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Shall I continue with Uni or do a Paralegal apprenticeship

I'm currently a first year law student, I'm enjoying the course but learning like this and paying so much for poor quality teaching is unbelievable and is making me lose all motivation to work. I think an apprenticeship is more suited for me, but I just need some guidance, is a paralegal apprenticeship better than a law degree?
I'm not sure it's a case of which one is better - that depends on you and what you want to do in life. My advice would be to finish your law degree now you've started otherwise you will have wasted a year's tuition and rent for nothing.

Plus graduating with a law degree opens you up to pretty much any career (albeit some specialist ones may require further qualifications). You could of course go into law, but you could also easily go into business, politics, science etc with a well-rounded education. Apprenticeships are more for those who know what they want to do; often if you ever wanted a career change then a degree is a big help.
Reply 2
Original post by JOSH4598
I'm not sure it's a case of which one is better - that depends on you and what you want to do in life. My advice would be to finish your law degree now you've started otherwise you will have wasted a year's tuition and rent for nothing.

Plus graduating with a law degree opens you up to pretty much any career (albeit some specialist ones may require further qualifications). You could of course go into law, but you could also easily go into business, politics, science etc with a well-rounded education. Apprenticeships are more for those who know what they want to do; often if you ever wanted a career change then a degree is a big help.

I think I'm pretty certain I want a career in law, it just stresses me out seeing how many students with degrees struggle finding jobs. I think with an apprenticeship the experience is what helps you get to places, not necessarily your education. I'd rather have 10K debt with an apprenticeship than 37K debt and no job if that makes sense?
Original post by mk2002
I think I'm pretty certain I want a career in law, it just stresses me out seeing how many students with degrees struggle finding jobs. I think with an apprenticeship the experience is what helps you get to places, not necessarily your education. I'd rather have 10K debt with an apprenticeship than 37K debt and no job if that makes sense?

Completely understand why you may want to change - uni is expensive (and overpriced!) while you have to often spend your own time working in placements for free to gain experience.

Do you have the apprenticeship lined up yet though? If you have an offer from an employer then it's certainly worth considering, but don't give up your uni place until you have a confirmed offer. It's entirely possible they turn you down once you apply - I know I applied for a degree apprenticeship before uni and got rejected. There's incredible competition for them so the rejection rate is pretty high.

So long as you want a career in law, and are willing to spend 40-odd years in the industry then an apprenticeship probably is the best route in. Although if you're anything like me and have a tendency to change your mind, university is probably a better bet. Consider both though and don't withdraw from uni until you have a firm backup in place.
Reply 4
Original post by JOSH4598
Completely understand why you may want to change - uni is expensive (and overpriced!) while you have to often spend your own time working in placements for free to gain experience.

Do you have the apprenticeship lined up yet though? If you have an offer from an employer then it's certainly worth considering, but don't give up your uni place until you have a confirmed offer. It's entirely possible they turn you down once you apply - I know I applied for a degree apprenticeship before uni and got rejected. There's incredible competition for them so the rejection rate is pretty high.

So long as you want a career in law, and are willing to spend 40-odd years in the industry then an apprenticeship probably is the best route in. Although if you're anything like me and have a tendency to change your mind, university is probably a better bet. Consider both though and don't withdraw from uni until you have a firm backup in place.

Thank you so much for the help!

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