If you were me, would you go into law? (Or any career recommendations welcome)

[AlrighDaveHowsItGoingAlrigh]

I’m looking to change career. I work in arts admin and do some piano teaching and freelance bits in the arts too. I’m 27 so technically still time to retrain. I don’t know what though. Law has always appealed but I only got a 2.1 and I know it’s so competitive. I’ve done some piano teaching in schools so know I couldn’t be a teacher full time. I feel I want more of a career or at least one main job not just bits and pieces. Has anyone retrained? Or any words of advice?

Just be aware that if you want to become a solicitor it's a long, expensive road. It's extremely competitive; training contracts are like gold dust. Everyone will have at least a 2:1; academics are only a starting point. It's an interesting, engaging, challenging career but not one you can embark on casually IYSWIM.

Law is ridiculously saturated and competitive. It’s also not particularly lucrative unless you get a job at a top firm. It depends what you want I guess. It’s not a career I would recommend and I’ve done it for 15 years. Most lawyers I know would love to leave the profession.

Sorry, that sounded a bit negative. If you're bright and want a challenge it might really suit you!

If I had my time again I'd learn a trade like roofer, plumber or electrician, work on building sites for experience and then set up my own building firm. Theres a lack of females in this industry and there's lots of work and profit to be made for honest reputable firms.

I read a post on Facebook today that Leeds university have upped the entry requirements for law because they receive so many applications for law. I wouldn't be surprised if other universities follow suit.

There’s a thread like this every week. Honestly just don’t do it.

Lady that sounds great but I just don’t think I’m good at that kind of thing.

Law can be a very interesting career. It is highly competitive but the financial rewards can be huge. City and US law firms pay large salaries for junior lawyers (in excess of £100,000) see www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-14/london-law-firms-pay-war-rages-as-macfarlanes-offers-six-figures

why does law appeal? Thats the key question I think. It is easy for people to make a lot of assumptions about a legal career.

Personally I am so glad I became a lawyer but I know I am a rarity. I was always bookish and loved a real intellectual challenge and definitely needed a job that was demanding on that front. I also needed a job that was fulfilling and am lucky to have found a niche that really is.

However, it took me a few twists and turns to find a slither of the legal world that genuinely suited me. I hated private practice. Hated being expected to dress like a corporate clone and hated the culture of presenteeism and the demand to go to endless ghastly "networking" events.

I retrained at 30 to law. I had a 2.1 from my first degree and had worked in a genuinely relevant/similar field to law for 6 years prior.

Four years of gruelling part time study, 45 individual exams and £25000 later I spent two years trying to get training contracts and failed. Difficult when you are up against 21 year old Oxbridgers with Firsts. I even did Pro Bono work with a top city law firm for two years and they rejected me (feedback: I had limited extracurricular involvement or responsibilities at school.... I had worked for 8 years at that point in professional roles and I went to a state school in the eighties where these things didn't exist!)

Of my 10 or so law school cohort close friends only 3 got TC's and only 1 remains a lawyer. She hates it but is stuck as she's now in a decent salary and the other two hated it and got out after about 5 years qualified.

International relations? So similar to law in that you are reading and following treaties and U.N. resolutions and many other legal documents. But also negotiating things like trade agreements and solving problems. U.K. is in desperate need of people with these skills since Brexit.

Malin What do you do now?

That sounds interesting Plan.

I think it's a tricky age to switch into law (at 27). Not sure what the conversion route is now but back in the day it was a 1 year law conversion course (Full time), 1 year LPC (Full time) and 2 years as a trainee. That's 4 years before you even qualify. If you have any desire to start a family, its going to be tricky to establish yourself whilst juggling mat leave / young children. Not impossible but worth thinking about.

Also, the huge financial rewards that a pp mentions at American firms are not the norm. I agree with the poster that says law is not as lucrative / well paid as people think.

What about accounting? Or digital marketing? Or software development?

The average pay for a solicitor in 2018 was £62,000. This is for all solicitors. Many earn far in excess of that. See www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/how-much-do-solicitors-earn
I am a barrister working at a firm and love my job. It’s challenging and I am fortunate with my pay. I would recommend law to you.

The average pay for a solicitor in 2018 was £62,000. This is for all solicitors. Many earn far in excess of that

Well, if many earn far in excess of £62,000, by definition many have to earn far less than £62,000. That's how averages work!!

What made you decide teaching wasn't for you? Law is very, very stressful. I don't think I have had a good night's sleep in around 10 years due to the job. Everyone is different but I would not recommend this career to anyone.

@Africa2go not sure why you’re being unpleasant. Maybe you didn’t look at the link so missed the point of my post? The average across all years of qualification is £62k but for for partners is far more (as shown on the link). Presumably the OP is looking at what they may earn over several years in the profession which is why I thought the link may assist her/him. Not sure how your sarky comment furthers the discussion or helps the OP?

I know people older than you who retrained and now practice law, but it’s not for everyone. You would have to be passionate about the career and incredibly driven.

Teaching children may not be something you are keen on, but what about adult education or learning technology?

Just to add- it’s not that I’m saying you are not passionate or driven as a person, but you really need to be ‘into’ law if you are considering it as a career.

I wasn't being unpleasant. I was simply making the point that an average is exactly that.

@Africa2go

The average pay for a solicitor in 2018 was £62,000. This is for all solicitors. Many earn far in excess of that

Well, if many earn far in excess of £62,000, by definition many have to earn far less than £62,000. That's how averages work!!

The average is also distorted by the City and US firms who pay hugely more than the rest.

In a high street firm salaries will be significantly lower, if you can even get qualified. Lots of aspiring solicitors get stuck in paralegal roles due to the lack of training contracts. Paralegal wages are crap, often earning less than the secretaries in the same firm.

I did it and enjoy it but I think you can get an equivalent salary with less stress. Consider specialisms in finance instead.

That's my point @Jesus. The vast majority of lawyers are not particularly well paid (certainly in comparison to other professions like accountancy or medicine).

Nope I’m quite introverted I just don’t think I could deal with children/teenagers all day every day.