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How do I find the field of law I want to practice ?
Hey, whoever can please guide me? I am a psychology major on a prelaw track. I want to pursue law and go to law school, but I have been seeing people who say law school is not worth it and being a lawyer is not worth it, money-wise and emotionally ( miserable). I have been told that people often recommend pursuing a career in nursing and becoming a Psychiatric nurse, or studying more neuroscience. I am in distress and no longer know what I want to do. I feel very overwhelmed because I love the law, and I have been interested in law programs since 8th grade, when I declared my intention to be a lawyer. However, now I feel questioned and tested. I want a job that I am passionate about and one that I will be mentally okay with. ALSO MONEY WISE with debts. What type of law field should I lean towards if I follow my dreams?
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Jaime’s Answer
Hi Cloudy! I completely understand how you feel, and I know it can seem like you need to have certainty over your career path, but the truth is that few of us do in college, and many of us continue to change paths over the course of our lives. So try not to put pressure on yourself to have it all figured out. Leave room to learn, grow, change your mind, etc.
I think if you feel a passion for law, it's something worth exploring. Some jobs in law are demanding and can be miserable, of course, but it's so specific to the person and the particular place they work and the practice area they are in, so I wouldn't be deterred by that idea. It's probably true of all fields. The law is a professional field, and there are so many different ways to practice or to use your degree. I started in big law, for example, and I didn't feel that it was for me in the long term. Then I moved into academia, serving as an academic advisor in a law school, and finally moved into the legal editing field, where I've found the right balance for me. All three extremely different jobs enabled me to utilize my law degree and experience, and I feel like I found my path by exposing myself to career panels/networking events and thinking outside of the box. The best thing you can do for yourself is be open and take opportunities to learn more about the options within any field you're considering. I know you'll find your way!
I think if you feel a passion for law, it's something worth exploring. Some jobs in law are demanding and can be miserable, of course, but it's so specific to the person and the particular place they work and the practice area they are in, so I wouldn't be deterred by that idea. It's probably true of all fields. The law is a professional field, and there are so many different ways to practice or to use your degree. I started in big law, for example, and I didn't feel that it was for me in the long term. Then I moved into academia, serving as an academic advisor in a law school, and finally moved into the legal editing field, where I've found the right balance for me. All three extremely different jobs enabled me to utilize my law degree and experience, and I feel like I found my path by exposing myself to career panels/networking events and thinking outside of the box. The best thing you can do for yourself is be open and take opportunities to learn more about the options within any field you're considering. I know you'll find your way!
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Annette’s Answer
Hi Cloudy!
This is a great time for you to spend some time interning and spending time talking with folks in both career fields you are looking at. Asking here will give you some good insight, but a real-time conversation that digs deeper into the details of who you are and what you want will be helpful, and seeing how the actual jobs work in person will give you some first-hand views of the different environments you might see.
Most litigators rarely spend time in the courtroom, for instance, so you may not find their day-to-day office work as interesting as you thought after spending a summer interning for them. Transactional lawyers spend a lot of time doing detailed reading and some writing, with limited client contact in some specialties, and you might find yourself completely bored as one breaks down their day for you in an informational interview (most lawyers I know would be happy to give a potential law student some time for coffee or lunch). On the nursing and science side, those aren't my fields, but I would recommend looking into shadowing programs as well as relevant internships or informational interviews.
Good luck finding the right career field for you!
This is a great time for you to spend some time interning and spending time talking with folks in both career fields you are looking at. Asking here will give you some good insight, but a real-time conversation that digs deeper into the details of who you are and what you want will be helpful, and seeing how the actual jobs work in person will give you some first-hand views of the different environments you might see.
Most litigators rarely spend time in the courtroom, for instance, so you may not find their day-to-day office work as interesting as you thought after spending a summer interning for them. Transactional lawyers spend a lot of time doing detailed reading and some writing, with limited client contact in some specialties, and you might find yourself completely bored as one breaks down their day for you in an informational interview (most lawyers I know would be happy to give a potential law student some time for coffee or lunch). On the nursing and science side, those aren't my fields, but I would recommend looking into shadowing programs as well as relevant internships or informational interviews.
Good luck finding the right career field for you!
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Magan’s Answer
Hi there 👋 — first, thank you for being so open and honest. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when you're at a crossroads, especially when you're passionate about something but hearing conflicting advice.
You mentioned loving law since 8th grade — that’s powerful. Passion like that doesn’t just fade, and it’s worth exploring deeply. Yes, law school is a big investment, both financially and emotionally. But it can also be incredibly rewarding if you find the right fit.
Here are a few things to consider:
Law Careers That Align with Mental Wellness & Financial Stability
If you're concerned about burnout and debt, you might want to explore:
Public Interest Law: Often emotionally fulfilling, though not always the highest paying.
