It’s no secret that a law career supported by a reputable education is not only strenuous on your wallet, but also an arduous task for your character. Much like a career in medicine, it’s not a decision to be made lightly, for it will shape your future, impact your personal life and challenge you in numerous ways throughout your professional development.

Assess your main motivators

It’s perfectly reasonable to be drawn to the prospect of a high income which many legal professions offer, but if potential financial gain is your sole motivator for the entire endeavour, then you might as well quit while you’re ahead. In order to even get close to a financially stable life after graduation, it takes years of building a reputation in your community (if not wider) to deserve the trust of your potential clients and thus succeed in the profession or simply advance in your career.

On the other hand, the sheer passion for justice is not nearly enough of a motivator to keep you going through years of fighting for every legal experience possible, being in the loop with the latest legal amendments and changes in a country’s legal system to keep up with the market, and always invest in refreshing your knowledge through specialization courses, etc. Your ambition needs to be backed up with self-discipline, a sharp mind, the desire to make a difference, and plenty of competitive spirit.

Level of education

Getting into strong, reputable schools such as Harvard, University of Melbourne or Cambridge requires a strong prior education represented not only by top-notch grades and impeccable school performance, but also a strong expression of your personality through extra-curricular activities, volunteering and showing initiative in your school projects.

However, if you already have a solid basis in the aforementioned sections, then perhaps it would be wise to get acquainted with the requirements your desired school has. For instance, you can research Unimelb past exams online and get a glimpse of the subject matter certain courses cover, expectations of each exam and the amount of material every course involves. It’s wise to prepare yourself for the amount of learning that lies ahead, before you decide if you’re cut out for law.

Define your goals

Few people have the luxury of walking through their academic education wishy-washy about their goals, as the investments you need to make are too high for you to have little direction. Although you don’t have to have a strict vision of working in a specific law firm, you should at least have a fair grasp of what type of a legal career you can envision for yourself.

International, criminal, civil or corporate, every branch requires different education courses, different experience and the sooner you define your passion and your main interests, the easier it becomes to tailor your path towards your goals. Roaming aimlessly through your university years is not a promising start for a legal career.

Determine your personality

In addition to having specific qualities that will drive your desire through the challenges of reaching your potential, you should find ways to assess objectively whether or not you are the right fit for the job, as much as you should know if the job fits you. It’s one thing to enjoy a good episode of Suits, and a completely different matter to sacrifice your social and personal life for the sake of a career.

It’s also much more than pure intelligence that you need to cope with the volume of knowledge. You need time-management skills to match those of a corporate accountant with a spotless record – handling as much work as possible in as little time as you can without making mistakes. You also need high emotional stability, tolerance to failure and a strong moral compass.

A legal career can be as rewarding as it can be overwhelming. Before you embark on your journey, make sure to evaluate yourself, your potential and your accomplishments in order to choose the right direction that will help you succeed.