I am in grade 12 and am taking accountancy, business studies, economics and maths. I would like to pursue a career in law and probably specialise in corporate law. But I would like to know the career opportunities available in the field of law and whether it would be better to study in India or elsewhere overseas.
Bindu via email
If you plan on working in different parts of the world, it is better to consider getting an LLB (Bachelors of Law) from the UK or a Juris Doctor (JD) from the US. Both countries have different approaches to obtaining the degrees. In the US, you cannot study law as an undergraduate degree. This gives you the freedom of obtaining a degree in any subject you want. The JD takes a further three years after completion of your undergraduate degree.
In the UK, the LLB can be studied straight after you finish school. It is a three-year programme. Certain universities that offer LLB and JD programmes are recognised by the Bar Council of India, thus giving you the option of working in India as well. In addition to the knowledge content, a good law programme intends to develop your critical thinking and transferable intellectual skills, promote independent learning and communication skills.
Lawyers can work in private practice, public-interest law or corporatelaw. They can specialise in public law, civil litigation, corporate or commercial, criminal, entertainment, environment, family, intellectual property and tax law, among others. New options keep opening up such as space law, sports law and so on.
A few other careers you can pursue after studying law include business management, journalism, banking and finance, communications and media and government administration.
I have been working as an accounts assistant specialising in documentary credit for the past three years. Now I would like to pursue an ACCA or CPA qualification to further my career. Please help me choose a course that offers great career opportunities globally.
Anugrah Chaturvedi, Dubai
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification is growing in popularity and is recognised in 170 countries worldwide, and in India. There are talks taking place between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the ACCA for reciprocal recognition.
The title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is given to accountants in the US who have passed the necessary examinations and have met the requirements for certification as a CPA.
Large international accountancy companies employ CPAs to do US Generally Approved Auditing Standards (GAAS) audits.
Should you want to work in India, I recommend you also consider the ICWA (Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India) programme.