Health Law or Disability Law: Combines legal work with mental health and healthcare systems.
In-House Counsel Roles: These can offer better work-life balance than traditional law firms.
Compliance or Policy Work: Especially in psychology or healthcare-related fields — less courtroom, more strategy.
Your Psychology Background Is a Strength
Your major gives you a unique edge in fields like:
Mental Health Advocacy
Forensic Psychology & Law
Neuroethics or Bioethics Law
Juvenile Justice or Family Law
On Debt and Money
Law school is expensive, but there are ways to manage:
Look into loan forgiveness programs for public service careers.
Apply for scholarships and fellowships tied to your interests.
Consider state schools or part-time programs if cost is a major concern.
Feeling Tested Is Part of the Journey
It’s okay to question your path — that’s how you grow. If law still excites you, don’t let fear alone steer you away. Instead, research, shadow professionals, and talk to current law students or lawyers in fields you’re curious about.
You’re not alone in this. Many people pivot, pause, or reframe their goals — and still end up doing meaningful, successful work.
You mentioned loving law since 8th grade — that’s powerful. Passion like that doesn’t just fade, and it’s worth exploring deeply. Yes, law school is a big investment, both financially and emotionally. But it can also be incredibly rewarding if you find the right fit.
Here are a few things to consider:
Law Careers That Align with Mental Wellness & Financial Stability
If you're concerned about burnout and debt, you might want to explore:
Public Interest Law: Often emotionally fulfilling, though not always the highest paying.
Health Law or Disability Law: Combines legal work with mental health and healthcare systems.
In-House Counsel Roles: These can offer better work-life balance than traditional law firms.
Compliance or Policy Work: Especially in psychology or healthcare-related fields — less courtroom, more strategy.
Your Psychology Background Is a Strength
Your major gives you a unique edge in fields like:
Mental Health Advocacy
Forensic Psychology & Law
Neuroethics or Bioethics Law
Juvenile Justice or Family Law
On Debt and Money
Law school is expensive, but there are ways to manage:
Look into loan forgiveness programs for public service careers.
Apply for scholarships and fellowships tied to your interests.
Consider state schools or part-time programs if cost is a major concern.
Feeling Tested Is Part of the Journey
It’s okay to question your path — that’s how you grow. If law still excites you, don’t let fear alone steer you away. Instead, research, shadow professionals, and talk to current law students or lawyers in fields you’re curious about.
You’re not alone in this. Many people pivot, pause, or reframe their goals — and still end up doing meaningful, successful work.
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Cloudy. Since you are a psychology major, you already have skills that are valuable in certain areas of law. Understanding human behavior, decision-making, and mental health can help in fields like family law or mental health law. These areas often require empathy and strong interpersonal skills, which psychology prepares you for.
To find the right field, you need to explore different areas of law. You can attend seminars, talk to practicing lawyers, or ask professors about shadowing opportunities. Internships or volunteer work in legal clinics or policy organizations can help you see which work resonates with you.
It's also important to consider mental health and finances. Law can be demanding, but many lawyers find satisfaction when their work aligns with their interests. Look for fields that match both your passion and your tolerance for stress. Plan carefully for student debt, and research scholarships or schools with strong support for pre-law students. Good luck.
To find the right field, you need to explore different areas of law. You can attend seminars, talk to practicing lawyers, or ask professors about shadowing opportunities. Internships or volunteer work in legal clinics or policy organizations can help you see which work resonates with you.
It's also important to consider mental health and finances. Law can be demanding, but many lawyers find satisfaction when their work aligns with their interests. Look for fields that match both your passion and your tolerance for stress. Plan carefully for student debt, and research scholarships or schools with strong support for pre-law students. Good luck.
Updated
Fatima’s Answer
If you're looking to make money, corporate is the way to go. If you're looking to do something that is aligned with your passions, you could do something along the lines of disability law or personal injury. Truthfully there are lots things you could specialize in, and all you need is a bachelor's and a passing LSAT to get into law school.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Cloudy !
It is very important that you've expressed a passion for Law and wanted to be an attorney in the future. You're going to hear many things said by people about all careers, but there will never be a way you'll know what your experience will be like until you live it. There are ups and downs in every single career, so keep pursuing your dream and don't let anyone stop you towards your professional goals.
I have to mention, a Major in Psychology on a pre-law track is quite an unusual path. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but Law School in your State does not require any specific undergraduate major. That being said, there are some college Majors that will be very valuable for law school: economics, business, English, philosophy, political science, or history. The Psychology Major is not going to be applied in Law School or on the job as an Attorney. That major prepares students for a career in the mental health field. The Majors just mentioned would better provide insight and knowledge for what you'd be learning and doing in Law School.
