When in law school, you should actively pursue securing work both to gain applicable experience and for the sake of having a job. Any exposure you can get to the legal industry will help you gain exposure and networking connections. For those who do not prepare for employment after completing an online degree, it may become an uphill battle. Prepare accordingly and make a long-term plan for establishing yourself in a law career. Here are some careers you can expect to find available to you after law school:

Associate Attorney
This position is typically filled by recent law graduates. There are varying levels of attorney positions, each of which is responsible for different duties. The associate performs many of the duties leading up to a trial with a senior attorney or partner supervising or directing their work. They work on fewer cases than attorneys who have proven themselves, though these professionals participate in every aspect of trial preparation. Most associates can expect to retain their associate status for upwards of five to seven years before filling a higher role in a legal firm. This position can be filled in any area of law, though regardless of the field you choose, you will be required to work long hours and show exceptional analytical skills to assist in effectively closing multiple cases on tight deadlines.

Patent Examiner
The patent examiner fulfills a highly technical and legal role in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. An examiner reviews patent applications as they are submitted and assesses compliance with Federal laws. Strong analytical skills will be necessary in this line of work to define the scope of the patent, the applications and technologies. You will be required to extensively review large bodies of technical information, which requires an extensive attention for detail and the ability to research effectively.

Investment Banking Officer
Many individuals with a background in law turn to investment banking. They organize and negotiate large financial transactions according to the needs of clients. For example, transactions may include corporate mergers or acquisitions, which would then rely on the banking officer’s understanding of corporate and finance law. You will need to be personable and professional as you will interact with clients on behalf of your employer in order to help them find remedies and establish long-term plans.

Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action (EO/AA) Officer
These individuals are either employed by a company or employed through a state or federal agency to investigate inquiries or formal complaints made by applicants or employees. Their duties revolve around mediating violation claims, evaluating EO/AA programs and measuring the success of such programs. You will be required to interpret federal and state equal employment opportunity requirements and apply them to departments or programs. You will need to possess strong interpersonal skills as well as attention to detail in order to ensure that companies are protected legally by the policies they enact for employees.

Litigation Examiner
These individuals are often employed at insurance companies and are tasked with investigating and handling general liability and insurance claims. They review settled claims to determine if payments are being made and confer with legal counsel on cases that require litigation. Your task is to ensure that clients pay the funds required of them, so you will need to be personable as you work to help people pay outstanding debts.