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Becoming a lawyer takes planning, years of determination, and an ambition to succeed. If you are thinking about entering the exclusive club of attorneys, it’s time to get competitive.

Lawyers are also known as counselors, solicitors, advocates, and barristers. An attorney’s role varies by their specialization. Some choose to focus on education, civil litigation, environmental law, bankruptcy, tax law, and even divorce. Others may be self-employed and advise clients on personal legal matters.

Obtaining an education in law is demanding. You can expect to secure a bachelor’s degree before three years of law school. Only then can you take the written bar examination and fulfill any other requirements determined by your state. The job market is also competitive, so earning top grades at every level is imperative.

An attorney must have superb communication skills, both oral and written. Strong analytical skills, leadership skills, and multi-tasking abilities are also required. While there isn’t a specific undergraduate degree requirement, it’s a good idea to focus on majors that develop all of the skills necessary to become a lawyer. Many students obtain degrees in English, History, Communications, and even Theology before applying to law school. Some even opt for a pre-law degree.

With legal service demand increasing, the job outlook for lawyers is good if you’re willing to be flexible. This may mean moving to the big law firms in larger cities. Metropolitan areas also pay more. Starting salaries in New York are as high as $140,000 a year. There aren’t many other entry-level positions giving you the reward of a six-figure income.