Why study law? How a law degree gives you options
If you’re an aspiring leader, you’re probably looking at what you need for the next step in your career. One option to consider is whether a law degree is worth it.
Law degrees can lead to careers that go well beyond a law firm. Whether you want to step up into the C-suite, combine your existing qualifications to enter a speciality law field or change your career entirely, studying law can lead to many possibilities.
In this article, we look at how studying law can improve opportunities for leadership and help you upskill your knowledge so you can take the next step in your career.
Should I study law?
Is a law degree worth it? If you’re wondering why you should study law, there are plenty of reasons. A law degree is an exciting, challenging course that can help further your career and help you make a difference.
Often, people are concerned about the time commitment of studying law, particularly if they have a full-time job or family commitments. However, in today’s hybrid world, there are many options available to you that are fully flexible and designed to work for you and with you.
For example, when you study law online with the University of Canberra, you can study part time with intakes every two months and focus on learning one accelerated unit at a time. You can instantly add value to your career with the wide variety of subjects offered.
You can also build a course that aligns with your professional goals. At the University of Canberra’s law school, each subject is career-relevant and on-demand. You can choose the subjects most relevant for you now and apply the knowledge you’ve learnt at law school directly in your workplace.
7 reasons to study law
There are many reasons to pursue a law degree, but it’s not all about becoming a lawyer.
Here are several reasons to study law.
Gain multipurpose skills for a range of fields
With the University of Canberra’s Juris Doctor, you can choose the legal subjects that will best prepare you for a career in leadership.
For example, in our unit called Negotiation, you will learn how to identify and analyse culture, ethical and power relations related to negotiation and learn effective negotiation strategies across a wide range of environments and disciplines.
In Legal Theory, you will apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to legal issues, which can apply to a broad range of careers.
In Advanced Legal Research Writing and Skills, you will learn advanced legal research and writing skills to navigate real-world problems and consider how these skills can develop your professional life.
Almost all subjects will help develop your independent and collaborative professional communication skills to help you resolve disputes, collaborate with peers and develop solutions.
These skills can improve the impact you make in your current role. They can also apply to various roles beyond the legal profession if that’s where you want to go.
Law graduates can access diverse careers
You might be wondering if earning a law degree is worthwhile if you don’t intend to become a lawyer. However, attending law school doesn’t mean you have to follow a legal career. In reality, law graduates possess the skills and experience that can help them succeed in various fields.
For example, people with law degrees often find success in various fields, such as:
- Journalism: With their attention to detail, natural scepticism and writing skills, people with law degrees often make excellent journalists.
- Recruitment: Legal recruitment could be a natural career path because they understand the legal system.
- Accounting: Lawyers and accountants share many skill sets, including attention to detail and critical thinking, so entering an accounting firm can be a natural option.
- Politics: Many Australian politicians started their careers with a law degree. Understanding the ins and outs of the constitution and law reform can be very helpful for a career in politics and political science.
- Human resources: This career path makes sense because lawyers understand employment law and how to mitigate employee risks.
Flexible options available for law careers
A law career can offer surprising flexibility. For example, you might have the time to put in longer hours into your career. If that’s the case, you could work your way up the ladder at a more traditional law firm and reap the benefits in the years to come.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for more work-life balance or flexible hours, you might consider law firms with a flatter structure. These firms allow for a more collaborative structure with flexible working hours, making them more appealing if you have other priorities.
There is a wide range of roles within law, including being a solicitor, barrister, magistrate or judge. Depending on what you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a job that suits your lifestyle.
Potential for salary increases
Not only are people with a law degree highly employable, but they also earn well. According to the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey from Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT), 84.5 per cent of paralegal and law students in 2023 had secured a full-time job within four to six months of graduating.
The survey found that the median starting salary for law graduates was $73,000, with the potential to rise quickly. Lawyers in private practice with two years of experience post-qualification are earning up to $145,000 in top-tier Sydney law firms.
At a Counsel level, you could earn up to $360,000 at a top-tier law firm in Sydney or up to $350,000 in Melbourne.
Diverse law degrees for your goals
Studying law no longer requires committing to hours of in-person lectures and tutorials.
With the University of Canberra’s online course, you can expand your knowledge of legal fundamentals in a truly flexible way. We have intakes every two months, so you can study one unit at a time, online and accelerated.
You also don’t have to commit to studying the entire Juris Doctor postgraduate degree upfront.
Our law school offers you the opportunity to graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Law in as little as eight months. It has a Public Policy stream and a Business stream so you can tailor it to your strengths and career ambitions.
You can also complete a Graduate Diploma in Law in 16 months. If you decide to continue with the Juris Doctor degree, it can be fast-tracked to three years for the entire degree.
Join an intellectually challenging field
Law is known for being intellectually rigorous. With subjects full of critical thinking, strategy, debate and in-depth analysis, studying law can test you at every stage.
Many students love that when they study for a law degree, they meet ambitious, like-minded people who aren’t afraid of a challenge. They feel intellectually satisfied and know that the things they’re learning will speed up their careers.
Help and protect others
Many people choose to become lawyers to help others, not just for personal reasons. They often want to make a real difference for those who can't speak up for themselves.
Lawyers often have a deep sense of justice and want to help people solve problems. They want to do good while enjoying working with people and helping them get the right outcomes.
Is a law degree right for me?
Law is a growing field in Australia. It’s expected that practising law occupations will grow by 12 per cent between 2023 and 2028. A third of those employed in the legal profession will be postgraduate qualified.
Whether you want to further your current career or start a new one, a law degree could be an excellent first step. Learning valuable skills like problem solving, critical thinking and dispute resolution will help you in a wide range of professions.
Studying online through the University of Canberra is a flexible way of enhancing your qualifications and helping you achieve your professional goals. In just eight months, you could have a Graduate Certificate in Law with the skills you need to make a real difference in your career.
Learn from leading academics, recognised research and industry experts. You will also have the support of a dedicated professional Student Success Adviser to support you throughout your study journey and access to an online community of students.
If you’d like to learn more about the course, our Student Enrolment Advisers are on hand to give you more information about the courses and give you some more information about why you should study law.
Are you ready to make a difference?
The University of Canberra is an ambitious university for ambitious people. Our practical, supported and accelerated online courses are designed to deliver outcomes that create real impact and inspire real change in the world around us.
With the University of Canberra, you can gain the legal skills you need to excel in your career wherever you choose to apply your skills.
Our Juris Doctor is designed to give you comprehensive legal skills, advanced theoretical and technical knowledge, and practical dispute resolution abilities to progress your career. This degree can be completed in as little as four years part-time or three years fast-tracked.
If you need a shorter course, our Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is a foundational look at legal fundamentals, advocacy skills and practical problem-solving strategies for a changing world. It can be completed in just 16 months.
For a rapid upskill, we also offer a Graduate Certificate in Law, allowing professionals to quickly gain essential legal knowledge and skills to navigate, lead and influence high-stakes discussions and strategic decisions.
Want to discover where studying law can take you? Speak to one of our Student Advisers about the University of Canberra’s online law degrees to discuss which might be right for you.
