Would it be worth going for a career in law?
Posted by Ok_Mousse3645@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Hi all! I’m currently having a predicament over what to do in the future since I can’t just stay jobless forever 💔. I’m currently in year 12 & doing my A levels and very undecided in a future career, I was originally thinking about law but quite frankly I don’t think I’m clever enough to get onto the course to do it 🙈. I’m applying for Cambridge to do hsps, but after that I’m completely stuck on what to do.
I was considering po litics since it’s literally my favourite thing ever and I’m borderline insane about political theory, but how and IF I’d even be able to get a job is a tad of putting, since I don’t particularly know how you’d go about getting into it or if there’s even any point? I don’t really know what else I’d be able to do with it if I actually got in, like I’d be happy in a career in law but I’m just afraid that it might just be mind numbingly boring?? I’m considering resitting my a levels next year if I decide against doing that so I can just apply for aerospace, which I probably should’ve done in the first place 🤷♀️. Anyways, if anybody has any input it’d be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Another_Random_Chap@reddit
Do something that interests you, not something you think might get you a job. Yes, it may get you a job, but there's no guarantee you'll actually enjoy it.
Lovecraftian666@reddit
I did law. Graduated with distinction did lot of extracurricular. Couldn’t get a trainee solicitor place to save my life, despite applying throughout uni. People who went to private school had no issues. If you’re privately educated you’re golden.
I eventually got a paralegal job with view to getting a traineeship at the end. Turned out the firm had a practice of hiring desperate graduates, I was doing everything from makework to partner level work while they were on holiday for minimum wage. I distinctly one partner for having a go at me for not sorting out their huge paper archive system in the basement, something also derogated to someone else who thought he was too good to do it. I was snowed under 9-5 doing partner level work and the boss micromanaged it all.
Was let go once they had enough donkey work out of me. Thought fuck it, I’m retraining, went to see and now do marine compliance and inspections.
Not to put you off - just my personal story! I wish you all the best!
firerawks@reddit
a lot of getting a degree is just proving to future employers you can apply yourself for 3 years, turn up to the places you’re supposed to, organise yourself and produce some kind of output at the end.
so doing a politics degree isn’t a bad thing. you can still get jobs in other sectors, the degree just proves to them you are competent enough to get the degree. they then teach you the specifics of the job
Educational_Try_6105@reddit
don’t do criminal law, pay is terrible
WildOne19923@reddit
Take your sweet time and don't rush to decide what you'll absolutely be in the future. Life is twisty & turvy. I did a degree in Ancient History with no clue for the future or what I'd do post-university. I've now been in the military for 10 years and had no intention of joing signing up during uni.
Focus on getting good A-levels and doing a degree that you'll be interested in and you'll be okay.
Conscious-Rope7515@reddit
Retired lawyer here. You don't need to make up your mind now. A law degree is not necessary for a career in law. Many (Lord Sumption is perhaps the best-known) successful lawyers do not have one. You just do a one-year cram of the necessary knowledge once you get your degree. Far more important for success is the class of degree you obtain, and in order to get a decent result you need to be interested in the degBut if you are most interested in politics, and you think you are up to applying to Cambridge, then why in earth aren't you also considering PPE at Oxford?
fluentindothraki@reddit
You might want to read up on AI in legal professions but then, there won't be many professions where AI won't have an impact
ResplendentBear@reddit
Have friend who works for a City law firm. His grads start on 6 figures (bear in mind they've had to do law school after their degrees). You don't need to be Oxbridge. He definitely wasn't. You do need to be smart and willing to do 70 hour weeks.
Of course there are considerably less demanding legal jobs, but that's one perspective.
Do_You_Like_Owls@reddit
You may have better luck at these subs:
https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/
https://www.reddit.com/r/uklaw/
I'm not a lawyer but have read The Secret Barrister and often comer across posts/comments by legal pros on Reddit. Law is often hard and poorly paid unless you get into some commercial law, but it's a big industry like everything really with multiple tracks an d options.
I really enjoyed my UK Politics A-level from 99-01. It was my favourite but my main focus was tech which were covered by my other subjects (Computing, Maths, Physics).
You're still young and have a LOT of options. Good luck.
Vast-Slip-@reddit
You don't think you're clever enough to do law but you're applying to Cambridge and your backup is redoing A Levels and then the aerospace sector?
What?
Do_You_Like_Owls@reddit
I really miss my youthful arrogance.
GourangaPlusPlus@reddit
Teenager innit
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