How do I explore a career in finance--without quitting my current job?

Any ideas on how I could gain some experience in investment banking or management consulting before going to law school? I was recently admitted to a top-rated law school. Graduates from this law school often have opportunities to work in areas slightly outside of the law, like investment banking or management consulting. I think I might really be interested in working in one of those fields, but I don't have any experience in those fields directly. I'm even thinking about applying for a joint JD/MBA during my first year of law school, and some additional exposure to those fields would lend my application a little more credibility. On the other hand, I'd prefer to keep my current day job because switching to a new job with less than a year left before law school doesn't seem really practical to me. Suggestions?

Public Comments

1. well if u are a top student in a top school with good connections it doesn't matter, you'll be very marketable. what job are you at now, and what school will you be going to?
2. You have the perfect opportunity to pursue something while you are in the period between acceptance and commencement of your law school education. If you are questioning the fields you want to enter take this time to do some job shadowing or find a job in that field. During the summer breaks of law school most law students work for different firms of businesses as law clerks. These positions are designed to give the student insight into the type of work the attorneys do in their respective field. While in law school I clerked for two different types of firms and am now doing a two year clerkship for a state government. I have been able to decide what I want and do no want to do based upon these experiences. You will not regret doing different types of clerkships to gain the experience and find yourself and the field that you enjoy working in.
3. Good question! Check out this website: http://vocationvacations.com/ They allow you to "test drive" different career options in your spare time without you quitting your current job.
4. If you want experience in banking prior to going to law school, it will be difficult to actually get a job in the field as the firms usually want a 2-3 year commitment minimum - plus, they would not know exactly where to place you in the hierarchy. I would suggest trying to shadow a friend who works in the field, but even that may not be possible due to strict security concerns and confidentiality at firms. I think your best bet is to use your alumni network and speak with any friends you have in the field. You may also want to mingle with any friends in the field and meet some of their friends - you can find out a lot from hanging out socially. Once you enter law school, I would suggest finding corporate finance-related internships to get some exposure to banking/consulting. It is unorthodox for banks to have law schools interns and it may be difficult in the current market, but even working in corporate law would give you a sense of what banking/consulting are like and prepare you should you go that route eventually. I've listed my web site below and a link to my article on breaking into finance from a law background, which you may find helpful.
5. If you really want so financial industry experience, then now is the time to go for it. Just take a job at a brokerage firm or mutual fund company in customer service or ops. These firms are now hiring because tax season is coming (actually it starts in December) so they need to bulk up on employees. Then you can leave when you are done. Customer Service would be a good starting position, to get your feet wet, because you will learn a lot of the industry - after all, you have to discuss it with shareholders and Financial Advisors. Quit your job and get a new one.