Feels like I’m lost
21
So today I will be opening my results for final year law at uni of Liverpool. Honestly I don’t know what to do with my life. I really wanted a first class, but there is 90 percent chances I’m getting a 2:1. Anyways for me, if I had gotten a first class, I would have been much more satirised even if I hadn’t found a job in next few months. (I’m already working in an airport) but at least I would have that comfort that I did well in uni.
Anyways I just don’t know where to go from here. I have a lot of non legal work experience, a bit of insights and a shadowing law clinic here and there. Not much to write on cv regarding legal experience.
And this is what stops me from applying to trading contracts, because not only the field is already competitive, the fact that my cv is also not to the highest standard, I feel like I’m not gonna get any opportunities. And I need you guys to be honest pls, ofc we have to face the reality, yes a 2:1 is not that bad, but looking at the bigger picture, any little academic advantage is really helpful, and a first would have just given me that extra edge.
Pls idk what I’m looking for, by posting this, but just don’t know where to go from here. Ofc I wanna do law, and it’s smth that I really do want to achieve it once in my life. Be able to practice it, at highest level.
Anyways I just don’t know where to go from here. I have a lot of non legal work experience, a bit of insights and a shadowing law clinic here and there. Not much to write on cv regarding legal experience.
And this is what stops me from applying to trading contracts, because not only the field is already competitive, the fact that my cv is also not to the highest standard, I feel like I’m not gonna get any opportunities. And I need you guys to be honest pls, ofc we have to face the reality, yes a 2:1 is not that bad, but looking at the bigger picture, any little academic advantage is really helpful, and a first would have just given me that extra edge.
Pls idk what I’m looking for, by posting this, but just don’t know where to go from here. Ofc I wanna do law, and it’s smth that I really do want to achieve it once in my life. Be able to practice it, at highest level.
Reply 1
Hi @ToGodly👋
Firstly, good luck with your results🤞 Whatever grade you get, it's important to feel proud of what you've achieved❤️
I think it will be beneficial for you to consider postgraduate study in law. It would strengthen your CV and give you a competitive advantage over other candidates when applying for jobs. Depending on where you study, you'll also have the opportunity to gain additional work experience and the chance to build connections through the course.
I wish you the very best for your future.
-Leanne😊
Firstly, good luck with your results🤞 Whatever grade you get, it's important to feel proud of what you've achieved❤️
I think it will be beneficial for you to consider postgraduate study in law. It would strengthen your CV and give you a competitive advantage over other candidates when applying for jobs. Depending on where you study, you'll also have the opportunity to gain additional work experience and the chance to build connections through the course.
I wish you the very best for your future.
-Leanne😊
Reply 2
ToGodly
OP
21
Update: I got a 2:1. Missed my first class by nearly 2 percent. I’ve asked them to round it up. But idk if they will. Seems like a big gap like 2 percent is a lot. But having to commute uni for 5 hours each day and stuff was really hard for me
Reply 3
14
Original post
by ToGodlyUpdate: I got a 2:1. Missed my first class by nearly 2 percent. I’ve asked them to round it up. But idk if they will. Seems like a big gap like 2 percent is a lot. But having to commute uni for 5 hours each day and stuff was really hard for me
I don't agree with @Leanne_USW's post above. Committing to a further year of study with all the associated costs, when you don't really know what you want to do, would seem to be a waste of time.
Whilst you say you "wanna do law", you don't give any indication of what sort of area or in which location. I'd also suggest that the fact that you didn't apply for many (or any) training contracts may indicate that perhaps this isn't the career route you're really committed to.
A 2:1 is an excellent result, and there may well be opportunities open to you but the fact you haven't really explored any of those to date - whether thru vac schemes or training contract applications has certainly put you at a disadvantage. I would take the summer to think carefully about what you want to achieve, and why.
Reply 4
I'll second chalks' view on the postgraduate studying. It's debatable that it would make any real difference to any future application anyway, but certainly isn't the way to go when there's so much uncertainty surrounding your future.
