A number of J.D. graduates that go on to pursue careers outside of the legal profession often do so as professors or teachers. Because the J.D. degree is a professional degree and a graduate degree with the designation of "doctor," many J.D. graduates use this to their advantage. While teaching law generally requires the Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.) degree, there are a number of related academic fields where the J.D. will suffice.
If you have yet to attend law school or have the opportunity to pursue joint-degree programs in your current course of study, you may wish to consider studies in fields that will complement your legal training. Some of these include political science, history and business. Aside from teaching, those holding the J.D. degree may be eligible for leadership positions within institutions of higher education, depending on what areas of law they focused on during their legal studies.
One sector of the job market where the J.D. degree can prove to be particularly marketable is with the government. Government agencies need people with legal training for a variety of jobs. Lawyers with a background in corporate or contract law, for example, can serve as liaisons between government agencies and corporations.
Government law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the CIA are also potential employers for those holding the Juris Doctorate degree. These agencies are typically looking for the best and brightest, which a J.D. seems to indicate given the stringent nature of law school admission standards. Having survived the admission process and law school itself may qualify you for a position of this nature.
As Lance M. Werner points out in his article published on the Michigan Bar Association website, it is "crucial to identify personal interests" when planning a future career. Personal interests can often help define where you end up once the legal education has commenced.
For those that have a strong background in business or some other field where organizational leadership is needed, the J.D. degree can be the ticket to a high-ranking position within a corporation or some other entity like a nonprofit organization that relies upon legal expertise in dealing with the general public or the government. The J.D. degree can be the perfect start to a rewarding career in this type of capacity.