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Does it matter what subject I major in for Arts/Law?

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Art Vandelay:
So I'm currently in the process of enrolling into Monash Arts/Law. I'm leaning towards doing a double major in Italian (post-VCE), and Japanese (beginner). Am I at a disadvantage for studying these two subjects instead of, say, political science or international relations?

I'm not really sure as to what field I want to work in after completing the degree, but I'm considering work as a solicitor in a firm, or perhaps foreign diplomacy. I've read that foreign diplomats come from a variety of fields (including law), and the ability to learn languages is highly sought after. But would a law firm prefer me to study something else? I'm interested in literature and philosophy, but I know that I'd have a lot more fun studying languages at uni.

Would the electives (eg International Law) in later years of the law component of the degree be sufficient to gain entry into a niche field? Or would I have to study relevant courses in my arts degree?

Thanks!

lynt.br:

--- Quote from: o0davidm0o on January 19, 2013, 07:53:07 pm ---So I'm currently in the process of enrolling into Monash Arts/Law. I'm leaning towards doing a double major in Italian (post-VCE), and Japanese (beginner). Am I at a disadvantage for studying these two subjects instead of, say, political science or international relations?
--- End quote ---

No.

The thing that you need to learn is that life after uni is not about prerequisites. Provided you meet any legislative requirements to practice (i.e. having a law degree) then whatever career you end up in depends on how well you can sell yourself.

Employers don't care about what degrees you have studied, they care about you - what your interests are, what your experiences are, what your strengths are. If you can demonstrate that you have a passion and talent for international law, then it doesn't matter what subjects you picked.

Also law firms probably won't even look at your non-law degree subjects.

TLDR version is do languages if you will enjoy them. Never do a subject purely for career reasons.

ninwa:
Study languages if you enjoy them! Law can be a tough slug at times, and having something fun in your arts degree can provide a nice break. (Not that languages are easy - I did French and German and it was hard, hard work, but for the large part enjoyable)

Knowing languages is definitely a plus for diplomacy-related careers - especially Asian languages (although the level of fluency you'll achieve starting from scratch at uni won't be sufficient - have you considered going on exchange?)

I have to check the DFAT media releases page every week at work, and newly appointed diplomats (High Commissioners and such) to foreign countries will often have something like a masters in [language relevant to the country they have been seconded to]. Interestingly, a lot of them DON'T have law degrees but rather things like Masters in International Relations and such.

Also I hear the UN graduate programs require you to know at least 3 languages (from what I've heard anyway - I haven't checked it out myself but a girl from work is interested in it)

edit: anecdote from someone I know who is now a lawyer at a top tier law firm whose name I forget for the moment - one of her fellow graduate junior lawyers said the interviewing partners were highly interested in the activities that had absolutely nothing to do with law - e.g. the fact that she was a national-level ballet dancer and the fact that she worked in retail for a long time. It showed that she had, well, a life outside of law, and an ability to work in a team yadayadayada. Something for you to think about as well - law firms don't solely care about your degree!

Art Vandelay:
Thanks for that Ninwa! I think I'll go ahead and do Italian and Japanese then :D

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