The juris doctorate is one of the most versatile degrees available. A doctoral-level degree is available after only three years of graduate school, this simple degree can open up innumerable doors for a motivated student. While it can be quite difficult to actually graduate with a law degree, those who manage the feat have the ability to pursue careers in many different fields. From the traditional to the outlandish, a juris doctorate can be used in almost any field of law or business imaginable.
A Legal Career
Most law students pursue a juris doctorate to become lawyers.Some wish to spend time in the courtroom, while others would be far happier spending their days in a legal library. There are dozens of different fields of practice, and it is possible to pursue a degree while specializing in any field. Would-be attorneys can work in both the public and private sectors, and there is always a profit to be made by those with a shrewd mind for business. Most opportunities in law school tend to revolve around those with a desire to pursue a traditional legal career path, and internships and employment opportunities are quite common for those still learning the basics of the law.
A Career in Education
Those students who pursue a law degree will have undertaken at least seven years of schooling. It is no wonder, then, that many feel quite at home in academia. A juris doctorate (usually followed by an l.l.m.) is a wonderful degree for those who actually wish to teach the law. Though it usually takes quite a bit of experience to pursue a tenured position at a law school, many law graduates find an easier time pursuing a permanent position in the political science or history departments at major universities. It is fairly easy to shape the course of a legal education towards a more academic approach, and teaching is a reasonable end goal for any law student.
Administrative Careers
A degree in law can also lead to several skills that can lead to administrative careers. Those who study in law school are often well-versed in leadership techniques, as well as the ins and outs of basic administrative tasks. A juris doctorate is often considered to be equal or superior to most business administration degrees, and it can provide a great opportunity for those who are more organization-minded.
The Business World
Of course, the business world often looks positively on those that have a juris doctorate. Many top law schools offer extensive training in negotiation skills as well as employment law. Those who focus on such areas of education are often ideally suited to function in the business world. While a law degree may not necessarily allow one to focus exclusively on those subjects that are most important in the business world, the combination of a J.D. and a business degree can prove to be unbeatable.
A juris doctorate can be used by almost anyone who has a head for business or learning. One does not need to become a lawyer after graduation, though that career path is always available. If you wish to find an educational path that will give you many options after graduation, this degree may suit your purposes.