Alternative Careers

This sector is one of the most competitive areas of work with a wide range of roles that a law degree would be well suited to. Skills which are learnt through a law degree are seen as highly desirable by employers (such as analytical and problem-solving). Graduates can work in roles such as investment banking, corporate finance and financial regulation. A career in finance makes for an exciting, fast-paced commercial environment where law graduates thrive.

Possible Career Options:

• Investment Banking

• Corporate Finance

• Financial Regulation

• Risk Management

• Compliance

• Asset and Wealth Management

• Financial Consultancy

• Financial Crime Prevention

There are also internship opportunities within this sector. Famous firms such AS KPMG, Deloitte and PwC provide internships on their sites on a wide range of roles including audit, financial advisory, consulting and Risks. Banks such as Barclays and HSBC offer banking summer internship opportunities to help introduce you to the world of finance.

If working in an environment that helps shape society and create legislation sounds exciting to you, then this pathway may be for you! Law graduates are seen as very respectable across nations and governments.  Using research skills, problem-solving, and communication, these skills are critical no matter if you are working on legislation, updating policy, or encouraging new administrative change.

Possible career Options:

• Policy Advisor

• Civil Servant

• Public Affairs Consultant

• Parliamentary Researcher

• Government Relations Officer

• Legislative Assistant

• Local Government Officer

• Policy and Research Officer

Summer internship programmes are available for this sector – working with different UK civil service departments is an option to explore if you are thinking about making a career switch. There is also an exciting opportunity to intern with the UK parliament on their website, helping to support members of parliament through research and constituency-based initiatives.

Often an overlooked pathway – this career path can help to educate and inform, an important part of daily life. Reaching audiences and effecting change – skills gained through a law degree can be further developed in this sector. Graduates can specialise in both legal and political fields if they wish.

Possible career options:

• Journalist

• Legal Correspondent

• Political Reporter

• Broadcast Journalist

• Content Writer

• Communications Officer

• Editorial Assistant

• Public Relations Executive

Opportunities such as TV placements are available in this sector – offered by companies such as the BBC and Bauer Media, showcasing practical environments for graduates to get some hands-on experience. Certain publishing routes also offer internship opportunities such as Blake Friedman Literacy Agency, C & W and Curtis Brown.

A career in a charity or nonprofit environment allows law graduates to have a meaningful impact on society by supporting different communities and helping to foster change. This can be done by influencing policy and helping to combat social challenges which a law degree has built strong foundations for – graduates can work in NGOS (non-governmental organisations) advocacy and also fundraising to help achieve life-changing goals.

Possible Career Options:

• Charity Programme Officer

• Policy and Campaigns Officer

• Advocacy Officer

• Fundraising Executive

• Grants and Partnerships Officer

• Governance Officer

• Community Development Officer

• Programme Manager

There are many charity experience opportunities across the UK in organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Mind, The British Red Cross, etc. Leicestershire City Council offers both children and family volunteering roles – they support roles such as appropriate adult volunteers who help young people between the ages of 10-18 make sure their rights are protected through police interviews when a family member is unable to support. The official website details other roles available.