Alternatives to Pupillage

Well it seems that the pupillage hunt remains as elusive as ever for the majority..just wondering whether anybody has any ideas as to alternative careers after the BPTC? Has anyone considered doing anything as wild as converting to another career altogether..say medicine that is supposedly vocational?

Reply 1

LexiswasmyNexis

11

Paralegalling awaits

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Reply 2

GatewayApplicant

Original post by PupillageHunter1

Well it seems that the pupillage hunt remains as elusive as ever for the majority..just wondering whether anybody has any ideas as to alternative careers after the BPTC? Has anyone considered doing anything as wild as converting to another career altogether..say medicine that is supposedly vocational?

If I don't get pupillage this year I think I will start a hunt for an alternative career. Problem is I've been so committed to being a barrister since school that all my work experience etc is Bar related.
I am completely unfamiliar with other careers...

Think I'll need to start from square one and maybe consult a careers advisor?

Reply 3

woody-wood

6

Original post by LexiswasmyNexis

Paralegalling awaits

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don't beat around the bush !

Reply 4

nulli tertius

21

If you go into legal publishing you are allowed to call yourself a barrister if you have been called. The prohibition on using the term until you have completed pupillage only applies to the delivery of legal services.

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Reply 5

PupillageHunter1

OP

Original post by GatewayApplicant

If I don't get pupillage this year I think I will start a hunt for an alternative career. Problem is I've been so committed to being a barrister since school that all my work experience etc is Bar related.
I am completely unfamiliar with other careers...

Think I'll need to start from square one and maybe consult a careers advisor?

Yes, thats the difficulty...its very hard convincing future employers that you are committed to a career thats not bar related! Back to the careers advisor I go too!

Reply 6

paynebar1

Become a stock broker/insurance broker? I know I have made that sound like a walk in the park but surely passing the BPTC with 'very competent' or 'outstanding' would speak volumes for your abilities to sell, communicate, think quickly, carefully and close numerous deals. The BPTC would equip you with relevant transferable skills, no? Just a thought. I know many brokers who have become barristers, none vice versa.

Become an MP

When I was job hunting after the BPTC, I was offered a costs advocate role. I ended up turning it down, but it seemed like a nice way to remain in the legal sector and get involved in some advocacy. Costs law though... :erm:

Most of my friends ended up:

1) At Deloitte
2) Paralegalling - some in quite good firms earning a very decent wage (more than they would get in pupillage)

As for all the bar experience and how this may appear to employers: be honest with them but put a positive spin on it. "I liked the idea of being a barrister but it is very competitive and it didn't happen. However, look at all these wonderful skills I can bring to your company...

If you are still keen on becoming a barrister but looking for a job in the interim, think carefully about interview questions concerning your aspirations to go to the bar. It probably isn't a good idea to admit that you will actively be seeking pupillage and will run away should you obtain one.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 9

nulli tertius

21

Original post by InnerTemple

When I was job hunting after the BPTC, I was offered a costs advocate role. I ended up turning it down, but it seemed like a nice way to remain in the legal sector and get involved in some advocacy. Costs law though... :erm: