Second Degree at 25?

Hey guys,

I'm just looking for people who had a similar experiences to mine at decided to change their careers at a later stage of their life.

That's what I've done - I graduated from a Law degree in 2021 - I went on to doing my Masters/ Legal Practice Course which would allow me to qualify as a solicitor if I finished a training contract. However, as soon as I graduated I started working at the same time as studying for the LPC and the reality kicked in. I realised (from personal experiences) how toxic the Law industry can be... and after few years of working in different Law areas I've finally come to a conclusion that Law is not for me.

Later after contemplating what I really wanted to do in life, it was to work with animals - I've always wanted to become a vet but of course life took a different course and I was chasing a goal of becoming a solicitor for the wrong reasons - I thought I would be satisfied once achieving this but I finally faced the truth and it wouldn't be the case.

I've applied to study Veterinary Medicine through a Gateway route at different universities - I just wanted to see if there are any other people who also make such drastic career changes and actually succeeded in doing so? Let me know your story and hopefully once I get accepted to Vet medicine I could tell you mine :biggrin:

Reply 1

Gabsgab

Hey I'm also on the same boat but haven't applied. Can I have some advice / recommendation? As I only did Chemistry, Economics and Maths in A level. I don't have any Biology background and doesn't qualify for every programme

Reply 2

pbw

You’ll be done by 31. Which is nothing. I know at 25 you feel over the hill. But you just getting started!

Reply 3

ujala1234

Original post

by hhhhaaa

Hey guys,
I'm just looking for people who had a similar experiences to mine at decided to change their careers at a later stage of their life.
That's what I've done - I graduated from a Law degree in 2021 - I went on to doing my Masters/ Legal Practice Course which would allow me to qualify as a solicitor if I finished a training contract. However, as soon as I graduated I started working at the same time as studying for the LPC and the reality kicked in. I realised (from personal experiences) how toxic the Law industry can be... and after few years of working in different Law areas I've finally come to a conclusion that Law is not for me.
Later after contemplating what I really wanted to do in life, it was to work with animals - I've always wanted to become a vet but of course life took a different course and I was chasing a goal of becoming a solicitor for the wrong reasons - I thought I would be satisfied once achieving this but I finally faced the truth and it wouldn't be the case.
I've applied to study Veterinary Medicine through a Gateway route at different universities - I just wanted to see if there are any other people who also make such drastic career changes and actually succeeded in doing so? Let me know your story and hopefully once I get accepted to Vet medicine I could tell you mine :biggrin:

Hi, not specifically a drastic career change yet but I have an offer to study vet med, and then realised that law might be more suited for me and somehow recieved an offer through clearing the day after. But would you like to share how you found it toxic please? My whole family has been trying to convince me that its not worth it due to how long and difficult it is and as i'll most likely end up unemployed.

Reply 4

Gabsgab

Original post

by ujala1234

Hi there

I hope it isn't too late but you do not need a law degree to be a lawyer, you can always do the Law Conversion Course after a degree then the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). On top of that, some law firms actually prefer non law students applying for their training contract. There are not enough legal jobs for law grads as some unis gave out more offers during covid, plus more non law grads and students are joining the competition.

As a law grad, I can confirm that only the top top percentage of law students can successfully get a training contract and most of us do not even stand the chance to get to the second stage interview. Prior to covid, it was easier for grads to get a paralegal / assistant job right after graduation. But due to the recent change in SQE exam (everyone with a degree can do the exam and be a lawyer), law firms are starting raise the bar and require paralegal / assistant applicants to self fund and complete the SQE. And the pay is ridiculously low (about 20-22k) even in London as employers know that all law grads are desperate for experience. There are people stuck in this position for years and of course there are lucky ones who can progress after a few years as a paralegal, but chances are slim.

I always ask people who want to pursue this career to shadow different areas of law and make sure you like it. Law school is not that hard but graduating with this disappointing pay and reality is really harsh. I have talked to a lot of law grads and most of us regret doing law and admited that we were too naive as we did not know anything about the job market

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 5

Gabsgab

Original post

by ujala1234

Following my previous comment: I would recommend you to look up the success rate of applying to training contract (TC) and pupillage online as there is only a 2% success rate according to a survey done by the Chambers Student.

In my opinion, law schools fail to disclose the truth about the industry and often times there are not enough resources to help students prepare for vacation schemes and TC applications. In my cohort, less than 10 people secured a training contract before graduation and most people changed fields after facing the harsh reality. A handful of people work as paralegals but the pay is not ideal and firms often give fake promises of offering TCs after 2-4 years of work.

However if you really enjoy the work of a solicitor or barrister, you can always do a Post Grad Law Conversion Course which is a 1 year course that covers all the core law topics in a LLB. Not to mention, a law degree is no longer a requirement for the Solicitor Qualifying Exam. Anyone will a valid degree can do the exam and be a lawyer.

It is also important to bear in mind that you can only do the SQE exams 3 times in a 6 year span. I have seen people failing 3 times and had to do other routes to qualify.

Please please please reconsider before doing a LLB and do not let the £50k starting salary fake you. Most people land on the £20k law grad salary (with little progression) which is lower than what business and arts students get.