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I can't decide if I should get into law or business, what would you guys recommend?
I like debating and also like managing business. I understand that becoming a lawyer might be harder than building a business, but I still would like to have it as an option in my future. What would you guys recommend.
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7 answers
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Isha’s Answer
Hi Isam,
You don't have to choose right now! Because U.S. law schools require a 4-year bachelor's degree first, you can easily build a foundation in both areas.
Undergrad Focus: Major in Business (e.g., Business Administration, Economics, or Finance at schools like SJSU, Santa Clara, or UC Berkeley). Law schools accept any undergrad major—your GPA and LSAT score matter most.
Explore Corporate Law & Silicon Valley: Living in San Jose puts you in the heart of tech business. Tech companies need corporate lawyers for contracts, venture capital deals, and intellectual property.
Consider a Dual JD/MBA Degree: You can earn both a law degree (JD) and a business degree (MBA) at the same time to combine strategy, management, and legal practice.
Best Next Step: Join high school Mock Trial or Speech & Debate to sharpen your legal skills, while taking intro business courses or starting a small project to test your management interests!
You don't have to choose right now! Because U.S. law schools require a 4-year bachelor's degree first, you can easily build a foundation in both areas.
Undergrad Focus: Major in Business (e.g., Business Administration, Economics, or Finance at schools like SJSU, Santa Clara, or UC Berkeley). Law schools accept any undergrad major—your GPA and LSAT score matter most.
Explore Corporate Law & Silicon Valley: Living in San Jose puts you in the heart of tech business. Tech companies need corporate lawyers for contracts, venture capital deals, and intellectual property.
Consider a Dual JD/MBA Degree: You can earn both a law degree (JD) and a business degree (MBA) at the same time to combine strategy, management, and legal practice.
Best Next Step: Join high school Mock Trial or Speech & Debate to sharpen your legal skills, while taking intro business courses or starting a small project to test your management interests!
I agree with Isha. Take your time with your undergraduate degree to explore a bit. Business administration is great but you may want to take some classes in other areas as well - political science, pysch, business law, and technology classes. All can be useful in helping you narrow down a career path.
Lisa Balaban
Updated
Juan’s Answer
I second Karin's answer as well.
I would highlight the fact that law and business have many overlapping needs/interests. For example, corporate lawyers, or regulatory affairs in the pharma industry need legal counsel. Someone who has experience in both areas would be more competitive applicant. This isn't an either/or situation.
I have a friend who started his own law firm (not being a lawyer himself), and hires lawyers to handle his cases. He handles everything involving the business and leaves his employees to handle the daily operational legal work.
I would also consider global experiences, whether that is an internship abroad, or international regulatory affairs experiences. The most successful people I know in this area have some sort of international experience under their belt they can point to on their resumes.
Good luck!
I would highlight the fact that law and business have many overlapping needs/interests. For example, corporate lawyers, or regulatory affairs in the pharma industry need legal counsel. Someone who has experience in both areas would be more competitive applicant. This isn't an either/or situation.
I have a friend who started his own law firm (not being a lawyer himself), and hires lawyers to handle his cases. He handles everything involving the business and leaves his employees to handle the daily operational legal work.
I would also consider global experiences, whether that is an internship abroad, or international regulatory affairs experiences. The most successful people I know in this area have some sort of international experience under their belt they can point to on their resumes.
Good luck!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Isam,
It is great that you have varied interests and are considering your options. The good news is, you can do both!
In the US, law is a graduate degree. You first get your bachelors in any field you like before you take the LSAT and apply to law school. So, you could get your bachelors in business administration if that's your main interest before you go to law school. People in law school come from all walks of life and all kinds of previous experiences. If you want to specialize in business law later, getting your bachelors in business administration could be a great foundation.
If you change your mind about law school you can still go into business, maybe get an MBA if you want to get a graduate degree. If you do get into law school, the skills you learn during law school would also be valuable for running a business.
For now, try to get some practical experiences in both fields. Look for job opportunities and internships or volunteer opportunities to dip your toes into the business field as well as the legal field so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
It is great that you have varied interests and are considering your options. The good news is, you can do both!
In the US, law is a graduate degree. You first get your bachelors in any field you like before you take the LSAT and apply to law school. So, you could get your bachelors in business administration if that's your main interest before you go to law school. People in law school come from all walks of life and all kinds of previous experiences. If you want to specialize in business law later, getting your bachelors in business administration could be a great foundation.
