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Exploring Careers in Federal Law Enforcement: A Lawrence Student’s Guide

Federal law enforcement careers—such as roles with the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and other agencies—offer challenging yet rewarding opportunities for those dedicated to protecting public safety and upholding the law. For Lawrence students considering this career path, there are several aspects to consider, from academic preparation to practical experiences and personal traits.

Academic Preparation

Focus on Relevant Majors:
While criminal justice degrees are often preferred when starting a career in local law enforcement, it is not a requirement. In fact, many police departments require candidates to complete training at a police academy. The academy provides the necessary education in law enforcement techniques, legal procedures, and physical training.

Lawrence students should consider pursuing degrees government or psychology. Those programs, coupled with Lawrentian’s skilled in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving are highly sought after by law enforcement at all levels.  Additionally, specialized classes in international relations, cybersecurity, accounting, or foreign languages can be advantageous, especially for federal agencies that deal with international or technologically sophisticated cases.

Develop Critical Skills:

  • Analytical Thinking: Courses in statistics, research methods, and data analysis help develop the ability to process and interpret complex information.
  • Communication: Both written and verbal communication skills are essential, as law enforcement officers often prepare reports, testify in court, and work within teams.
  • Ethical Decision-Making: Understanding ethics and legal frameworks through coursework in criminal law or ethics ensures a strong moral foundation for the challenges ahead.

Hands-on Experiences in College

Internships and Field Programs:
Securing internships with local law enforcement agencies or federal agencies’ outreach programs can provide invaluable exposure. Many communities offer internships, ride-along programs, or even volunteer opportunities within police departments.

Simulation Exercises and Workshops:
Participate in training exercises, mock investigations, forensic labs, or research. These practical experiences not only hone technical skills but also give a taste of the real-world scenarios encountered in law enforcement.

Join or Start Relevant Clubs and Organizations:
Consider joining or forming clubs related to criminal justice, legal issues, or ROTC programs. These groups often host guest speakers, offer mentorship, and create networking opportunities with professionals in the field.

Additional Ways to Prepare

Networking and Mentorship:
Attend career fairs, seminars, and law enforcement conferences. Networking with professionals already in the field can provide insights into the day-to-day realities of the job and reveal pathways to internships or entry-level positions.

Academic Research Projects:
Engage in research related to criminal justice policies, law enforcement practices, or emerging challenges in security. This not only deepens your academic understanding but also builds a resume that highlights your initiative and expertise.

Certifications and Extra Training:
Explore certifications in areas like cybersecurity, first aid, or even self-defense. Many federal agencies value candidates who go beyond their college curriculum to acquire practical skills.

The Role of Military Experience and Local Policing

Military Experience:
Many federal law enforcement agencies appreciate military backgrounds. Military training instills discipline, physical fitness, leadership, and stress management—all qualities that translate well into law enforcement roles. Veterans often have an edge during the hiring process, thanks to their proven track record of teamwork and resilience.

Local Police Department Experience:
Starting a career in a local police department can provide a solid foundation. This experience exposes you to the fundamentals of law enforcement, community relations, and the practical challenges of policing. However, it’s important to recognize that federal law enforcement roles may involve additional responsibilities, broader jurisdiction, and more specialized training. Experience in local policing can serve as a stepping stone, but it is essential to continually update your skills and knowledge to meet federal standards.

Pros and Cons of Working in Law Enforcement

The Advantages:

  • Sense of Purpose: Many officers find deep fulfillment in serving and protecting their communities.
  • Career Stability and Advancement: Law enforcement often offers clear career paths and opportunities for advancement, along with competitive benefits.
  • Variety and Challenge: The dynamic nature of law enforcement means no two days are the same, providing intellectual and physical challenges that keep the work engaging.

The Challenges:

  • High Stress and Risk: The job often involves dangerous situations, long hours, and high levels of stress.
  • Bureaucratic Hurdles: Navigating complex regulations and protocols can sometimes be frustrating.
  • Public Scrutiny: Increased media attention and public expectations demand continuous professionalism and ethical conduct, which can add pressure to the role.

Who Best Fits This Line of Work?

Federal law enforcement roles are best suited for individuals who are:

  • Disciplined and Resilient: The ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a high level of integrity is crucial.
  • Detail-Oriented: Precision in both investigative work and documentation is essential.
  • Strong Communicators: Effective interpersonal and communication skills facilitate teamwork and community relations.
  • Adaptable Problem-Solvers: The capacity to quickly analyze situations and adapt to new challenges is vital in an ever-changing field.
  • Ethically Grounded: A deep commitment to upholding the law and ethical principles is fundamental to success in federal law enforcement.

