The University of British Columbia

Career Profiles – Alternative Careers

In an effort to give law students some further insight to various career possibilities in legal or non-legal fields, nine law school graduates completed an informal survey. Participants were asked to answer a series of questions regarding their present career and how they got to where they are. All participants have completed their law degree though not necessarily from UBC. Participants were selected from a variety of fields. The primary criterion for selection is that they had decided not to work as many lawyers do – in some type of ‘law firm.’

Participants were asked to candidly respond to the following questions:

1. Please provide a brief job description. What are some of the typical or exciting things that you would do in a day’s work?
2. What are some of the favorite things about your career? What type of personal satisfaction do you derive from it?
3. How did your career unfold to get you where you are?
4. What are the lifestyle benefits and drawbacks that come with your career? If possible, please provide salary expectations.
5. Was previous work experience relevant or essential to getting this career?
6. Is there any advice you could offer regarding what to do while in law school – essential law courses, networking or market research for example?

Hopefully the following profiles will give you further ideas about the variety of alternative career opportunities out there for those with a legal education. Remember, this is just a small sample of the opportunities out there. Any suggestions as to who else should be profiled are welcomed!

• General Counsel, Coast Hotels and Resorts
• Director: Intellectual Property, Husky Injection Moulding Systems Ltd.
• Director of Insurance: Lawyers Insurance Fund
• Director, Center for Conflict Resolution, Justice Institute of B.C.
• Dispute Resolution
• Director, Lawyers Assistance Program
• Special Assistant (Tour), Office of the Prime Minister
• Mediator
• Law Student (name withheld)