Working in the field of law can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience, especially if it’s something about which you’re truly passionate. There are a ton of ways that an individual can get to work in the legal field, and if you’re all about truth, justice, and the American way (or not the American way, if you’re in any other country, which is completely fine) then there’s plenty you can do to uphold these things without having to go and become a police officer. As it turns out, plenty can be done towards a career in the legal field without risking your life, at all. There are lots of ways that you can enjoy a long and successful career working with the law, but if it’s something about which you’re truly thinking, then it’s a smart idea to consider every possible angle of your potential decision. Every job has its upsides and downsides, whether you’re a carnie at a traveling carnival or a state Senator. There will always be the things about your job that you absolutely love, and there will always be those things about your job that make you wish you could have stayed in bed when the alarm went off earlier this morning. When it comes to being a lawyer, the commitment you’ll make to your career is a pretty big one. We’ll talk about all the things you should consider, so you can have a great idea of the pros and cons that come along with working in the legal field. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into.

To start with the pros, working in the legal field can be incredibly rewarding. This does certainly depend on exactly which way you choose to align yourself, and what position you wind up taking. Not every legal career directly involves providing some kind of assistance to others, but many do and if you’re a people person, the legal field is a great way for you to interact with new folks all the time. The pay is also nothing to scoff at — especially if you wind up becoming a lawyer. The services you’ll provide as such are important, and you’ll be compensated very well for them. You’ll also have the benefit of being very well-educated, and having an impressive command of the law and legality.

Working in a legal field does require a heck of a lot of work and expensive education, however. The college coursework that you’ll have to complete in law school is plenty more advanced and intense than your standard four-year education, and anyone who’s ever read a John Grisham novel knows that starting your career as a lawyer usually involves a lengthy stint doing grunt work as a paralegal. Even the most polished car accident lawyer has to start somewhere. If you’re thinking about a career in the legal field, it’s smart to consider every aspect of what you’ll do on a daily basis at your new job.