Determine Where You Might Be 5 Years With a Career in Law

Summary:

Your path to a future in the field of law depends primarily on the degree you hold: an attorney, a Juris Doctorate (JD), a master’s degree (MLS), or a bachelor’s degree. Starting with pre-college online courses in high school is a great approach.

Key Points:

• After passing the bar, the attorney path can take you to courtrooms, government, and corporate legal departments.
• A master's degree can lead you to a law firm, compliance management, even real estate and accounting.
• The options for those with a bachelor’s degree can include paralegal, law librarian, or probation officer, for instance.
• Five years into your chosen path, you may decide to move up to a higher degree to expand your skills and your earnings.
• Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, offers a range of law courses specifically designed for high school students who wish to explore paths in the legal field.

Did you know that becoming a lawyer versus an attorney are two different distinctions? 

The big difference? The bar exam. Lawyers take all the initial steps–-undergrand, LSAT, law school, a Juris Doctorate (JD) law degree—but it isn’t until you pass your state's bar exam and obtain your license that you can officially call yourself an attorney.

Regardless, acquiring a law degree, the Juris Doctorate (JD), is not an easy path to follow. It’s a 3-year commitment that can only begin once you pass the standardized LSAT test and successfully complete law school. So, where does this land you five years after graduating? There are a few paths from which to choose.

In this article, we’ll review the duties of licensed attorneys who have passed the bar. We’ll also explore the career possibilities for those who have earned a JD degree or a master’s degree in law (MLS), as well as the paths available to those with undergraduate degrees who decide to pursue careers in the field of law.

What do those working in the law do?

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Attorneys advise and represent clients in court cases, conduct research, and work with clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in a court case.
• Lawyers provide legal advice, analyze business contracts, file legal documents, or help you understand your rights in a dispute.
• Jobs are available in a variety of settings, including law firms, private corporations, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. 
• The minimum national wage for lawyers and attorneys as of 2024 was over $150,000.
• Employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade, with about 35,000 job openings per year during that timeframe.

Like every profession, law is evolving with the advent of AI. If you want to think seriously about a career in this field, you don’t want to fall behind the curve. High school is a great time to start your career journey, especially if you’re not sure if you want to go the JD bar exam route or pursue a job with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The legal field has opportunities to accommodate all. A great time to start is now with law opportunities for high school students.

Careers in law by degree: Passing the bar

After passing the bar exam, attorneys are officially licensed to practice law, but the specific path they take can vary greatly. They can represent clients in court, provide legal advice, draft legal documents, and work in law firms, government agencies, or as in-house counsel. Some may choose to specialize in a particular area of law.

Careers in law by degree: The Juris Doctorate

The career paths for lawyers with their JD degree five years down the line are many and varied. Traditional law paths include:

• Law firms: Many professionals start their careers at law firms as associates. You could be considered for partnership by the 5-year mark, particularly if you work for a smaller, boutique-style firm.
• Judicial clerkship: Typically a one or two-year stint, a clerkship is a great way to gain experience. Clerkships often lead to positions in private practice or government.
• In-house counsel: Lawyers working in corporate legal departments manage a wide range of legal matters. Within 5 years, they can specialize and lead teams. 
• Legal academia (law professorship) is another popular route, especially for those who love the intellectual side of the profession but would rather teach than argue cases.
• Non-profit: Many non-profit organizations rely on lawyers for legal expertise and advocacy.

According to one leading source, a significant number of JD graduates leave the legal profession within the first five years, due to burnout, a lack of work-life balance, and dissatisfaction with the practice of law. On the upside, the American Bar Association notes that “during the past decade, the number of lawyers has grown by more than 41,000.” Opportunities abound for those who possess the will and the requisite skill set to pursue this rigorous path. However, keep in mind that options and earnings for those with a master’s degree can be just as lucrative and engaging.

Ready to get started? Then you’ll want to check out Prelum’s courses for teens interested in law. Like medicine, the field of law is vast, encompassing career paths for those who wish to pursue a JD, as well as for those who want to work in law, but not necessarily as attorneys. 

Take the first step with programs for teens interested in the legal field, including courses offered through the Rice University Precollege Program. Titled Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World, this course explores the mechanics of the legal system, ownership rights, employment law, and the intersection of civil rights and the law. 

It makes sense to weigh all of the above before deciding to pursue a 3-year commitment to a JD degree and potentially pass the bar. However, if you still believe this is the path for you, you'll want to start considering your options and the chances of succeeding beyond the 5-year mark.

The master’s degree in law

A master’s degree in law can take you down a number of interesting paths. With a master’s in legal studies (MLS), opportunities include:

• Compliance manager: Ensures an organization is compliant with mandatory regulations.
• Contracts manager: Reviews and executes contracts with clients and vendors.
• Human resources manager: Oversees the development of employees.
• Mediator: Negotiates legal conflicts with willing parties outside of the courtroom.
• Paralegal / Legal assistant: Supports staff in law offices.
• Accountant: Manages financial records and ensures compliance with tax laws.

As a high school student, still unsure if the attorney route is right for you, consider the Northwestern Pre-College Online Program. In it, you’ll find a course titled Law: From Interview to Argument. You’ll learn what it takes to be a lawyer. You’ll support a hypothetical client, and explore the fundamental reasoning skills needed to think and persuade like an attorney.

Where will you be with 5 years of experience under your belt with an MLS degree? 

You can move up in any of the above professions, amplify your earnings, and decide if the JD is what you truly want, or if you are challenged and satisfied with your current situation. Keep in mind, the paths open to an MLS degree holder are varied and plentiful, and the earnings sometimes match those of an attorney.

The bachelor’s degree 

Above are just some of the careers you can pursue with a master’s degree in law. There are also careers available to those with a bachelor’s degree. Some of these include:

• Paralegal: Assist attorneys with drafting legal documents.
• Law enforcement officer: Enforce the law, issue citations and arrest warrants when merited.
• Real estate agent: Draw up legal contracts and oversee all filings according to the laws of the field.
• Law librarian: Has extensive knowledge of legal publications; serves as an information hub for legal resources.
• Probation officer: Work in legal correctional departments in conjunction with local and state courts.

Where might you be after 5 years with a bachelor’s degree and a job in the legal profession?

A bachelor’s degree in legal studies will set you up for law firm, government, and corporate career opportunities. These jobs allow you to see if a master’s, JD degree, or taking the bar is the right next step. Regardless of which path you choose, be sure to review all that our partner schools have to offer.

With Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, you’ll have access to some of the top colleges and universities in the nation. Once again, be sure to review law opportunities for high school students. All courses are delivered in a flexible format, led by renowned faculty, and featuring dynamic videos with interactive tools. Study anywhere, anytime that fits your schedule, and receive support from seasoned mentors who will guide your learning experience. Upon successful delivery of a Final Project, earn a Certificate of Completion that you can add to your applications.

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 08/29/2025.