To ask if the law conversion course is worth it?

[superstarheartbreaker]

I am fed up with being a teacher, I am rubbish at it anyway (or been made to feel rubbish) and am fed up with the poitics. It brings out the worst in me.
I have a 2:1 in English, a PGCE and I am a hard worker. I have always fancied doing the law conversion course with a view either of becoming a solicitor and/or a legal secretary. I know it is competetive but I like using my brain.
Anyone done a law conversion course and loved it? What is it really like being a solicitor and as a single mother, should I give up any dreams of a high-flying career and start a bunting and cupcake enterprise instead? (no offence intended as having my own business is one of my dreams!)

If it's something you're looking into maybe ILEX would be a better bet?

I looked into that too. To be honest, it's just something I ruminate over every now again with no intention of ever doing anything about.

I'm in the lower courts quite often through my job and find it all as dull as. I wouldn't make a very good criminal lawyer at least. Can't be bothered with all that waiting around.

I did the law conversion course, it was really interesting but i didn't take it further because my grades were average and it seemed to be those with exceptional grades who would get the training contracts, plus it made me realise that to have a successful career in law I would have had to massively sacrifice family and social time, and spend a LOT of time reading very dry, boring paperwork. It made me realise that it's not all Rumpole of the Bailey type excitement!

from what you have said I wouldn't do it. I would only do it with a training contract lined up these days and you are unlikely to get one as a single parent as they will want you to work all hours. many more places on Lpc than training contracts which is a scandal imo. its very pressured and not necessarily well paid . If you go secretary or paralegal route the pay is crap compared to teaching but it would be less pressured than being a solicitor. I wouldn't swap one really stressful career for another really stressful career tbh . sorry.

It's funny you as a teacher should post this, particularly given your degree. I still wish I'd done an English degree and gone into teaching.

It's a shame we can't just swap!

I have to warn you, I know teachers work hard. Lawyers work harder and get five weeks hol a year (if lucky). The money's good but they take their pound of flesh for it.

This.

I am a lawyer in an international firm. Currently doing a stint overseas and trying to get promoted to partner. No female partners in my region. I have not had an uninterrupted holiday for 10+ years (i.e. not even a single day in which I have not had to check my blackberry, call a client/colleague etc). As a PP said - if you don't check, you come back to a shitstorm because your colleagues are being beasted as much as you.

If you do go for a high street practice (and it is actually equally if not more competitive, because there are fewer traineeships available) bear in mind that the money won't be any better than teaching. (And if you are a a legal secretary or a paralegal, it will be considerably worse).

I am a lawyer. It is hard work, stressful and lots of people I know are looking for a way out. I work longer hours than my teacher friends, and I get 5 weeks holiday a year (during which I am still expected to be available on my blackberry) not 13 weeks like teachers.

There are some positives (good salary if in a big firm) but if you think being a lawyer would be an easy option compared to teaching you might be in for a shock.

There is politics in every job but oh my goodness ...in teaching is something else! 20 or 30 minds in one class is a huge undertaking.

If it's politics you are worried about, don't go to a law firm. Many, many large ego's in one place, fighting over clients and "turf". By the sounds of things, the only advantage over your current job is that you will be way too busy to pay any attention to it.... ;-)

FWIW I am getting out next year, and I am pretty much the last woman in private practice still standing from my trainee intake (which was about 70% female!)

If you're interested do your GDL part time. Not that much to lose and will get you on the way. It is blinking dull though.

Don't do it.
Training contracts are in short supply and fought for. Paralegal opportunities, well, its a saturated market. NQ solicitors who can't get NQ posts want paralegal work, LPC/conversion course students who can't get TC's also want paralegal work. The pay for paralegals is not good. I am a legal PA paid double what the paralegals are paid!
Most lawyers I know want out/are looking for a change in career.

Think carefully about going into law. It is not as well paid as people would imagine. My dsis left a career in science to train as a solicitor and regrets her decision.
She is now trying to find a way back into science

I echo would Trojan says. My brother in same boat

I am a solicitor and I do love my job but I know I am a real rarity. I work in house and it is more family friendly but still pressured and the pay is no better than a teacher's (and we only get 5 weeks holidays)

We had over 80 applicants for one training contract place this year.

I would recommend getting lots of work experience in lots of different types of law/ law firms before you even think about it any further, the reality might be quite different from what you imagine it to be

Don't do it. I was a solicitor for 10 years. I hated all of it apart from 3 years in house. Private practise is a cut throat nightmare. I would never go back to it, most of my uni friends hate it too and many got out years ago.

I still do it, and I enjoy it, and it pays well, but I won't do it forever and wouldn't do it as a second career.

You'll not find an unhappier profession than law. Except maybe teaching. Stuck between a rock and a hard place I think you are. Also if you have done an English degree I am guessing you may have a creative leaning. No scope for creativity shuffling bits of paper around for a living as a solicitor I am afraid. Do. Not. Do. It.

I did the OU law degree and apart from the sense of achievement, it gained me little. ATM I earn 24k for what amounts to listening to Radio 4, and a little light exercise. The subject knowledge comes in handy for terrorising the clients though.

ILEX would have meant a 5k pay cut and having to wear a suit. LPC would mean remortgaging.

You could try tutoring: A level rates are £40-50 ph and the pupils, while somewhat dim, don't outnumber you.

Ok so other career options are:
Exam marking(I actually enjoy marking).
Making resources for education...ditto.
Tutoring...lots of experience here.
Editing/ desk top publishing
Or mabe something completely different like a cake company as I'm very good at baking.

I don't think you should do it if your main motivation is that you think it will be easier than teaching! You will be in for a rude shock and that's if you even manage to get a job after GDL/LPC which is by no means guaranteed. If you want something less stressful and without as much workplace politics the law is not what you are after!

X post, I think all of those other options which draw on your existing experience sound good and less stressful.

Please do some work experience. Hubby lawyer and told lucky to get his training contract (few years ago) paid at 18k in the south east. I know loads who done the 3 year degree course etc who are unemployed and working as a waiter. A couple of huge law firms gone under last month. Google them. Very hard market out there. Would suggest teaching but just seen young teachers on bbc iplayer. Love my job with the nhs. Please do work experience and find out whats best for you.