If you change your mind about law school you can still go into business, maybe get an MBA if you want to get a graduate degree. If you do get into law school, the skills you learn during law school would also be valuable for running a business.
For now, try to get some practical experiences in both fields. Look for job opportunities and internships or volunteer opportunities to dip your toes into the business field as well as the legal field so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Updated
Dmitry’s Answer
Hi Islam, career choice is always tough, though it's so great you already have options that you like.
A few thoughts besides what's been said above.
1. If you really like Law, you can make it your business - these are not mutually exhaustive things. You can become a lawyer, and then establish your own private practice. You will have it as your business then where you control who you are working with, on which topics, and how you are making money on this. It will require a new set of skills of course, but will also give you more ownership.
2. Career is not a straight path, it can take turns and pivots. You can get a Law degree, work in Law for a few years, and then decide to pivot to something completely different. The degree will teach you to think in a structured manner and provide you a helpful specialization. Importantly you should choose not on the random opinions, but on what you really like to do though.
3. You should learn how your day would look like in both of these paths. Law is not only about debating/proving your point of view - it involves a lot of other things like analysis of precedents, or talking to other people. Managing business is also quite a lot of different activities - some business owners are primarily sales people - they spend most of the time with customer; while the others will spend time producing something. Talk to people who do Law day to day or manage business day to day. See if you can get a short internship. Try out things and see what works best for yourself.
Wishing you good luck.
A few thoughts besides what's been said above.
1. If you really like Law, you can make it your business - these are not mutually exhaustive things. You can become a lawyer, and then establish your own private practice. You will have it as your business then where you control who you are working with, on which topics, and how you are making money on this. It will require a new set of skills of course, but will also give you more ownership.
2. Career is not a straight path, it can take turns and pivots. You can get a Law degree, work in Law for a few years, and then decide to pivot to something completely different. The degree will teach you to think in a structured manner and provide you a helpful specialization. Importantly you should choose not on the random opinions, but on what you really like to do though.
3. You should learn how your day would look like in both of these paths. Law is not only about debating/proving your point of view - it involves a lot of other things like analysis of precedents, or talking to other people. Managing business is also quite a lot of different activities - some business owners are primarily sales people - they spend most of the time with customer; while the others will spend time producing something. Talk to people who do Law day to day or manage business day to day. See if you can get a short internship. Try out things and see what works best for yourself.
Wishing you good luck.
Wendy Glavin
Marketing, AI, Writing, Networking, Agencies, Entrepreneurship, Public Relations, AI, Jobs, Careers
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Wendy’s Answer
First, ask yourself some questions:
1. What are my core values?
2. What is my background (for example, my father was a lawyer)?
3. What type of personality do I have?
4. What relationships are important to you?
5. What are my interests
6. What are my strengths and weaknesses?
These questions help you to gain a better understanding of yourself. Then, decide if you enjoy doing research, writing, analysis, negotiation and rules since this is much of what law is, rather than debating.
Managing a business includes marketing, strategy, finance, operations, sales and entrepreneurship, for example.
Many schools offer JD/MBA programs and could be an excellent fit if you develop interests in corporate law, M&A, entrepreneurship, venture capital, consulting, or business.
Something to think about. Good luck!
Find an internship and a mentor.
1. What are my core values?
2. What is my background (for example, my father was a lawyer)?
3. What type of personality do I have?
4. What relationships are important to you?
5. What are my interests
6. What are my strengths and weaknesses?
These questions help you to gain a better understanding of yourself. Then, decide if you enjoy doing research, writing, analysis, negotiation and rules since this is much of what law is, rather than debating.
Managing a business includes marketing, strategy, finance, operations, sales and entrepreneurship, for example.
Many schools offer JD/MBA programs and could be an excellent fit if you develop interests in corporate law, M&A, entrepreneurship, venture capital, consulting, or business.
Something to think about. Good luck!
Wendy recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Pooja’s Answer
Consider starting a career in management or business. Since you like managing and have an interest in business, it offers many career options and flexibility. If your interest in law remains strong, you can explore it later. But for now, management is a solid starting point.
Updated
Amelia’s Answer
The JD/MBA program can be a good choice, but if you have to choose one, go for the MBA. Law schools are crowded because many recent grads can't find jobs, and this often happens during economic downturns (it's a recession indicator). Although a law degree is valuable, it doesn't guarantee job security like it used to, especially given the high cost. An MBA usually costs less, takes less time, and can be useful in more fields.