The main thing that stands out to me here is that I'm not sure what difference the 2:1 makes to anything in a practical sense. You say that a First may have resulted in you feeling that you've achieved something, and that may be true, but your eventual grade shouldn't have made any difference to the steps that you've taken to this point and the steps that you're now planning to take. And therein lies the problem, because even if you'd achieved a First, you've done very little. You're down on your prospects and with good reason, but that reason is not the 2:1. The reason is the very few practical steps that you've taken to pursue a legal career to date, and you'd still be in that position even if you'd achieved a First.
I do agree with chalks that a 2:1 is an excellent result. It opens up many potential future pathways when it comes to a career. But the problem here is that you haven't really explored, let alone committed, to any of those, whether that be a training contract or anything else. Your next step is that you need to figure out what it is what you want. Once you've done that you can establish a plan for what you need to do and how you go about doing it. But you need direction first.
The main thing that stands out to me here is that I'm not sure what difference the 2:1 makes to anything in a practical sense. You say that a First may have resulted in you feeling that you've achieved something, and that may be true, but your eventual grade shouldn't have made any difference to the steps that you've taken to this point and the steps that you're now planning to take. And therein lies the problem, because even if you'd achieved a First, you've done very little. You're down on your prospects and with good reason, but that reason is not the 2:1. The reason is the very few practical steps that you've taken to pursue a legal career to date, and you'd still be in that position even if you'd achieved a First.
I do agree with chalks that a 2:1 is an excellent result. It opens up many potential future pathways when it comes to a career. But the problem here is that you haven't really explored, let alone committed, to any of those, whether that be a training contract or anything else. Your next step is that you need to figure out what it is what you want. Once you've done that you can establish a plan for what you need to do and how you go about doing it. But you need direction first.
Reply 5
Original post
by ToGodlySo today I will be opening my results for final year law at uni of Liverpool. Honestly I don’t know what to do with my life. I really wanted a first class, but there is 90 percent chances I’m getting a 2:1. Anyways for me, if I had gotten a first class, I would have been much more satirised even if I hadn’t found a job in next few months. (I’m already working in an airport) but at least I would have that comfort that I did well in uni.
Anyways I just don’t know where to go from here. I have a lot of non legal work experience, a bit of insights and a shadowing law clinic here and there. Not much to write on cv regarding legal experience.
And this is what stops me from applying to trading contracts, because not only the field is already competitive, the fact that my cv is also not to the highest standard, I feel like I’m not gonna get any opportunities. And I need you guys to be honest pls, ofc we have to face the reality, yes a 2:1 is not that bad, but looking at the bigger picture, any little academic advantage is really helpful, and a first would have just given me that extra edge.
Pls idk what I’m looking for, by posting this, but just don’t know where to go from here. Ofc I wanna do law, and it’s smth that I really do want to achieve it once in my life. Be able to practice it, at highest level.
Anyways I just don’t know where to go from here. I have a lot of non legal work experience, a bit of insights and a shadowing law clinic here and there. Not much to write on cv regarding legal experience.
And this is what stops me from applying to trading contracts, because not only the field is already competitive, the fact that my cv is also not to the highest standard, I feel like I’m not gonna get any opportunities. And I need you guys to be honest pls, ofc we have to face the reality, yes a 2:1 is not that bad, but looking at the bigger picture, any little academic advantage is really helpful, and a first would have just given me that extra edge.
Pls idk what I’m looking for, by posting this, but just don’t know where to go from here. Ofc I wanna do law, and it’s smth that I really do want to achieve it once in my life. Be able to practice it, at highest level.
I would argue that if you are truly committed to a career in law (you have to be certain), then a postgraduate masters degree at a russell group ranked higher than Liverpool could be extremely beneficial, it gives you a chance to get involved with societies (perhaos start your own), some univerisities have legal internships abroad (I did one in St Lucia), you have opportunities to volunteer, do work experience in a uni department, pro-bono work within the uni etc.
