Attorney ($34,000 - 50,000)
Job Description
Attorneys, or lawyers, who practice law, do two major things. First, they advise
individuals and organizations about ways of preventing legal problems by
informing them of their legal rights and responsibilities. Second, lawyers
provide counsel if their clients do get into legal difficulty. In providing
these services, attorneys do legal research, prepare documents, write briefs,
interview parties and witnesses to legal problems, and advocate their clients'
cases both in and out of court. (However, while many people think of lawyers in
terms of trials, few licensed attorneys are trial lawyers.)
Most
lawyers are employed in private practice, although many work for government
agencies and corporations. Some have general law practices, which involve
matters such as writing wills and contracts. Others specialize in one or two
legal areas, such as criminal law, labor law, property law, family law, contract
law, environmental law, international law, or tax law. Still others work with
legal services programs representing poor people. A small number of lawyers are
judges, while some attorneys also use their legal knowledge to teach classes in
law schools and colleges. In addition, a significant number of individuals in
public life at the local, state, and federal levels are attorneys.
Education
To become a licensed attorney, one must attend four years of college and receive
a bachelor's degree and then attend a three-year college of law approved by the
American Bar Association. Years ago, some studied law by working with certified
lawyers instead of attending law school. Today, this is extremely rare.
Each
attorney candidate must also pass all parts of the bar exam in the state in
which he or she wishes to establish a practice. Finally, except in a few states
where graduation from the state's law school qualifies one to practice law, an
attorney candidate must also pass a national test, the multistate bar
examination.
College
classes helpful in preparation for the practice of law include writing, speech,
drama, foreign languages, logic, computers, philosophy, history, government,
mathematics, business, word processing and accounting, as well as others.
Special Skills
The practice of law is an especially demanding profession. Among the essential
skills a person must bring to the profession is an ability to work efficiently
under pressure while relating in a positive manner to people. An attorney must
be a good listener as well as a good communicator. Attorneys must be able to
think and write precisely and logically and must be able to give clear, concise
directions to clients and co-workers. They must also be able to meet strict
deadlines and maintain the confidentiality of clients' communications and have a
good knowledge of computers.
Salary and Benefits
The starting salary and benefits for an attorney differ widely depending on the
location of the practice and the size and type of the law firm. Small town
attorneys beginning their own practice may take in less than $25,000 (and in
some cases lose money) and may have to pay for their own medical insurance,
retirement, and business expenses. Most starting salaries are higher, however.
In 1998, the average salary for beginning attorneys working in government
averaged over $34,000 per year, while beginning attorneys engaged with private
firms averaged about $47,000. These attorneys had virtually no overhead and had
some benefits paid for by their employers. First-year attorneys for large
corporate law firms in large urban areas may make as much as $85,000 and have
medical benefits and retirement packages paid for completely by their firms.
Partners in large law firms can make very substantial salaries.
Working Conditions
Lawyers do their work in offices, libraries, and courts of law. They may also
visit businesses, government offices, prisons, and homes in the process of doing
work for their clients.
The
pressures of developing a practice are great in this profession. There is a
tremendous amount of paperwork. Documents must be finished in time to meet
deadlines. Many lawyers work more than 40 hours a week. In fact, it is not
unusual for attorneys to put in 50-, 60-, and even 70-hour weeks in order to
complete their work.
Outlook
There are many lawyers-nearly one million- in the United States today. Attaining
a position in a law firm is extremely competitive, and getting a job as an
attorney in some areas of the country may be difficult. Nevertheless,
projections from the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S. Department of
Labor indicate that there will be an increasing need for lawyers through the
year 2005, so job opportunities in the field remain good.
For More Information
Information Services
American Bar Association
750 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 988-5000
The ABA
site has references for legal assistance, legal publications, legal service
plans and, for students, a special site containing educational materials about
the law.
Association of American Law
Schools
1201 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20036-2605
(202) 296-8851
Corrections Officer ($21,000-26,300)
Job Description
Corrections officers, also known as prison guards, are responsible for
maintaining the security of the prison or correctional facility where they work.
These officers supervise prisoners as the prisoners work, eat, sleep, attend
educational classes, or participate in recreation. They operate electronic
security systems. Corrections officers are also responsible for the security of
the prison when the prisoners receive visitors and when the prisoners travel to
and from the correctional facility.
Education
The hiring requirements for corrections officers are not as extensive as for
other careers in the legal field. All that is required in many areas is a
high-school diploma or a GED. Once hired, corrections officers may participate
in training programs that prepare them for their duties.
Special Skills
Corrections officers need strong observational skills to help detect changes in
prisoners' behavior that might affect the security of the prison. It also helps
to have good interpersonal skills in order to reduce tension among the many
different personalities found in the prison population.
Salary and Benefits
Most corrections officers work for government agencies responsible for operating
jails and prisons. However, some now work for private companies that have
received contracts from the government to operate correctional facilities. Most
government employers provide health and retirement benefits. According to a 1994
survey, starting pay at the state level averaged nearly $19,500 per year, while
average earnings were about $23,000. Beginning pay for federal officers was
slightly higher-about $20,000-and average pay was about $31,500.
Working Conditions
Correctional officers generally work 40-hour weeks, although they may be
required to work off-hour shifts. They work both indoors and outdoors in
correctional facilities, depending on the job requirements. The work of a
corrections officer may be stressful and even dangerous because of problems in
dealing with inmates.
Outlook
Approximately 310,000 people work as correctional officers in prisons across the
country. With 10% to 20% of corrections officers leaving their jobs each year
and the number of prisons and jails increasing, the outlook for employment of
corrections officers through 2005 remains strong.
