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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why someone would do a law degree

144 replies

ACatCalledColin · 24/03/2014 22:22

if they had no intention of becoming a lawyer?

A friends daughter is starting university in September, she's going to be reading law. She's going to an ex-poly, not a 'bad' one by any means, it's more in the middle of the league table.

Anyways I was talking to her today and the subject of university came up and I asked her if she was worried about what might happen after university - if she would struggle to get a training contract because she went to an ex poly and she said 'oh, I don't want to be a lawyer, actually, I just like law. I'll probably end up working in PR or something like that anyways'.

Maybe it's just me but I genuinely don't understand why someone would study law if they weren't even slightly interested in a career in law. It's not like it's an interesting subject, is it? It's very boring and dull so it's not like anyone can use the excuse that you simply like the subject.

I would have thought a humanities degree or even a business one would be more relevant for PR anyways (and more interesting too. )

OP posts:

givemeaclue · 28/03/2014 14:20

That is not the norm though Joni. That is one firm out of many, it's newsworthy because it is unusual.

jonicomelately · 28/03/2014 14:55

No. It's a growing trend actually.

jonicomelately · 28/03/2014 14:56

Google cv blind law firms if you don't believe me.

BeCool · 28/03/2014 15:33

I think it is also a myth you need to get a job/contract with a 'leading law firm' to be successful as a lawyer. I know so many successful lawyers - none of who work for major firms, some self employed or with their own small partnerships. All doing very well.

I had a friend years ago who worked for a big city firm on London - he hated it. He moved to a tiny firm, quickly became partner and now years later still there very happy, doing well.

TryingToBePractical · 28/03/2014 15:52

I have a friend who does some interviewing at the law firm I used to work at. They do blind CVs. She said that by removing the school at university name, it is still very obvious which candidates went to Oxbridge - references to being on the JCR committee or college rowing team etc all over their CV or what they say at interview - depends how far the firms take it I guess, and sounds lke CC go further than my old firm. I do though think it helps remove the perception of bias which may encourage more applicants from other universities.

margerybruce · 28/03/2014 15:53

One of my DC's is currently at a RG university doing Law.

He has no desire to be a lawyer and never had!

He got top marks in the LNAT in his year and just has that sort of brain. It has always been obvious that he was good at that type of academic study - that's not to say that he has found it easy at all! Quite the opposite!

He didn't like it at first and was thinking about changing - but it has gradually grown on him and suited him and given him confidence in himself which he has always lacked. He is a boy from a normal bog standard comp. and it has taught him to have discipline and made him grow up.

Is that not the point of a degree? To stretch you and to give you confidence to go on in life? And surely one should choose a subject that one is good at and suited for?

I hope when he graduates he will do whatever makes him happy - whatever that may be. But the rigour of his degree will hopefully set him up for the rest of his life - as it should - whatever subject that may be in.

keely79 · 28/03/2014 16:01

Law degree is very different from being a lawyer - as an academic subject it covers aspects of public policy, history, sociology, international relations and ethics - law is what all societies are created from - it binds together nations, and is fundamental nearly all transactions between human beings. Perhaps the question is more why she wouldn't want to study it....

OvertiredandConfused · 28/03/2014 16:07

Firstly a confession that I haven't read the full thread. Sorry.

I read law. At Oxford. I was clear in my admission interview that I didn't want to become a lawyer or a barrister. It clearly didn't put them off offering me a place.

I loved reading law but I don't regret my decision not to pursue it as a career. I love the intellectual rigour and stimulation. I've found the ability to absorb vast amounts of competing information quickly, and many of the other practical skills that I acquired during the three years highly transferable and very useful. And it has absolutely helped my career being able to say I have a law degree from Oxford as well as being a great put down to people who tried to look through me when I was a SAHM

jonicomelately · 28/03/2014 17:38

That's the great thing about education OvertiredandConfused Nobody
Can ever take it away from you

HarderThanYouThink · 28/03/2014 20:22

Cant remember who asked but when i say i want to work in some area in law but don't want to be a solicitor or barrister, im interested in probation, i don't think you have to have a law degree for it, but like i said, i think law is a fascinating subject and id like to study it

CorrieDale · 28/03/2014 20:29

Law is fascinating. Being a lawyer sucks. Well it did for me. I often thought that being an academic lawyer would be the ideal career - client and law partner free law... Wonder if it's too late to live the dream or if I should stick to face painting...

Mimishimi · 28/03/2014 22:07

It is said that up to three-quarters of people with a law degree do not use it in a professional capacity. I can see how it would be useful going into a commerce related field.

Gomez · 28/03/2014 22:12

I studied law as a second degree and then a masters. Purely as I thought it would be interesting. It was.

Back to work in financial services.

Would also do economics for the same reason.

First degree in maths btw so clearly utterly weird.

RandomInternetStranger · 28/03/2014 22:29

I have a law degree. I have no intention of ever being a lawyer. I did it because I found it interesting and useful.

jonicomelately · 28/03/2014 22:36

It's a shame that education always has to be vocational. I feel sorry for this generation of youngsters. In the past nobody ever questioned a person for choosing an academically rigorous degree that didn't follow an obvious career trajectory.

cafecito · 29/03/2014 02:04

I have a law degree. despite being lucky with jobs in top firms for various reasons I quit my lawyering and had a career change. Law is a great degree to do, it is very much an all-round subject that leaves the door open to many professions.
However to anyone specifically wanting to be a lawyer, I would say study the degree you will do the best in and enjoy the most, then do a GDL/conversion

KatnipEvergreen · 31/03/2014 12:38

Gary Slapper taught me at Staffs Uni many moons ago. You never forget that name.

TheVictorian · 31/03/2014 13:17

I have considered a law degree around corporate law area and my main reasons are i would enjoy the sparing sessions with fellow students, i find the subjects interesting in the technical aspects on how they relate to different areas, gives good prestige on a cv, if i completed a degree i would either apply straight for a solicitors or barristers position and / or start as a legal administrator and build my way up from there.

Minnieisthedevilmouse · 31/03/2014 13:25

Is this a real thread or a joke thread? Law is an ideal subject to get into a whole load of professions.

A remarkable amount of politicians, writers, pr, fashion, philanthropy, business minds all have law degrees. It is by far the most useful degree for getting a job.

I am amazed you haven't worked that one out tbh.

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