With more life experience, you will learn that it doesn't matter what other people say about their work. You can't generalize what being a lawyer will be like, much less pre-determine how it will be for you. Stay strong in your goals and dream career. If you don't pursue Law after you get your Bachelors Degree, you might always wonder, "what if" so my advice is to go to Law School and make it your own.
If you already know that you've had a long-time love for Law, be around more like-minded people and successful Lawyers that will encourage you. I can't begin to tell you the negative things I've heard about going into Acting. For me, I ignored it and didn't let people's words have power or influence me. Focus on the work and the skills you'll need to be a Lawyer, not future things like debt or which facet of law to practice. That all falls into place later on and you can make choices about applying for grants and scholarships throughout college and Law School. Take things one step at a time. Many of the lawyers I know can do a variety of types of law even if they "specialize" in one main type. Let the path unfold and it may be in Law School that you discover what area of Law you'd like to do. My advice is to be as versatile as possible to get the most work.
So try to relax and know that you are doing the right thing and no one can tell you how your career will go. We all never know how our career will be when we haven't even started it yet. Be true to yourself, keep the enthusiasm and focus on the subjects and skills that will help you in law school and make you the best lawyer you can be !
Best wishes moving forward !
It is very important that you've expressed a passion for Law and wanted to be an attorney in the future. You're going to hear many things said by people about all careers, but there will never be a way you'll know what your experience will be like until you live it. There are ups and downs in every single career, so keep pursuing your dream and don't let anyone stop you towards your professional goals.
I have to mention, a Major in Psychology on a pre-law track is quite an unusual path. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but Law School in your State does not require any specific undergraduate major. That being said, there are some college Majors that will be very valuable for law school: economics, business, English, philosophy, political science, or history. The Psychology Major is not going to be applied in Law School or on the job as an Attorney. That major prepares students for a career in the mental health field. The Majors just mentioned would better provide insight and knowledge for what you'd be learning and doing in Law School.
With more life experience, you will learn that it doesn't matter what other people say about their work. You can't generalize what being a lawyer will be like, much less pre-determine how it will be for you. Stay strong in your goals and dream career. If you don't pursue Law after you get your Bachelors Degree, you might always wonder, "what if" so my advice is to go to Law School and make it your own.
If you already know that you've had a long-time love for Law, be around more like-minded people and successful Lawyers that will encourage you. I can't begin to tell you the negative things I've heard about going into Acting. For me, I ignored it and didn't let people's words have power or influence me. Focus on the work and the skills you'll need to be a Lawyer, not future things like debt or which facet of law to practice. That all falls into place later on and you can make choices about applying for grants and scholarships throughout college and Law School. Take things one step at a time. Many of the lawyers I know can do a variety of types of law even if they "specialize" in one main type. Let the path unfold and it may be in Law School that you discover what area of Law you'd like to do. My advice is to be as versatile as possible to get the most work.
So try to relax and know that you are doing the right thing and no one can tell you how your career will go. We all never know how our career will be when we haven't even started it yet. Be true to yourself, keep the enthusiasm and focus on the subjects and skills that will help you in law school and make you the best lawyer you can be !
Best wishes moving forward !
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Cloudy -
I want to approach your question from a slightly different direction than other responses and challenge you more on why you want to go to law school. It is a big commitment, and while it's a good choice for a lot of people, it isn't the right choice for everyone (they are often the ones saying it's not worth it and its miserable). Taking the time to seriously examine and question what you want and why is important, and a great idea! Someone did this for me when I was apply to law school, and it ended up being really important for me.
First of all, don't fall into the sunk-cost fallacy. Just because you've been interested in the law for so long, doesn't mean you have to go to law school (or go yet) -- there's nothing wrong with deciding to hold off for now. The law itself is interesting and engaging, and law-related classes you may take in college may be similar to the basic law school classes everyone takes. But those are very different from practice itself.
Second, I don't really recommend going to law school just because you love the law. Legal arguments like you might hear in front of the Supreme Court are super interesting, but that is a drop in the bucket as compared to all of the different types of things lawyers might do. It's even possible to engage with the field of law without being an attorney. For example, there are likely quite a few companies and jobs focused on helping attorneys manage the stress of being a lawyer -- and a psych major is a good way to get into those!
Third, if you really are no longer sure about going to law school, I recommend listening to your gut and holding off. Law school itself is very, very expensive without scholarships (and even sometimes with them), it can be stressful (though I loved it), and you don't want to put yourself through that only to end up in a job you don't particularly care for or that is high stress and doesn't pay enough to cover your law school loans. I had actually applied and gotten in to several law schools, and then decided not to go because I wasn't sure. I worked for a couple of years, and then when I was more ready, I applied, got in, and went. Many schools and employers often see that as a positive, because now you have work experience. One of my close friends in law school was actually an RN before we started law school. Now she practices health care law at a large law firm! Law schools will always be there -- you can always choose to go later, but you can't undo going (aside from withdrawing, which some people do and is the right choice for them).