Career Outlook and Future Prospects

The demand for skilled law enforcement professionals remains steady, with evolving challenges such as cybercrime, terrorism, and organized crime ensuring that agencies continually adapt. Federal law enforcement careers are expected to remain robust, particularly for those with advanced training in technology, intelligence, and specialized investigative skills. Continuous professional development and adaptability will be key in a field that is both highly competitive and mission-critical.

Conclusion

Pursuing a career in federal law enforcement is both challenging and highly rewarding. By focusing on relevant academic programs, seeking hands-on experiences, networking with professionals, and considering paths like military service or local policing, college students can build a strong foundation for a successful career in this field. With a clear understanding of both the opportunities and challenges, aspiring law enforcement professionals can embark on a journey that not only builds a stable career but also contributes significantly to national security and public service.

JD Advantage

In the legal profession, the traditional career trajectory for most law school graduates typically involves passing the bar, working as an attorney at a law firm, becoming a public defender or prosecutor, or serving as corporate in-house counsel. However, as the legal landscape continues to evolve, a growing number of law graduates are pursuing JD Advantage jobs, which provide career opportunities that leverage the skills gained in law school without requiring bar admission or practicing law in a traditional sense.

These roles offer law school graduates an exciting and diverse range of professional opportunities while capitalizing on their legal training.

What is a JD advantage? JD Advantage (or “Juris Doctor Advantage”) jobs are positions that do not require a law license or the direct practice of law but where a Juris Doctor (JD) degree provides a distinct advantage. These roles draw on the critical thinking, problem-solving, negotiation, and research skills that law graduates acquire, while allowing them to work in areas adjacent to the legal field or in entirely different industries.

Such jobs can be found across a wide array of industries, including compliance, human resources, consulting, government affairs, risk management, contract management, and even tech. JD Advantage jobs often come with similar earning potential and career growth opportunities as traditional law firm positions, making them an appealing option for law graduates who wish to explore non-traditional career paths.

Key Characteristics of JD Advantage Jobs

No Bar Admission Required: These positions do not require passing the bar exam or a legal license, though having a JD degree is beneficial.

Diverse Career Fields: JD Advantage jobs are found in numerous sectors including business, finance, healthcare, education, and government. This allows law graduates to pursue roles aligned with their personal interests and skills.

Application of Legal Knowledge: While these roles may not involve practicing law directly, they often benefit from a candidate’s legal education, particularly when it comes to understanding regulations, contracts, or legal risk management.

JD Advantage careers span a broad range of industries and roles. Some of the most common examples include:

Compliance Officer: Compliance professionals ensure that companies adhere to laws, regulations, and internal policies. In highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and insurance, a background in law is incredibly valuable when managing compliance programs and mitigating legal risks.

Contract Manager: Law graduates are well-suited for contract management roles, where they review, negotiate, and ensure the legal and financial terms of contracts are in the best interest of their employers. This role is common in large corporations, tech companies, and government agencies.

Policy Analyst: Many law graduates work in policy analysis, where they research and assess the impact of laws, regulations, and public policies. This role is particularly common in think tanks, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Human Resources (HR) Professional: Legal training can be particularly useful in HR roles, especially when it comes to navigating employment law, labor relations, and employee contracts. JD holders in HR often manage company policies related to compliance with labor laws and dispute resolution.

Consultant: JD graduates can apply their problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills in consulting roles. Many law graduates work in legal consulting, helping companies navigate regulatory changes, or in broader business consulting where they advise on risk management, mergers, and corporate governance.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist: In industries like pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and energy, regulatory specialists ensure that companies comply with government regulations. JD holders are particularly valuable in understanding the legal complexities of these regulations and how they apply to product development and business operations.

Risk Manager: Risk managers help companies identify, assess, and mitigate risks, whether legal, financial, or operational. JD graduates are well-equipped for this role due to their understanding of risk assessment and legal implications in business decisions.

Legal Tech and AI Specialist: With the rise of legal technology, JD holders are increasingly entering tech-driven roles that involve developing and implementing legal software, artificial intelligence tools, and solutions that improve the efficiency of legal processes.

