EDUCATION To become a lawyer, seven years of education (four years of undergraduate study and three years of law school) post-high school are required. After undergraduate study, acquiring a Bachelor’s degree and taking courses such as English, public speaking, government, and history are beneficial. Most states across the country require that future practicing lawyers complete a Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the ABA (American Bar Association). Afterwards, future lawyers must take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
TRAINING To become a lawyer, training may be required depending on fields of specification (if any). These fields include: environmental, immigration, intellectual property, employment, and labor among several others. Depending on the field, the training may involve language study or classes in citizenship. Regardless, specialized training occurs during law school, totaling three years. Credits for these specializations can even be acquired by taking online courses.
LARGEST EMPLOYERS Lawyers may be self-employed if they opt for beginning their own law firm. Otherwise, the largest employers include the following industries: the federal government, legal services, local government, and state government. The most prosperous firms include: Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Latham & Walkins LLP, and DLA Piper among several others.
FINDING WORK Aspiring lawyers can locate job opportunities by searching their local firms or even beginning a practice of their own. Most lawyers are employed in the following states: Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and New York among others. It is important to know that to practice law in multiple states, the bar exam must be completed multiple times for each state.
SALARY The average starting salary of a new lawyer (the lowest 10%) was $59,670 or less (2019). In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the starting salary is roughly $66,330, indicating an hourly wage of $31.89.The average ten year salary of practicing lawyers is about $122,960 (2019). In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the ten-year average salary is roughly $134,580, indicating an hourly wage of $64.70.
AREAS OF LIVING As I have mentioned previously, in the United States, lawyers generally practice in California, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania among others. The cost of living in Pennsylvania ($155k) and Texas ($250k) are most ideal for new lawyers. In contrast, California ($800k) and New York ($680k) are two of the most expensive states to live in, making it more difficult for recently practicing lawyers to endure.
CAREER OUTLOOK The outlook of a law career consists of a projected growth of 4% from 2019 to 2029. This is the average growth in comparison to other occupations. The need for lawyers by individuals, businesses, and all levels of government will continue to increase as legal services are essential to multiple groups. However, more law students graduate law school each year than jobs available, creating an environment of competition for jobs.
WORKING CONDITIONS/NATURE OF JOB Lawyers typically spend their days in offices, but depending on the task, are prone to travelling to attend meetings with clients at locations such as homes, hospitals, or prisons. If needed, lawyers may take their cases to court for trial. To be a lawyer is a full time commitment, requiring 40+ hours of work per week. Additional hours of work constitute conducting research and preparing/reviewing documents. At times, lawyers may face heavy pressure with regard to meeting deadlines or during trials.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES The duties of lawyers span over the following:
Advising/representing clients in court/before legal agencies/and in other legal matters
Communicating with clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in cases
Conducting research/analyzing legal problems
Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for clients
Presenting facts in writing/verbal forms to clients
Arguing on behalf of clients
Preparing/filing legal documents (lawsuits, appeals, wills, contracts, and deeds)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS While not necessary, joining legal associations is a beneficial way to network and make connections with others. Many of these organizations include membership opportunities for students. The organizations consist of: the American Bar Association, Association of Legal Administrators, Federal Bar Association, and National Association for Legal Professionals.
RELATED OCCUPATIONS Related occupations consist of:
Arbitrators. Mediators, and Conciliators
Involves facilitating negotiation/dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system
Judges and Hearing Officers
Involves applying the law by overseeing legal processes in courts
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Involves performing a variety of tasks to support lawyers.
GENDER STATISTICS According to a 2020 study, 37.4% of lawyers were women. That said, the sphere of legal relations remains a male dominated field. This can be accounted for by the events of the history of the United States. It was not until the 1920s that women were granted the right to vote. Even then and even in some cases now, women are viewed to be inferior to men. Law itself was a profession heavily dominated by men for centuries. Despite this, women are capable of anything, despite the increase in expectations and pressure placed upon them.
THREE LAWYERS You may research your answer to this question and/or briefly interview someone you know in this career. Remember, this should be written in quote form.
Bekki (@/bekki_rawks)
What did you envision yourself doing with a law degree?
“I wanted to do talent rights. I have a lot of friends who are boys in bands and growing up, I watched them sign some really not great deals and I felt really bad for them...They needed someone on their side.”
Rameses (@/rameses_b)
Regarding sentencing, why does it differ for everyone if we’re upholding the same law?