Overall, postgraduate study at a top russell group offers so many opportunities to enhance your profile and make you more atrractive as a candidate.
This is something i personally have pursued to enhance my profile.
Hope this helps.
Reply 6
Original post
by ToGodlySo today I will be opening my results for final year law at uni of Liverpool. Honestly I don’t know what to do with my life. I really wanted a first class, but there is 90 percent chances I’m getting a 2:1. Anyways for me, if I had gotten a first class, I would have been much more satirised even if I hadn’t found a job in next few months. (I’m already working in an airport) but at least I would have that comfort that I did well in uni.
Anyways I just don’t know where to go from here. I have a lot of non legal work experience, a bit of insights and a shadowing law clinic here and there. Not much to write on cv regarding legal experience.
And this is what stops me from applying to trading contracts, because not only the field is already competitive, the fact that my cv is also not to the highest standard, I feel like I’m not gonna get any opportunities. And I need you guys to be honest pls, ofc we have to face the reality, yes a 2:1 is not that bad, but looking at the bigger picture, any little academic advantage is really helpful, and a first would have just given me that extra edge.
Pls idk what I’m looking for, by posting this, but just don’t know where to go from here. Ofc I wanna do law, and it’s smth that I really do want to achieve it once in my life. Be able to practice it, at highest level.
Anyways I just don’t know where to go from here. I have a lot of non legal work experience, a bit of insights and a shadowing law clinic here and there. Not much to write on cv regarding legal experience.
And this is what stops me from applying to trading contracts, because not only the field is already competitive, the fact that my cv is also not to the highest standard, I feel like I’m not gonna get any opportunities. And I need you guys to be honest pls, ofc we have to face the reality, yes a 2:1 is not that bad, but looking at the bigger picture, any little academic advantage is really helpful, and a first would have just given me that extra edge.
Pls idk what I’m looking for, by posting this, but just don’t know where to go from here. Ofc I wanna do law, and it’s smth that I really do want to achieve it once in my life. Be able to practice it, at highest level.
Hey,
I am a 3rd year law student, and I just want to mention that a lot of law firms, even the magic circle ones (if you're aiming to become a solicitor), require a 2:1 or 1st-class degree for a training contract. So a 2:1 is not bad at all! I do understand how you feel, especially because you set your mind to a 1st, but you do not need to worry and remember a 2:1 is still very good, so don’t be too disappointed. Additionally, there are many volunteering and virtual legal experiences you can take part in. For example, there is forage which has many law firms virtual internships/ job simulations, which is basically what you would do if offered a work experience opportunity https://www.theforage.com/. There are legal volunteering opportunities such as Citizens’ Advice, Free Representation Unit, law clinics, etc. I volunteer at my university's law clinic. Also, if your uni has a law society, get involved in that too. Secondly, I cannot emphasise this enough: ATTEND EVENTS! Both virtual and in-person, and most of these are free to students and graduates. Legal cheek is a great start, they host a series of barristers and solicitors, insight into the law events, etc. You could also do court marshaling which involves shadowing a judge for a day or two, and opportunities are posted on the justice website, or your university might have a connection. The courts are open to the public so you could go to the courts any weekday, watch a case, and communicate with the barristers afterwards. Many of them are happy to offer you work experience or even chat to you about their experience, which is invaluable. You could also apply for vacation schemes at law firms. They are competitive but not at all impossible, and you do not need any legal work experience. I got a vacation scheme last year. Even without legal work experience, there are so many transferable skills you have from your jobs, previous experience and academics already. For example, your transferrable skills in working in an airport, such as working under pressure, customer service and effective communication skills, are paramount skills that are required of lawyers and are what most legal experiences give. Just don’t lose hope, you very much can still practice the law. I wish you all the best, and I hope you found this helpful!
-Salamatu (3rd year law student)
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