Lawyer: Career Guide Lawyers can act as legal defense representing clients in civil or criminal proceedings, as attorneys for a plaintiff in civil proceedings, or as prosecutors representing the government in criminal proceedings. They may initiate lawsuits, represent private citizens, corporations, or the government, or serve in advisory positions. Lawyers may legally practice after completing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is a professional doctorate, and successfully passing the bar exam in the state(s) in which they want to work. Attorneys often forge their own career paths. In addition to practicing law, seasoned attorneys may teach at colleges or universities, become corporate executives, or enter politics. In fact, numerous presidents – including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Franklin Roosevelt – were all attorneys prior to becoming politicians. Experienced lawyers may also go on to run to become a judge. Lawyers may be employed by the government, private law firms, b...
Should I Become a Doctor? Degree Level M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O (doctor of osteopathic medicine) Degree Field(s) Pre-med (bachelor's degree) then medical school License/Certification All states require licensure; certifications available Experience 3-7 year residency (required for licensure) Key Skills Problem solving, leadership, empathy, and communication; proficiency with specialized tools and technology; emotional stability and ability to handle stress Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Doctors provide diagnoses, treatments, and counseling to individuals with illnesses, diseases, or injuries. Some of their many responsibilities include examining patients, collecting patient information, performing diagnostic tests, and discussing test results. Physicians fall into two main categories: medical doctors (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) . Both types of doctors treat patients, but D.O.s also use preventive medicine and h...