Let your next career move come to you.

Hope against hope
Got my last PFO today - from HS. Not really surprising given the fact I got a 3rd in Contract.  No mitigating circumstances, just simple exam f-up.  Did really well in everything else. But in this market, 3rd in Contract just isn't going to cut it. 

Plus I'm old. And female; a combination I'm sure doesn't sit well with law firms.  So, as it stands if I get a TC next year, I'll qualify the wrong side of 35.

But despite this and the relentless doom and gloom surrounding securing training contracts, I have hope against hope.

Am I bonkers? Maybe. 

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Comments

Anonymous 26 August 10 18:25

I can sympathise with you.... I am 27 and it is my first year of applying for TCs and I have had numerous PFOs this year. I am a GDL student who gained a Commendation with mainly 60s and 70s marks. I gained a 2:2 from for a non-legal degree (Earth Science) and a 2:1 in my MSc (Environmental). I have worked as a geoenvironmental engineer for five years and therefore have extensive experience in the environmental, construction and property sectors. I am taking the LPC in September full time and trying to get work experience whilst also working as an engineer... ! I have been offered some roles but they are legal admin type things and my current job pays enough to pay the bills.....

I am struggling and trying to stay positive, I understand the market is hard and I am worried about taking the LPC without securing a training contract first.

If you don't mind me asking did you do a degree or the GDL? - it is difficult to stay positive with all the worry!! :-(

Anonymous 26 August 10 18:31

Hello,

I can sympathise.. I am 27 and studied the GDL this year gaining a Commendation overall. That being said I gained a 2:2 at undergraduate in Earth Science and pretty poor A-levels.

I did do an MSc in ENvironmental Geochemistry to compensate for the 2:2 and gained a very high 2:1 however, this has made no difference.

I have had all PFOs straight away with no invite to AC days. I have worked as a geoenvironmental engineer for five years and have extensive experience in the environmental, property and construction sectors, I have targeted my applications and it has still made no difference.

It is depressing and I have got a place on the LPC starting next month and of course am very worried abou not getting a TC. I have had offers for legal admin jobs, however, they are so poorly paid I have had to remain an engineer.

Did you take a GDL course or the undergraduate law degree?

Very unsure about what to do and looking for paralegal work but that is of course hard to find in the current climate...

My advise keep smiling ! :-)