Now, for the positives. Law school can definitely be worth it, if you go for the right reasons. I immensely enjoyed my time, and 10+ years later I am still very close with many of my friends from law school. I am also now in a position I enjoy, but I've had other positions where I was unhappy and very stressed. Don't do it for the money, because you aren't guaranteed to make a lot, but do it because it's what you actually want.
And as for your specific question, you may want to look into some in-house legal roles at healthcare-related companies (hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, others). Many companies need product and regulatory lawyers that advise the company on how to make products that comply with certain laws. This is especially true for healthcare-related companies, since healthcare is so highly regulated. Since you live in New York, there may be plenty of these types of companies where you can reach out to someone to see if they may be willing to chat or grab coffee.
Also, don't feel like your undergrad degree is going to define your career if you do become a lawyer. Just focus on doing well in school now; law schools don't really care much about your major to begin with, and having a more science-based degree can actually be a competitive advantage against all of the poly sci/history/philosophy majors! And once you start practicing law, if you decide you really like something else, no one's going to bat an eye just because you have a psych major.
Look up healthcare/healthcare-related companies in your area on LinkedIn. Search those companies for people in roles like "Product Counsel" or "Regulatory Counsel" and reach out to them to see if they would talk to you about their experience.
I want to approach your question from a slightly different direction than other responses and challenge you more on why you want to go to law school. It is a big commitment, and while it's a good choice for a lot of people, it isn't the right choice for everyone (they are often the ones saying it's not worth it and its miserable). Taking the time to seriously examine and question what you want and why is important, and a great idea! Someone did this for me when I was apply to law school, and it ended up being really important for me.
First of all, don't fall into the sunk-cost fallacy. Just because you've been interested in the law for so long, doesn't mean you have to go to law school (or go yet) -- there's nothing wrong with deciding to hold off for now. The law itself is interesting and engaging, and law-related classes you may take in college may be similar to the basic law school classes everyone takes. But those are very different from practice itself.
Second, I don't really recommend going to law school just because you love the law. Legal arguments like you might hear in front of the Supreme Court are super interesting, but that is a drop in the bucket as compared to all of the different types of things lawyers might do. It's even possible to engage with the field of law without being an attorney. For example, there are likely quite a few companies and jobs focused on helping attorneys manage the stress of being a lawyer -- and a psych major is a good way to get into those!
Third, if you really are no longer sure about going to law school, I recommend listening to your gut and holding off. Law school itself is very, very expensive without scholarships (and even sometimes with them), it can be stressful (though I loved it), and you don't want to put yourself through that only to end up in a job you don't particularly care for or that is high stress and doesn't pay enough to cover your law school loans. I had actually applied and gotten in to several law schools, and then decided not to go because I wasn't sure. I worked for a couple of years, and then when I was more ready, I applied, got in, and went. Many schools and employers often see that as a positive, because now you have work experience. One of my close friends in law school was actually an RN before we started law school. Now she practices health care law at a large law firm! Law schools will always be there -- you can always choose to go later, but you can't undo going (aside from withdrawing, which some people do and is the right choice for them).
Now, for the positives. Law school can definitely be worth it, if you go for the right reasons. I immensely enjoyed my time, and 10+ years later I am still very close with many of my friends from law school. I am also now in a position I enjoy, but I've had other positions where I was unhappy and very stressed. Don't do it for the money, because you aren't guaranteed to make a lot, but do it because it's what you actually want.
And as for your specific question, you may want to look into some in-house legal roles at healthcare-related companies (hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, others). Many companies need product and regulatory lawyers that advise the company on how to make products that comply with certain laws. This is especially true for healthcare-related companies, since healthcare is so highly regulated. Since you live in New York, there may be plenty of these types of companies where you can reach out to someone to see if they may be willing to chat or grab coffee.
Also, don't feel like your undergrad degree is going to define your career if you do become a lawyer. Just focus on doing well in school now; law schools don't really care much about your major to begin with, and having a more science-based degree can actually be a competitive advantage against all of the poly sci/history/philosophy majors! And once you start practicing law, if you decide you really like something else, no one's going to bat an eye just because you have a psych major.
Brian recommends the following next steps:
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DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Cloudy: Relax - it will find you! Law school introduces you to multiple fields. Some you will find boring some fascinating. You'll know when you are in the course - it's not the teacher it's the material. Go down to 60 Centre St. Go into a court room and watch. Then go to 100 Centre - watch a criminal trial. Then go to Federal Court 500 Pearl or Centre St. Watch a federal trial. You'll START to get a feel from there. Then relax. Get in school. It orks itself out somehow??? It just does.
Enjoy the ride!
Enjoy the ride!
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El’s Answer
My advice is this