“Federal and state governments have different laws. There is some implicit bias in our legal system that a lot of us are working to try and get out. It is also an unfortunate truth that the amount a lawyer costs or how much you are willing to pay somebody [are factors, too].”
Jelena (@/jelenagrey)
What is your advice for applying to/getting into law schools?
“You have to take the LSAT and write a personal statement. You have to be able to say, ‘These are the schools within my scope; this is where I know I can apply.’ You have to be realistic and you have to keep adjusting your expectations.”
CAREER #2: WRITER/AUTHOR
EDUCATION Prior to college, it is beneficial for aspiring writers to get involved with their high school newspaper/yearbook. One can also take their standard english class as well as electives like creative writing and journalism.To become a full-time writer/author, a bachelor’s degree is typically required. This can be acquired through undergraduate study at a university that may reward degrees in English, communications, or journalism. Overall, education should require roughly four years with additional coursework consisting of internships/other opportunities. During undergraduate study, writers may participate in their college’s newspaper, yearbook, magazines, radio/television stations, and nearby advertising/publishing companies. They may also get involved with their school’s theater program as a playwright. Magazines and newspapers may offer internship opportunities. In other words, there are many chances for aspiring writers/authors to gain experience before, during, and after college.
TRAINING Writers and authors typically receive writing experience through on-the-job training. This may involve working alongside experienced authors and editors. If choosing to specify in a particular type of writing, authors may choose to receive formal training. This may involve further research or classes.
LARGEST EMPLOYERS/FINDING WORK Most writers/authors are self-employed (63%). However, if one would choose to work under a publishing company, the most successful include: Penguin/Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. These are the “big five” of publishing, attracting millions of readers. Otherwise, independent authors find work through joining local publishing companies, newspaper branches, magazine companies, etc. Alternatively, authors may publish their own work themselves.
SALARY The average starting salary of aspiring authors/writers (the lowest 10%) is about $33,660 or less. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the starting salary is roughly $40,600 indicating an hourly wage of $19.52.The average ten year salary of practicing lawyers is about $63,200 (2019). In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the ten-year average salary is roughly $66,090 indicating an hourly wage of $31.77. According to these statistics, authors placed in Philadelphia are paid slightly higher than the national average.
AREAS OF LIVING Successful authors inhabit states/districts such as California, New York, Texas, and Washington DC. However, an author can be successful virtually anywhere as long as they have internet access. The cost of living is significantly more expensive in California ($800k), New York ($680k), and Washington, DC ($556k). However, it is less expensive in comparison to live in Texas ($250k). Evidently, however, an author would not be able to afford living expenses in either state on their own or without other opportunities of income. With that said, it may be difficult to manage, but one should stay true to their passions.
CAREER OUTLOOK It is estimated that the employment of writers and authors will decline by 2% from 2019 to 2029. This is due to the downsizing of news outlets as well as the lack of demand for industries involving newspapers, books, and periodicals as most media has taken a digital, online format. Furthermore, this decline in jobs yields stronger competition among writers. Writers may still find success through utilizing digitizing their work. Those that continue to physically publish will be able to do so easily with the declining costs of self-publishing.
WORKING CONDITIONS/NATURE OF JOB The working conditions of authors/writers is subjective to the individual. Many are able to write from virtually any setting with an internet connection. This could consist of offices, homes, and many other places. Otherwise, authors are likely to travel to compensate for meetings with publishers, editors, and clients when producing their works. Depending on the individual, some authors may face greater pressures if they commit to full-time writing in which they must meet their deadlines and adjust their own hours.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES The duties of writers/authors span over the following:
Choosing intriguing subjects to gain interests of readers
Writing fiction/nonfiction scripts, biographies, and other formats
Conducting research to obtain factual information and authentic detail
Writing advertising copies for newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, and the Internet
Presenting drafts to editors/clients for feedback
Working with editors/clients to finalize material for publication
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS These groups are beneficial for conducting local/national/global connections and gaining experience. Many groups are of broad subjects; however, some groups specialize in specific categories for particular topics like science and history. The following are organizations that writers may join: Appalachian Authors’ Gild, Women Writing the West, Midwest Travel Writers Association, and many more unique to location and subject matter.
RELATED OCCUPATIONS Related occupations consist of:
Announcers
Present music, news, and sports
May provide commentary or interview guests
Editors
Plan, review, and revise content for publication
GENDER STATISTICS There is a gender imbalance when it comes to writers/authors; however, this balance is not uniform throughout every subject. Women lead in categories like literary fiction whereas men lead in business books. While writing is, at times, a male dominated profession, women are just as capable as producing some of the greatest works.
