Studying medicine then law conversion - can you get a top job?

Original post by Rishi.R

Hey everyone,

So I have heard that there is an oversaturation of law student meaning it is incredibly hard to even get a mid-range job because there are just SO MANY law graduates. Atm, I am still trying to decide between Law and Medicine as I have a passion for both those careers. However, I was wondering: If I studied medicine and then did a law conversion course, would I still be able to get a top job (e.g. Magic Circle, Silver Circle and other top firms) or would I be at a disadvantage. I guess what I am trying to ask here is that will I still stand the same chance as any other top law graduate provided I get the grades and good, relevant extra-curricular.

Thanks!

If those are your only career options, then you have not done enough research. Medicine is not just a course you study to make you more employable and allow you to transfer to another career; it is designed to be a vocation, much like law, and is intended to allow someone to enter for generally a lifetime within their respective field. To be frank, there are more career options than just law and medicine. If you cannot see yourself committing solidly to either one after obtaining relevant work experience in either (instead of just reading about them), you should expand your horizons and explore other career paths. Both careers take serious commitment and dedication in their own right, which I do not think you realise.

Reply 2

OP

Original post by davidthomasjnr

If those are your only career options, then you have not done enough research. Medicine is not just a course you study to make you more employable and allow you to transfer to another career; it is designed to be a vocation, much like law, and is intended to allow someone to enter for generally a lifetime within their respective field. To be frank, there are more career options than just law and medicine. If you cannot see yourself committing solidly to either one after obtaining relevant work experience in either (instead of just reading about them), you should expand your horizons and explore other career paths. Both careers take serious commitment and dedication in their own right, which I do not think you realise.

I am not using medicine as a safe option. I like both careers and would happily pursue both of them. I have done research into other career paths but none of them really appeal to me apart from these two, I couldn't really see myself doing anything else apart from Law and Medicine. I am just playing at the scenario that I might have a small possibility of regretting doing medicine over law as all. I am 100% aware of the serious commitment to BOTH of these subjects as my whole family are doctors and lawyers and I have plenty of insight into both careers and what it takes to do them.

Reply 3

davidthomasjnr

Original post by Rishi.R

I am not using medicine as a safe option. I like both careers and would happily pursue both of them. I have done research into other career paths but none of them really appeal to me apart from these two, I couldn't really see myself doing anything else apart from Law and Medicine. I am just playing at the scenario that I might have a small possibility of regretting doing medicine over law as all. I am 100% aware of the serious commitment to BOTH of these subjects as my whole family are doctors and lawyers and I have plenty of insight into both careers and what it takes to do them.

Fair enough, as long as you understand the gravity of work and dedication both careers would require, and that any expectation from your family to be a doctor or lawyer is not a good reason to become either of those things.

Out of that small chance, it is possible, because there are medical students that have pursued this route. It's hard to say whether or not you would be disadvantaged; you should at least be equal to the next candidate. However, there is not much information available about this career conversion. It is good you cannot see yourself doing anything else than those two careers if you have done enough research though, because you would likely enjoy them for that reason.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by davidthomasjnr

Fair enough, as long as you understand the gravity of work and dedication both careers would require, and that any expectation from your family to be a doctor or lawyer is not a good reason to become either of those things.

Out of that small chance, it is possible, because there are medical students that have pursued this route. It's hard to say whether or not you would be disadvantaged; you should at least be equal to the next candidate. However, there is not much information available about this career conversion. It is good you cannot see yourself doing anything else than those two careers if you have done enough research though, because you would likely enjoy them for that reason.

I can assure that this is not because of family expectations although I do see why you would think that XD. You're right when you say that there is not much information on this route to law as I've been trying to get some kind of an answer for a while now. What I found out was that lot's of people who did a conversion course previously did a degree in a language or some sort of humanities subject and have a good law job. However, I do not fancy doing some other degree for the sake of a conversion course.

Thanks for your help anyway, I appreciate it!

Reply 5

thepaperhero

10

The conversion course (GDL) is being replaced by the SQE, so you would have to do that instead. You would not be at a disadvantage, most firms recruit 50/50 or 60/40 split of law/non law students and a lot of firms want to recruit more STEM students. You will just need clear reasons for wanting to go into commercial law which can be backed up by relevant work experience. :smile:

OP

Elaborate?

Law firms will probably wonder what the heck you're doing. Like one of the posters above said, medicine is a vocational degree. People don't study medicine just because they have nothing better to do with their time. If you apply to law firms with an MBBS (or the equivalent), the question that law firms will instinctively ask is: why are you now pursuing a career in law as opposed to a career in medicine? The practice of law is radically different from the practice of medicine. Unless you have an extremely persuasive reason for switching, your application is not going to make the cut.

I do wonder if, instead, where your 'passion' truly lies is in the perceived prestige of the two professions.

Reply 8

Stefanidi

Original post by Rishi.R

Elaborate?

Why would you do a 5 year course in medicine, which is the most vocational course offered at uni, to then become a lawyer?...

Reply 9

username4889668

20

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone doing this ngl

@harrysbar?

Reply 10

Rai258

14

Just posting so I can be notified to view replies

Reply 11

Stefanidi

https://www.law.ac.uk/postgraduate/sqe/

Reply 12

OP

Original post by Realisticism

Law firms will probably wonder what the heck you're doing. Like one of the posters above said, medicine is a vocational degree. People don't study medicine just because they have nothing better to do with their time. If you apply to law firms with an MBBS (or the equivalent), the question that law firms will instinctively ask is: why are you now pursuing a career in law as opposed to a career in medicine? The practice of law is radically different from the practice of medicine. Unless you have an extremely persuasive reason for switching, your application is not going to make the cut.

I do wonder if, instead, where your 'passion' truly lies is in the perceived prestige of the two professions.

I would be lying if I said the prestige is nice but that is merely a coincidence, I genuinely do enjoy these professions after doing work experience in both. I just don't want any regrets at the end of the day hence why my question seems to only convey the pragmatic side of my thinking.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 13

OP