For More Information
The American Correctional
Association
4380 Forbes Boulevard
Lanham, MD 20706-4322
(800) 222-5646
This Web
site contains information regarding jobs in the corrections field and
publications concerning issues facing corrections officers.
American Jail
Association
2053 Day Road, Suite 100 (zip 21740)
P.O. Box 2158
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 790-3930
This Web site contains information about the AJA, its publications, and hot
links to the Corrections Connections Network, a detailed site with links to
state, federal, and international correctional information sites.
Court Reporter ($24,000-30,000)
Job Description
A court reporter keeps the record of the court proceedings. This means that the
reporter takes down every "official" word said in court. Court reporters often
take down what is said at speeds of up to 200 words per minute.
The trial
court record is the basis of all appeals to appellate courts. Lawyers making
appeals base their arguments on exactly what has been stated in the trial court.
Appeals court justices write their opinions based on the transcripts of the
trial courts as well as what has been argued on appeal. Thus, the accurate work
of court reporters is vital to an effective judicial system.
Court
reporters also take down depositions, interrogatories, and other parts of
pretrial proceedings. They are often called upon to take down what is said at
public hearings as well. About 90% of the 60,000 court reporters in the U.S. use
computers or computer aided transcription (CAT). This work electronically ties a
stenotype machine to a computer, which turns the reporter's notes into readable
print.
Education
To become a court reporter, one must attend court-reporting school or a similar
program given by a community college or university. The duration of these
programs varies from two to four years, depending on the type of degree or
certificate offered.
In a
court-reporting program, students learn court-reporting language and develop
skill in using the court-reporting machine, or stenotype. Classes in various
types of law, English, keyboarding, computers, and medical terminology form the
core of the curriculum.
Special Skills
Persons who wish to attend court-reporting school should have an excellent
command of the English language, good hearing, general knowledge of computers
and extremely strong typing and keyboarding skills. They must be good listeners
since they must sit and concentrate for long periods of time.
Salary and Benefits
Court reporters can work for the courts, freelance for different businesses, or
do both. Starting salaries for this position are generally between $20,000 and
$25,000 per year. Most employers offer medical insurance and a retirement
package. Because this position is vital and requires great skill, the amount of
money a court reporter earns can increase sharply as he or she becomes more
proficient. It is not unusual for court reporters to earn at least $50,000
annually after five years.
Working Conditions
Most court reporters who work for courts follow the schedule of the court. This
means most work 40-hour weeks, unless deadlines require that court transcripts
be ready at a certain time. In this case, the court reporter must work overtime
to get the work done.
Court
reporters may work anywhere an official record is needed for a meeting or
conference. They work in courts, law offices, businesses, or public buildings
such as town halls and legislatures.
Outlook
With the rising number of civil and criminal cases, the outlook for employment
for court reporters is good. Although technological breakthroughs, such as
voice-activated transcription equipment, may eventually cut down on the need for
court reporters, the job outlook through the year 2005 is still good. People
with court reporting skills can also find work as medical/legal
transcriptionists and in captioning.
For More Information
National Court Reporters
Association
8224 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, VA 22182-3808
(800) 272-6272
This site
contains a detailed account of the responsibilities of court reporting including
explanations about computer aided transcription (CAT), captioning careers,
cyber-conferencing, scopists, rapid data entry transcription, medical and
medical/legal transcriptionists.
Forensic Scientist ($22,000-35,000)
Job Description
Forensic scientists collect and analyze evidence found at crime scenes.
Specifically, they analyze blood, saliva, semen, drugs, fingerprints, and
firearms and perform reconstructions on skeletal bones. Forensic scientists also
confer with law enforcement personnel and attorneys on evidence collection,
preserve evidence, write reports, and testify in court. The scientific analysis
of evidence often proves critical in determining the innocence or guilt of a
person accused of a crime. Thus, forensic scientists play a vital role in the
criminal justice process.
Education
Entry-level jobs in forensic science require a four-year degree in one of the
following: biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, genetics, or medical
technology. Communication arts and law classes are considered helpful. Some
crime labs also require laboratory experience.
Special Skills
A forensic scientist works with many different kinds of people, often under
stressful circumstances. Thus, it is essential for a person in this field to
have good "people" skills. Because forensic scientists must complete many
reports and make court appearances, they must be capable writers and good
speakers. Finally, forensic scientists must be able to manipulate tiny bits of
evidence under a microscope that requires excellent hand-eye coordination.
Salary and Benefits
Forensic scientists generally work for state or federal crime laboratories.
Because these positions are found primarily in government, some medical and
retirement benefits are paid.
At the state level, beginning forensic scientists are paid about $1,900 per
month. Those who start with laboratory experience may receive as much as $3,000
per month. Depending on the state, experienced workers may eventually earn
between $35,000 and $50,000 per year. Federal salaries are usually higher.
Working Conditions
As employees of the government, forensic scientists generally work 40-hour
weeks. However, because of increasing caseloads and the need to meet deadlines,
they may work extra hours.
Forensic scientists work primarily in the crime lab. However, they also go to
the scene of the crime to examine and secure evidence, and they testify in
court.
Outlook
Good forensic scientists are always in demand. However, because of pressures to
reduce government funding, beginning positions are usually limited, and
competition for them is keen. The job outlook in this area is, at best, fair.
For More Information
American Academy of Forensic
Sciences
P.O. Box 669
410 North 21st St., Suite 203
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
This site
explains the main disciplines of forensic science, as well as listing a link to
further reading on forensic science topics.
