Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

University or full time job?

18 replies

kabfx · 23/08/2022 16:53

Hi
really after some advice here as I’m not sure what to do. Current circumstances to help understand the situation:
Single mum to two kids (6, 2)
Own my house with a Mortgage.

I have been offered a place to study an undergraduate degree in Law this September and have also been offered a new job within a good company, not on the best pay but could work my way up.

at the moment I own my own flat and my current mortgage payments are really really low as I bought it for a good price 5 years ago.

the things making me undecided;


  • I am in a position to go to university whilst my mortgage payments are low and therefore I won’t ‘struggle’ with the student loans and maintenance grants I get every month.

  • If I go to university, even though I will be required to study all week, it will give me that flexibility with childcare if I ever struggle and also will get more weeks off in the year than I would at a job.


the job I’ve been offered is a starting point for me and something I could see myself working my way up in, but I just don’t know whether I should get a degree behind me first. My issue is I really really want to buy a house but I am not in a position to be able too for another 3/4 years. I already have my deposit so that’s not a problem, but getting a bigger mortgage on my own is proving difficult.

please help and tell me which one I should go for. I am due to start my new job at the beginning of September so really need to make my mind up!!

thank you!

OP posts:
Cheeselog · 23/08/2022 16:55

What job do you do at the moment and would the degree help you get a better one?

Can you afford childcare or are you envisioning having the 2yo at home most of the time?

Bubblebubblebah · 23/08/2022 16:59

whether I should get a degree behind me first.

That doesn't sound like you want to do law? I did this. I would take the job and if I needed qualifications in future (you often don't though) you can do distance study.

Hankunamatata · 23/08/2022 17:00

Do you actually want to study law? Doesnt sound like your overly enthusiastic about it. I would get a degree if it's going to help you progress your career

Original poster
kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:03

I do want to do law but I’ll be honest I’d be going mainly for the higher education

OP posts:
Original poster
kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:06

Actually, if I’m REALLY honest.. I want to do law because I like the idea of it potentially making me successful, especially as a single parent. Is that the wrong attitude?

OP posts:
GoldenGorilla · 23/08/2022 17:16

Law is an incredibly hard career to get into these days, and nowhere near as well paid as it used to be.

honestly in your shoes I’d take the job. There’s no guarantee that a law degree will lead to any better job than you could get without it. It may just be a waste of 3 years and leave you in debt.

take the job, once the kids are in school you may have a bit more free time and could do distance learning if you want to.

Bubblebubblebah · 23/08/2022 17:19

kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:06

Actually, if I’m REALLY honest.. I want to do law because I like the idea of it potentially making me successful, especially as a single parent. Is that the wrong attitude?

Yeah. You will end up with diploma in law, and totally different career where you didn't need it😁

What jobsa re you in now and what do you actually want to do?

Original poster
kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:19

@GoldenGorilla I have heard this a lot. I actually have nearly 2 years work experience as a Paralegal behind me so I guess that could help (maybe? Not sure?). But I think I’d only ever be interested in criminal or family law and I know those are the most sought after areas of Law, which therefore make it more difficult to get into. Ahh it’s such a minefield!!

OP posts:
Bubblebubblebah · 23/08/2022 17:19

GoldenGorilla · 23/08/2022 17:16

Law is an incredibly hard career to get into these days, and nowhere near as well paid as it used to be.

honestly in your shoes I’d take the job. There’s no guarantee that a law degree will lead to any better job than you could get without it. It may just be a waste of 3 years and leave you in debt.

take the job, once the kids are in school you may have a bit more free time and could do distance learning if you want to.

Agreed.

Original poster
kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:21

@Bubblebubblebah I currently work as a Paralegal in a Law firm, my new job offer is in Buying/ Brand & Marketing for a fashion company. So yep completely different 😁but both areas are the only ones I’ve wanted to work in growing up.

OP posts:
HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 23/08/2022 17:21

Is your mortgage rate fixed? If so how long for?

Bubblebubblebah · 23/08/2022 17:23

kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:21

@Bubblebubblebah I currently work as a Paralegal in a Law firm, my new job offer is in Buying/ Brand & Marketing for a fashion company. So yep completely different 😁but both areas are the only ones I’ve wanted to work in growing up.

Go for the job then. I absolutely would in your place. If you then require qualifications you can top them up and sometimes they could be subsided by the employer. Win win.

Yesmate · 23/08/2022 17:26

If you want to practice law, my advice would be to stay as a paralegal and talk to your fi about supporting you part time. This would be with a view to getting a training contract with them afterwards or completing the SQE.
I graduated as a single parent last year with a law degree, decided in my second year that I didn’t want to practice and I have just done my PGCE and secured a job in teaching.
It is a good degree, it is interesting and varied but it is bloody hard work. I wish I had known I didn’t want to practice before I did it!

Bubblebubblebah · 23/08/2022 17:28

Yesmate · 23/08/2022 17:26

If you want to practice law, my advice would be to stay as a paralegal and talk to your fi about supporting you part time. This would be with a view to getting a training contract with them afterwards or completing the SQE.
I graduated as a single parent last year with a law degree, decided in my second year that I didn’t want to practice and I have just done my PGCE and secured a job in teaching.
It is a good degree, it is interesting and varied but it is bloody hard work. I wish I had known I didn’t want to practice before I did it!

So many of us do!
Interesting how that many realised in the second year.

Btw there are legal apprenticeships for uni level

Original poster
kabfx · 23/08/2022 17:34

@HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd remortgaged last year, another 3 years on fixed rate.

OP posts:
GoldenGorilla · 23/08/2022 17:54

Family and criminal law are so badly paid, and there aren’t a lot of jobs. Experience as a paralegal will definitely help but you’re still looking at a very uncertain career path. I’d honestly take the job!

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 23/08/2022 17:59

Personally I would stick with law over marketing and see if both the university and your current employers would be willing for you to be PT. But that’s me.

titchy · 23/08/2022 18:07

Take the job, if you like it and see a future in it, look at doing a management degree either using your employers apprenticeship levy (so free to you) or OU. Ask the uni if you can defer to next year so you can see how the reality of the job pans out.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread