBC.
Both roles perfectly blend your interests, right?
Can you jump straight into these jobs? Not immediately, as you’ll need experience and a college degree to land the best positions. Start now by finding a news story with a legal angle. Dive into it, write a spin-off story with more legal details, and make sure to use reliable legal sources. Repeat this process again for practice. Then share your stories with someone experienced in journalism for feedback. Their insights will be invaluable.
Next, start writing legal-themed stories for your high school paper and continue this in college.
Pursuing a law degree will involve studying history, political science, logic and reasoning and debate. These subjects may not overlap a ton with journalism courses. What’s the plan? Talk to your college advisor about how to balance courses to achieve your dual goals. It is doable.
You’ve got this, Athena! Your enthusiasm and sharp thinking are already shining through.
We need you out here!!
Good luck, my friend!
Now, let’s imagine your dream job and see what steps you can take to get there:
1. Poof! You are now the legal reporter for the New York Times.
2. Poof! You are now an attorney representing a major news outlet like ABC or NBC.
Both roles perfectly blend your interests, right?
Can you jump straight into these jobs? Not immediately, as you’ll need experience and a college degree to land the best positions. Start now by finding a news story with a legal angle. Dive into it, write a spin-off story with more legal details, and make sure to use reliable legal sources. Repeat this process again for practice. Then share your stories with someone experienced in journalism for feedback. Their insights will be invaluable.
Next, start writing legal-themed stories for your high school paper and continue this in college.
Pursuing a law degree will involve studying history, political science, logic and reasoning and debate. These subjects may not overlap a ton with journalism courses. What’s the plan? Talk to your college advisor about how to balance courses to achieve your dual goals. It is doable.
You’ve got this, Athena! Your enthusiasm and sharp thinking are already shining through.
We need you out here!!
Good luck, my friend!
Updated
Job’s Answer
As a retired attorney I would make my primary employment as an attorney and write articles for a legal journal or submit written articles to almost any news or lifestyle publication to become a contributing author on legal issues and explanation of how laws actually work or how recently passed laws will work and their effects on the public, business, non-profits.
Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it! You've given me a solid starting point to jump off from
Athena
Brandyn Knight
Operations Supervisor, Owner - Life & Career Coach
18
Answers
Updated
Brandyn’s Answer
Athena, it sounds like you're at an exciting crossroads, trying to combine your passions for law and journalism. It's wonderful that you're thinking about a career that can incorporate both, as there are several opportunities to blend these fields together.
Here are a few suggestions for how you can navigate this path:
1. Pursue Legal Journalism
Consider focusing on legal journalism, where you report on legal matters, court cases, and law-related news. You can pursue this by:
Interning at news outlets with a legal focus such as Law360 or The Legal Intelligencer.
Courses in journalism with a focus on law – look for programs or electives that focus on investigative journalism, constitutional law, or public policy.
Law school with a journalism component – Some law schools offer dual-degree programs or have partnerships with journalism schools.
2. Media Law
Another option is focusing on the intersection of media and law. As a media lawyer, you could:
Help media outlets navigate legal challenges.
Work on issues like defamation, intellectual property, and free speech.
Interning at law firms specializing in entertainment or media law could give you a great perspective on the intersection of both fields.
3. Investigative Reporting on Legal Issues
If you’re passionate about both writing and law, you could focus on investigative reporting in legal matters:
Write articles on miscarriages of justice, legal reforms, or controversial court decisions.
Consider internships at investigative journalism organizations like ProPublica or legal advocacy groups that need skilled reporters.
Combine reporting skills with legal research to provide in-depth, evidence-backed stories.
4. Podcasting or Broadcasting
You can combine both careers through broadcasting or podcasting. You could create a podcast or YouTube channel where you discuss legal topics in a journalistic format. This would involve:
Interviewing legal experts, journalists, and community leaders.
Analyzing high-profile legal cases and explaining them to the public.
Combining skills from journalism to communicate complex legal matters to a broader audience.
5. Public Relations or Communications in the Legal Field
Many law firms, non-profits, or advocacy organizations require skilled communicators to handle their public relations. You could:
Work as a legal PR specialist, helping firms navigate media coverage.
Engage in crisis communication, particularly during high-profile cases.
Internships and Courses:
Internships: Look for internships at law firms with a media or public relations component, media outlets with a legal focus, or organizations focusing on legal advocacy and journalism.
Courses: Continue with your Political Science major and Journalism minor. Additionally, look into journalism programs that offer specializations in law or policy. Consider taking courses such as Media Law, First Amendment Law, Investigative Journalism, or Law & Ethics in Media.
Dual Degree: Explore dual degree programs in Journalism and Law or consider law school with a specialization in media law.
By combining both fields, you can create a unique career that blends your passions for law and journalism in ways that help shape public opinion, educate people on legal matters, and advocate for fairness.
Good luck with your journey Athena!
Here are a few suggestions for how you can navigate this path:
1. Pursue Legal Journalism
Consider focusing on legal journalism, where you report on legal matters, court cases, and law-related news. You can pursue this by:
Interning at news outlets with a legal focus such as Law360 or The Legal Intelligencer.
Courses in journalism with a focus on law – look for programs or electives that focus on investigative journalism, constitutional law, or public policy.
Law school with a journalism component – Some law schools offer dual-degree programs or have partnerships with journalism schools.
2. Media Law
Another option is focusing on the intersection of media and law. As a media lawyer, you could:
Help media outlets navigate legal challenges.
Work on issues like defamation, intellectual property, and free speech.
Interning at law firms specializing in entertainment or media law could give you a great perspective on the intersection of both fields.
3. Investigative Reporting on Legal Issues
If you’re passionate about both writing and law, you could focus on investigative reporting in legal matters:
Write articles on miscarriages of justice, legal reforms, or controversial court decisions.
Consider internships at investigative journalism organizations like ProPublica or legal advocacy groups that need skilled reporters.
Combine reporting skills with legal research to provide in-depth, evidence-backed stories.
4. Podcasting or Broadcasting
You can combine both careers through broadcasting or podcasting. You could create a podcast or YouTube channel where you discuss legal topics in a journalistic format. This would involve:
Interviewing legal experts, journalists, and community leaders.
Analyzing high-profile legal cases and explaining them to the public.
Combining skills from journalism to communicate complex legal matters to a broader audience.
5. Public Relations or Communications in the Legal Field
Many law firms, non-profits, or advocacy organizations require skilled communicators to handle their public relations. You could:
Work as a legal PR specialist, helping firms navigate media coverage.
Engage in crisis communication, particularly during high-profile cases.
Internships and Courses:
Internships: Look for internships at law firms with a media or public relations component, media outlets with a legal focus, or organizations focusing on legal advocacy and journalism.
Courses: Continue with your Political Science major and Journalism minor. Additionally, look into journalism programs that offer specializations in law or policy. Consider taking courses such as Media Law, First Amendment Law, Investigative Journalism, or Law & Ethics in Media.
Dual Degree: Explore dual degree programs in Journalism and Law or consider law school with a specialization in media law.
By combining both fields, you can create a unique career that blends your passions for law and journalism in ways that help shape public opinion, educate people on legal matters, and advocate for fairness.
Good luck with your journey Athena!
These are great suggestions.
Tom Behan