There are common misconceptions about any career, and law is no exception. Many positive beliefs about the lives of lawyers are so well-held that people assume they are correct and even enter a career in law based upon them. Here are three of the most common misconceptions out there about lawyers.

1. Lawyers make lots of money. This is one of the beliefs that is so strong that people will choose law based on it alone. Often when parents want to push their children to go into a guaranteed financially stable job they will send them to law school — and that’s unfortunate. Why? Because being a lawyer is like any other job — you can be extremely successful at it, but you’re much more likely to make a modest living, and you may even barely scrape by. Most law students end up employed by small firms of less than 50 people and make an average salary.

2. Arguing well is the key to being a successful lawyer. Though it might look like it when you watch court proceedings, being a lawyer is much more about doing your research and presenting information in a refined and animated way than it is about being able to out-argue the other lawyer in the courtroom. Having excellent public speaking and communication skills are a must, but you also need a strong sense of logic. Think of it this way: arguing is about your emotions, while being a lawyer is all about the facts.

3. Being a lawyer is a powerful profession involving being in the public eye. Again, you might assume this from looking at lawyers at work, but it isn’t true. The vast majority of work in law is background work such as research, and most cases never make it to court. Law is an undeniably important role to play in society, but it isn’t the most glamorous one ever.