Too old for a radical career change?

[SuddenlyOld]

At school I started on the path of studying law. Sixth form was very limited at my school so I was doing A level English, History and Philosophy. Due to my homelife being dire I left after 1 year, moved away and started a foundation course at uni leading to an engineering degree.

Now at the grand Old age of 55 I'd like to study law and hopefully work in the field of advising people about their rights in employment or consumer issues or criminal issues. A bit like citizens advice would do.

In the course of my career I worked in product safety and was pretty closely involved with trading standards. I have also been the employee rep and supported staff with workplace disputes.

I really love working with the law and governance etc.

I can't give up work to study so (I haven't fully researched it) I'm probably looking at a minimum of 5 years OU study to get a law degree.

Just wondering if anyone knows of a better/quicker route into law, and have I left it too late?

Although I need to earn 40k for the next 15 years (late to mortgages too) I'm not looking to earn a fortune in law - it's more vocational for me. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks

What about compliance within engineering?

Otherwise there’s the post grad SQE to qualify as a solicitor.

At your age I’d study law and go into company secretarory / non exec director roles in your speciality

Ah … This thread would fit perfectly on the Mature Study and Retraining board …

No one’s ever too old while they’re alive, @SuddenlyOld - the question is whether, by the time you’re qualified, you’ll be able to pass yourself off convincingly as an Artificial Intelligence entity?

Speaking as a former legal practitioner I wonder whether simply ‘advising people of their rights’ will need much human input, going forward. Advocacy is a different matter, though.

Why can’t you do the PGDL and get a training contract with a firm who pay for your LPC, you’d be earning money sooner ?

Have a look at training to be a Costs Lawyer

You won’t need a whole new degree, btw! Just the professional qualification - however that is now organised.

Chartered Legal Executive

Lots of ideas thanks

I'm new to MN and had no idea the other chat room existed.

I will look into some of the things mentioned

I'm new to MN and had no idea the other chat room existed.

Aha …

Here are all the Talk Topics, @SuddenlyOld. Click on any Topic and you’ll find all the different Boards (Education for instance contains Primary, Secondary, Boarding, Higher Ed, Mature Study, etc, etc, etc …) And each board will have countless threads. Enjoy!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk

Thank you Any1 smiles