Is 7th grade too early to think about law school?
The State Bar of Arizona doesn’t think so. It has started a Diversity Pipeline Project to get more 7th and 8th grade students interested in studying law. The pilot program will track 150 students through high school and hopes to “help them with their decisions regarding education, law school and understanding the law as a whole.”
The program is another opportunity for young people to learn about a specific field of study in preparation for their future. The Boy Scouts of America have similar programs for students between 14 and 20 that focus on careers in law enforcement, health, aviation, engineering, etc. Explorer Posts exist nationwide and provide mentoring activities for hundreds of teens. Their motto is “Our best today for a better tomorrow.” State bar associations across the country sponsor Explorer posts for students interested in the law.
Do you think starting along a career path as early as 7th grade is too young? Do young teens think this far ahead or is it a waste of time and effort? How much influence do your parents have on your career decisions? Have you talked with them about what you’d like to do when you’re out of school?