Working in an intellectually stimulating profession ranks ahead of money as the top perk of a career in law, according to the results of a new survey of junior and upcoming lawyers.

Intellectual stimulation and job satisfaction was cited by more than half (52%) of the respondents to the survey as the top perk people were currently enjoying or intended to enjoy as a lawyer, while just one in four (25.6%) ranked financial rewards as the prime perk.

The survey – conducted on the Turning Points hub, Legal Week's career development resource in association with Berwin Leighton Paisner – offers an insight into the minds of current and would-be lawyers on a range of questions about the sector.

Just 10% of participants most looked forward to international or exotic travel, while the response of a further 7% was: "What perks?".

When asked to rank who they were out to impress in their careers, 38% of respondents were most interested in impressing 'everybody they could', while 32% ranked 'themselves' as first priority.

In perhaps a surprising result, only 5% put clients at the top of the list of those they were out to impress, while a quarter of those surveyed put clients second and 35% ranked clients third.

When asked what they would spend (or did spend) their first pay packet on, almost a quarter (24%) of those surveyed said a luxury item, while an equal number of respondents said they would use the money to pay off student debt. Almost as many (23%) were interested in buying a new professional wardrobe. Fifteen percent envisioned spending their money on a holiday, while 11% said they'd settle for the premium range at the supermarket.

When asked how many hours a week they were currently working or expected to work, almost half (43%) answered 45-55 hours, while 30% suggested over 55 hours.

Other reasons cited for the decision to pursue a career in law included prestige, the the opportunity to help those in need, family tradition, with several respondents – perhaps unsurprisingly – citing an affinity for argument.

This article was commissioned for the Turning Points hub, an online career development resource from Legal Week in association with Berwin Leighton Paisner.