There are no required or specifically recommended majors for students interested in going to law school. Traditional liberal arts majors like history, English, and political science are popular. Whatever you choose, the ABA recommends a major that strengthens these core skills:
One potential exception is if you are interested in working in patent law. While not always required, it's helpful to have a degree in a science or engineering field.
You don't have to be a law student to apply for an internship in the legal field. In particular, many government and public interest groups have internships aimed at non-law students. Try reaching out to local Public Defender & Attorney General offices, legal aid organizations, and courthouses. Check out this UPenn Career Services article for more ideas.
UNC has a few different organizations and resources that may help you find relevant internships:
UNC Phi Alpha Delta (co-ed pre-law fraternity)
According to the American Bar Association, a paralegal is "a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." Working as a paralegal can be a great introduction to the legal field or a fulfilling career in its own right.
These resources can help you learn more about being a paralegal, including any education requirements:
While not always directly applicable to legal work, the skills and experiences from non-legal jobs can still be valuable for a future career as a lawyer. Many law students enter law school to launch their second (or more) career.
