I've been a paralegal for 20 years. Finished the LPC about a year and a half ago with distinction. Was always planning to do training contract at my old job but at the final moment my boss (who is not a solicitor) panicked at having me leave her department for another "seat", and that was that. Plus a lot of sarky comments about posh solicitors.
Took a leap of faith and got a job at a new firm, better job all around, and when I mentioned a training contract they said, "By all means!"
So I'll be a fully qualified solicitor by the time I'm 51.
I went to post the paperwork today and the two practice managers hugged me.