Why Studying Law Isn't Only Courtrooms & Contracts: Real Jobs You Can Get With a Juris Doctor

A degree with transferrable skills? Sign us up ✅

This article is presented in partnership with The University of Melbourne.

From corporate strategy and sustainability, to working in human rights, cyber law or even at a tech startup - there are plenty of different career paths you can take after completing a Juris Doctor (JD).

Why?

Because law touches every industry and every facet of society, which means the knowledge you’ll gain while studying a JD will be applicable in a wide range of career fields.

On top of that, the skills you'll develop like critical thinking, communication, research and ethics are all highly sought after across multiple industries.

Our friends at the University of Melbourne have told us all about their JD and why it’ll give you the edge if you’re looking at a career in law.

A range of subjects means more opportunities down the line.

At uni, it can feel like the subjects you’re studying don’t make sense or you don't understand how they would ever relate to a future job.

With a JD at the University of Melbourne, the subjects you’re taking link directly to what you could be doing in your future career.

There are foundational subjects to help you build a solid base like Contracts, Principles of Public Law and Legal Theory. And then there are more specific subjects like Remedies, Property and Equity and Trusts.

You can also choose electives like Climate Law or Media Law and Ethics, to help you get specific within your degree.

This mix of subjects means you’re not just ticking boxes to graduate, but you’re building skills and insights that could help you apply for a range of different jobs in the future and prepare you for a future legal career.

Learn from the best, not just in Melbourne.

At Melbourne Uni you’ll be learning from some of the best in the business at Australia’s leading law school*: experts who know their stuff and make it make sense.

The course also balances real-word skills with big-picture thinking so it’s both useful and challenging (but in a good way).

You can even opt to study a semester abroad somewhere like North America, Europe or China.

Or combine your JD with a Masters degree from an international uni including a partner like New York University, National University of Singapore, University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford.

Psst: you should apply even if you think your marks are too low or if you're worried about affordability.

If you’re keen to study a JD at UniMelb, they’ll look at your minimum Weighted Average Mark and if you studied elsewhere, they’ll assess your relevant studies and grades.

And you can see if you’re eligible for Graduate Access Melbourne which could offer you opportunity for admission even if your tertiary marks are below entry requirements.

It’s also a chance to access support like fee remission scholarships or bursaries to help make your JD more affordable.

Graduate with careers to choose from.

Once you finish your JD, if you’re ready to become a lawyer that’s great! If not, there are a plethora of different roles you could find yourself in.

You could get specific and go for a legal or lawyer role in the community sector or not-for-profit. Or you might find your JD takes you into a career as a Merchant Banker, Management Consultant or Policy Analyst.

The good news is Melbourne JD grads have super strong employment outcomes with a 97 per cent full-time employment rate.**

So no matter what path you find yourself in, you can be confident your life with a JD could open up heaps of opportunities for you.

Discover more about the JD at Uni Melb here.

*Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
**Melbourne Law School Class of 2019 Graduate Survey