While law firms are known for demanding work hours, many JD Advantage roles offer more predictable work schedules, providing a better work-life balance for those who prioritize it. Careers in compliance, consulting, or HR, for example, tend to have more structured hours than a high-pressure litigation job. Many JD Advantage positions offer salaries comparable to those in traditional legal roles. For example, compliance officers, risk managers, and policy analysts often enjoy lucrative compensation packages, especially as they advance in their careers.

The demand for JD Advantage professionals has grown in recent years as businesses and organizations increasingly recognize the value of legal knowledge across various domains. As laws and regulations become more complex, particularly in industries like finance, healthcare, and technology, professionals who understand legal frameworks but also possess business acumen are highly sought after.

Additionally, the shift towards legal tech and AI is creating new opportunities for law graduates to merge their legal expertise with technological innovation. Legal departments are now looking for professionals who can help integrate AI tools, blockchain technology, and data analytics into their operations, opening up even more non-traditional roles for JD holders.

JD Advantage jobs represent an exciting and expanding frontier for law graduates who want to apply their legal knowledge without following the traditional attorney path. These roles allow law professionals to leverage their analytical and problem-solving skills across various industries, from compliance and risk management to tech and policy analysis. For many, JD Advantage careers offer an ideal balance of intellectual challenge, job satisfaction, and work-life balance, making them an increasingly popular choice for new graduates and experienced professionals alike.

How to make your Law School application stand out

You are approaching the end of your junior year at Lawrence. You have already carefully chosen your major, taken rigorous, relevant courses, and earned a strong GPA. You have also completed several pieces of research, become an excellent writer, and accomplished a great deal in an internship, specific extracurricular activity, or on-campus job. Now you are ready to start seriously thinking about your law school applications. How will you stand out from all the other applicants?

To stand out in a competitive pool requires a multi-pronged approach. Here are some specific actions you can take:

Maximize your LSAT score: This often carries the most weight. While aiming for a top score is ideal, consider retaking the test if you think you can improve significantly.

Tell your unique story: The personal statement is an especially important part of your application. Do not just list achievements. Instead, highlight your motivations, experiences, and how they shaped your passion for law.

Highlight specific skills and qualities: Use your personal statement and CV to demonstrate strengths like analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and leadership through anecdotes and examples.

Highlight relevant work experience and education: Your CV should also be used to highlight your academic achievements and any legal internships, or paralegal jobs you may have held. Unrelated jobs can also be included if they demonstrate responsibility, time management, and transferable skills.

Proofread meticulously: Eliminate typos and grammatical errors.

Get someone to review your material: Have someone with expertise in this area review your application material. Career Center staff and faculty members are extremely helpful in this regard.

Tailor your application to each school: Highlight features that align with their specific interests and programs.

Provide strong letters of recommendation: Choose faculty recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic strengths and potential.

Consider optional essays: If offered, use them to address potential weaknesses or provide further context to your story.

Be genuine and authentic: Let your personality shine through, showing the admissions committee who you are beyond numbers and scores.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. However, by focusing on academic excellence, crafting compelling narratives, highlighting diverse experiences, and presenting a well-polished application, you can increase your chances of standing out in the competitive law school application pool.

Being and Working for an Elected Attorney

Elected attorneys are everywhere and are necessary in every city and state, and there are only two ways to get the job: run for it or be appointed to it. There are two main types of elected attorneys: attorneys general, who oversee a state, and district attorneys, who oversee a county, city, or general area, depending on the state. If you are interested in both law and politics, then serving as (or for) an elected attorney could be a goal for you!

Here in Wisconsin, we have seventy-one district attorneys, or DAs (we have seventy-two counties, but Shawano and Menominee counties unite to elect one DA) and one attorney general, or AG. In Appleton (and Outagamie County as a whole), our DA is Mindy Tempelis, and she is responsible for three main things: prosecuting all criminal actions and asset seizure for the county, arguing her position in front of the appellate or supreme court if summoned by the Attorney General, and managing the prosecutorial unit (regarding budget and administrative issues). DAs also can issue subpoenas for a grand jury and oversee the proceedings.

The Wisconsin Attorney General, Josh Kaul, is in charge of answering questions about the law to officials, examining and certifying both bonds and trust funds, managing the state Department of Justice, and appointing people who can manage and represent the state as either defense or prosecution (depending on the case). Rarely ever do attorneys general prosecute cases, so it seems, at a first glance especially, that district attorneys have more power than attorneys general, but the state DOJ oversees more territory.