THREE AUTHORS You may research your answer to this question and/or briefly interview someone you know in this career. Remember, this should be written in quote form.
Jeff Zentner
What inspired you to write the content you do today?
“What’s funny is that I never set out to write a YA novel. What I really wanted to do was to write for young adults. And it happens that the best way to do that is by writing a YA novel. So that’s what I did. I think that’s such an amazing period of life, where you’re basically as intelligent as an adult, but the world and experience haven’t lost their newness. I remember the immediacy of feeling and wonder that accompanied those years of my life. There’s a magic there. I also love the way that young adults experience art and cling to the pieces of art that they love. I wanted to create something that would (hopefully) be loved and clung to.”
Jason Reynolds
Why do you write and who is your intended audience?
“I know there are a lot — A LOT — of young people who hate reading. I know that many of these book haters are boys. I know that many of these book-hating boys, don't actually hate books, they hate boredom. If you are reading this, and you happen to be one of these boys, first of all, you're reading this so my master plan is already working (muahahahahahaha) and second of all, know that I feel you. I REALLY do. Because even though I'm a writer, I hate reading boring books too.”
Jennifer Niven
What is your biggest advice for aspiring writers and authors?
“Read. Reading opens your mind, shows you what's out there, and gives you ideas. That said, you have to be careful what you read when in the throes of writing because the last thing you want to do is become an unintentional mimic. (High school Jennifer, I'm talking to you. Stop reading so much Ray Bradbury!)”
Public Relations Managers
Direct the creation of materials that will enhance the public image of their employer/client
Reporters, Correspondants, and Broadcast News Analysts
Inform the public about news and events
Midterm Reflection
March 26, 2021 Mika Dela Cruz 1547 Grand Oak Lane Garnet Valley, PA 19060
Dear Mr. Drozdowski,
Truthfully, I can confirm with confidence that I have benefited extensively from taking Career Development so far. Even before the initiation of this class, I had plans of utilizing every lesson to its fullest potential in hopes of framing my future. Now that we are presently halfway through, I have completed an extensive amount of self-reflection. I pondered what it is that I wanted to accomplish in life and through that process, I’ve discovered more about myself and my desires.
After thoroughly researching two careers, I have come to the conclusion that maybe they were not for me. Specifically, my interest in becoming a lawyer has been hindered by the amount of money needed to obtain the education required. However, I will not be throwing this career possibility out entirely just yet because, regardless of the money, law is something I am passionate about. For a long time, I knew that I wanted to devote myself to giving back to others. At first, I thought that this meant saving people through an occupation within the medical field. However, I was not passionate about science. My favorite subjects have always been english and history. Through this realization, I have discovered I can accomplish my life goals of helping others through combating systemic issues through law. I gained a better understanding of the work that a lawyer completes. Similarly to myself as expressed by my Do What You Are and Strengths Explorer results, lawyers are independent people. I have always been the type of worker/student to complete things on my own and such a career is a great balance between alone time and time shared with others. Lawyers are also confident people with an ability to analyze and interpret. I do the same and I enjoy doing so with everything: movies, books, etc. The other career I researched was given to me by the results of my Do What You Are assignment. As an INFP person, an author/writer is suitable for my literary and analytical strengths. I have always had a passion for writing and initially wanted to pursue a career in it, but after further research and realizing its lack of supporting the life I want, it must be a side hustle instead.
After developing my personal statement essay (an essay about the importance of speaking up) and professional portfolio, I think the most challenging aspect of developing my brand will simply be conveying everything that I want to about myself. I fear I might present too much or present too little. I fear that in the process, I’ll brand myself as something that I am not in an attempt to highlight my best qualities. Though these challenges will surely float around in the back of my head, I am sure that I will be able to figure out exactly what I want to showcase to others. For example, I want to express my values of growth, empathy, communication, and ambition. I also want to express my personality, how I can be shy and reserved, but also outgoing and social.
My next steps in high school include finishing junior year with a 4.0 gpa. Simultaneously, I will continue my college research to discover schools that I could potentially apply to and one day, attend. On an academic scale, during my senior year, I aim to continue with achieving a 4.0 gpa. However on a personal note, I will continue to dedicate myself to my clubs and extracurricular activities. I will take care of myself and my wellbeing. I will also improve my communication skills and allow time for my social life while I enjoy my last few years of high school.
I genuinely enjoy this class and the benefits I’ve obtained from taking it. I am grateful for the growth it has let me accomplish and I promise to continue with bettering myself as I inch closer to the future.