I-Search Interview: Lawyer
Phillip O’ Callaghan
Lawyer
9 May 2013
E-mail: ocallaghanphillip@gmail.com
1. How did you get starter in this field, and what was your educational preparation and training? Where would you recommend a graduationg senior go for education/training? Why?
Well, at first I didn’t know I was going to become a lawyer, when I was in highschool I used to argue with my teachers about everything, even the smallest things and they always said, “Phillip, you’re like a meenie lawyer, always arguing everything.” After that I decided that maybe being a lawyer wont be so bad, so I started of easy by joining the debate club afterwards I searched up good law schools and ended up choosing Stanford University - I didn’t get in but I did get into Columbia University. I would recommend to not do Poli-Sci or Criminal Jusitice just because you wish to become a lawyer, unless that certain field interests you, the choice in what training you receive is up to the area you choose to practice.
2. What courses beyond highschool are most helpful in preparing for this kind of work?
Try to find a good liberal arts program and within that you’ll get a new set of skills, of course to find such program you’ll need to get into a good college. Some of the skills you’ll need or hopefully already have will be: comprehension and use of language, critical understanding of and interest in human institutions and values, and the ability in logical and analytical reasoning. It sounds like a lot but it’s not much in reality.
3. What is the beginning salary range for this and other related fields?
I should have known this question was coming - well, it all depends whether you start working right away or not it’s usually around sixteen grand, I don’t know how much I can elaborate on this, of course pay will be higher the more you do and the more years you have in being a lawyer.
4. How many hours do you work per week? What is a typical work schedule? Typical duties?
Well if you
Lawyer
9 May 2013
E-mail: ocallaghanphillip@gmail.com
1. How did you get starter in this field, and what was your educational preparation and training? Where would you recommend a graduationg senior go for education/training? Why?
Well, at first I didn’t know I was going to become a lawyer, when I was in highschool I used to argue with my teachers about everything, even the smallest things and they always said, “Phillip, you’re like a meenie lawyer, always arguing everything.” After that I decided that maybe being a lawyer wont be so bad, so I started of easy by joining the debate club afterwards I searched up good law schools and ended up choosing Stanford University - I didn’t get in but I did get into Columbia University. I would recommend to not do Poli-Sci or Criminal Jusitice just because you wish to become a lawyer, unless that certain field interests you, the choice in what training you receive is up to the area you choose to practice.
2. What courses beyond highschool are most helpful in preparing for this kind of work?
Try to find a good liberal arts program and within that you’ll get a new set of skills, of course to find such program you’ll need to get into a good college. Some of the skills you’ll need or hopefully already have will be: comprehension and use of language, critical understanding of and interest in human institutions and values, and the ability in logical and analytical reasoning. It sounds like a lot but it’s not much in reality.
3. What is the beginning salary range for this and other related fields?
I should have known this question was coming - well, it all depends whether you start working right away or not it’s usually around sixteen grand, I don’t know how much I can elaborate on this, of course pay will be higher the more you do and the more years you have in being a lawyer.
4. How many hours do you work per week? What is a typical work schedule? Typical duties?
Well if you
Cited: O’ Callaghan, Phillip. Personal interview. 9 May 2013.