All district attorneys and attorneys general are Juris Doctors and have passed the bar exam, which you would need to do if you had interest in one of these positions. However, there are many appointed positions within both sectors. Most people they hire are law school graduates or paralegals, but there are positions (such as chief of staff and some directing posts) that may only require a bachelor’s degree. Students who have studied government/political science, history, and economics have the greatest likelihood of landing a job working for a DA or AG.

DAs and AGs are both vital to making law work. If you end up with a JD, have ideas you think would make the world a better place, and want to enter the political arena, throw your hat in the ring! With a cause people can get behind, you may have what it takes to win!

WORKS CITED:

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/978/001

https://medium.com/durham-district-attorneys-office/explained-the-role-of-the-district-attorney-7dbebd69b132

https://www.zippia.com/attorney-general-jobs/what-does-an-attorney-general-do/

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/165/015

https://www.doj.state.wi.us/professional-profiles

Spencer R. Brown is a junior in their first year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as a media and marketing assistant in the Career Center, and curates articles for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities. A writer and animator by trade and part-time mascot, Spencer is fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

Legal Assistants and Paralegals

When people talk about the most popular and important jobs in the legal world, many might say lawyers and lawmakers. However, legal assistants and paralegals are necessary for lawyers and lawmakers to do their jobs.  While the terms paralegals and legal assistants are often lumped together, the two roles can have very different qualifications and tasks to complete. If you are interested in a legal profession that does not require a law degree, and keeps you out of the spotlight while still doing important, steady, well-paid work, then a paralegal or legal assistant job might be for you!

 Paralegals are specifically qualified, with most having an associate’s degree or certification in paralegal studies.  Some law firms will hire paralegals with a bachelor’s degree in a humanities program and then train you to get a paralegal certification while on the job. Paralegals are hyper-focused on getting everything ready for trials: drafting legal documents, researching laws, interviewing clients and generally helping lawyers prepare.

Legal assistants are less specialized, and usually carry the blunt of the administrative work around the firm; they help schedule and keep track of appointments and meetings, and manage the financial work such as billing of clients. However, their work may also encompasses plenty of tasks accomplished by paralegals, such as conducting legal research and creating and proofreading documents. Legal assistants usually only need a high school diploma to be hired, however there are legal assistant certifications that improve one’s chances of being hired.

The job market for legal assistants and paralegals has gotten increasingly competitive, and if you are at Lawrence, you might already be qualified for at least one of these positions! To be a paralegal or legal assistant, you should be organized, with great writing and communication skills alongside a great deal of tech savviness. It is also important to note that paralegals and legal assistants can be anywhere: in government, in law firms, and in businesses.  Therefore, if that interests you, being a paralegal or legal assistant might just be the job for you!

WORKS CITED:

https://www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/paralegal?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9fitmIHP_QIVkAytBh1V-Q8CEAAYAyAAEgKuF_D_BwE&aceid=&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm

https://onlinemasteroflegalstudies.com/career-guides/become-a-paralegal/paralegal-vs-legal-assistant/

Spencer R. Brown is a sophomore experiencing their first year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as a Marketing and Media Assistant in the Career Center and creates content for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities. A writer and animator by trade, Spencer is fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

American Bar Foundation Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship

Undergraduate students considering a career in law already know that it’s hard to get hands-on legal experience such as internships if you’re not in law school. Luckily, there are a few programs that are designed to provide undergrads with the experience they seek. One such program is the American Bar Foundation (ABF) Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship.

According to their web site, the American Bar Foundation (ABF) looks “for students students who demonstrate a strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity and who take initiative with mentors by asking questions and expressing a genuine interest in their research. Preference is given to candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to first-generation and low-income students and students of color.

This fellowship introduces undergraduate students to the rewards and demands of a research-oriented career in law and/or social science. It also provides guidance about the many career options under the umbrella of the legal profession. Each Fellow will be assigned an ABF Research Professor who will involve the Fellow in their research project and act as a mentor during the Fellow’s tenure. In previous years, Fellows have supported faculty members’ work by conducting archival research, creating literature reviews, and coding qualitative data collected from interviews and newspaper reports. In addition to partnering with a faculty mentor, Fellows will meet with other ABF faculty and affiliates.”

For more information, including pay, eligibility and the program application, visit the ABF Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program web site. The annual deadline to apply is in late January or early February.