Engineering to Law; I am mad to consider?
Discussion
Hi, I realise there are currently several law conversion type topics but please bear with me.
I am currently an Engineer, to elaborate I have an Engineering degre (MEng Hons), 2.1 from Durham.
I work for a building consultancy and hold a pretty respectable position for my age (29) and earn a reasonable salary with a company car etc.
I am also just about to apply for chartered status.
So on the face of it my career is going pretty well.
The truth of the matter though is I am quickly becoming bored and just a little frustrated. I am more of a manager now than an engineer and seem to spend my time wiping the backside of others older but less capable than I am.
Anyway, my one big regret is that I didn't do a law conversion straight out of uni. It is a career that I have always been drawn to and I think I could be good at.
So is it too late? As approach my 30th, am about to be married and already have commitment to a large mortgage.
I could handle the conversion course over two years and I think just about earn enough in engineering working contract. It's the LPC or BAR and 2 years training where I would worry about making ends meet.
I am drawn very much more to the bar, but I know it is likely to be a much harder route.
I know I am probably being silly, but I keep thinking 'you only live once'.
OR shall I chalk it up as a pipe dream and continue as is?
Thanks.
I am currently an Engineer, to elaborate I have an Engineering degre (MEng Hons), 2.1 from Durham.
I work for a building consultancy and hold a pretty respectable position for my age (29) and earn a reasonable salary with a company car etc.
I am also just about to apply for chartered status.
So on the face of it my career is going pretty well.
The truth of the matter though is I am quickly becoming bored and just a little frustrated. I am more of a manager now than an engineer and seem to spend my time wiping the backside of others older but less capable than I am.
Anyway, my one big regret is that I didn't do a law conversion straight out of uni. It is a career that I have always been drawn to and I think I could be good at.
So is it too late? As approach my 30th, am about to be married and already have commitment to a large mortgage.
I could handle the conversion course over two years and I think just about earn enough in engineering working contract. It's the LPC or BAR and 2 years training where I would worry about making ends meet.
I am drawn very much more to the bar, but I know it is likely to be a much harder route.
I know I am probably being silly, but I keep thinking 'you only live once'.
OR shall I chalk it up as a pipe dream and continue as is?
Thanks.
The grass always looks greener.
Before you shell out for the CPE conversion course, have a read in the legal press about the oversupply of law and CPE graduates. There just aren't enough training contracts and pupillages to go around. Even if you're lucky enough to find one, it doesn't follow that it will automatically lead to a qualified solicitor role or to a place in a set of barristers chambers.
There's a lot in the legal news recently about firms trying to get their yet-to-start trainees to defer for 12 months, and firms who won't offer qualified positions to their trainees once they've done their two years training but instead off them rather less well-paid paralegal positions.
There will always be jobs for the best candidates but please do a bit of reading before you decide anything. Law has its own share of problems right at the moment....
Before you shell out for the CPE conversion course, have a read in the legal press about the oversupply of law and CPE graduates. There just aren't enough training contracts and pupillages to go around. Even if you're lucky enough to find one, it doesn't follow that it will automatically lead to a qualified solicitor role or to a place in a set of barristers chambers.
There's a lot in the legal news recently about firms trying to get their yet-to-start trainees to defer for 12 months, and firms who won't offer qualified positions to their trainees once they've done their two years training but instead off them rather less well-paid paralegal positions.
There will always be jobs for the best candidates but please do a bit of reading before you decide anything. Law has its own share of problems right at the moment....
Lurking Lawyer said:
The grass always looks greener.
Before you shell out for the CPE conversion course, have a read in the legal press about the oversupply of law and CPE graduates. There just aren't enough training contracts and pupillages to go around. Even if you're lucky enough to find one, it doesn't follow that it will automatically lead to a qualified solicitor role or to a place in a set of barristers chambers.
There's a lot in the legal news recently about firms trying to get their yet-to-start trainees to defer for 12 months, and firms who won't offer qualified positions to their trainees once they've done their two years training but instead off them rather less well-paid paralegal positions.
There will always be jobs for the best candidates but please do a bit of reading before you decide anything. Law has its own share of problems right at the moment....
All of that sounds pretty discouraging tbh Before you shell out for the CPE conversion course, have a read in the legal press about the oversupply of law and CPE graduates. There just aren't enough training contracts and pupillages to go around. Even if you're lucky enough to find one, it doesn't follow that it will automatically lead to a qualified solicitor role or to a place in a set of barristers chambers.
There's a lot in the legal news recently about firms trying to get their yet-to-start trainees to defer for 12 months, and firms who won't offer qualified positions to their trainees once they've done their two years training but instead off them rather less well-paid paralegal positions.
There will always be jobs for the best candidates but please do a bit of reading before you decide anything. Law has its own share of problems right at the moment....
Although the current downturn is definitely having an effect, engineers are generally still in demand.
I was hoping really that my work and life experiences to date would give me a small edge in applications.
From what i understand getting a training contract is very very difficult at the moment. An old Uni mate of mine has been paralegalling for 3 years after Uni in Liverpool (he couldn’t get a training contract straight off) so he's seen it as a foot in the door. He has finally got a training contract (through much arse kissing and begging it sounds like) with the company who has been paralegalling with, however they have been asking the fresh graduates to defer for 12 months, and they are having their pick of the best grads.
Ah, this seems typical of the opinions I have been finding elsewhere on the web
I am one promotion from partner where I am, but I was quite happy to return to the bottom of the pile (as I feel I an still young enough to work my way up) so long as my earnings weren't down for too long.
I am not happy to scratch around with total uncertainty for 2-3years though, earning peanuts because as stated I do have bills and responsibilities. And whilst I could always supplement my income with contract engineering work, I guess this would be nigh on impossible whilst putting the necessary time into forging a new career.
Too old, too tired... by 30 eh?
I might follow my other dream instead, and open a deli/sandwich bar
I am one promotion from partner where I am, but I was quite happy to return to the bottom of the pile (as I feel I an still young enough to work my way up) so long as my earnings weren't down for too long.
I am not happy to scratch around with total uncertainty for 2-3years though, earning peanuts because as stated I do have bills and responsibilities. And whilst I could always supplement my income with contract engineering work, I guess this would be nigh on impossible whilst putting the necessary time into forging a new career.
Too old, too tired... by 30 eh?
I might follow my other dream instead, and open a deli/sandwich bar
Slightly different angle, but I'm also 29 and doing reasonably well in IT earning a decent wage, but I'm bored - I kind of drifted into IT as a passing interest from Uni and I've just been pulled along since.
Like you, I was looking elsewhere (Journalism, in my case) and, like you, I'm wondering if its too late, wondering how I'll cope with being on bottom-rung wages and competing with fresh-faced Uni students.
But most of all, I'm concerned that its just a matter of (as mentioned) "grass is greener".
Sorry to send the thread off on a tangent, it was just interesting to read of someone in a similar position!
I am 40. I will finish my LPC this June. I made two applications to corporate law firms, got invited to interview to both and got TC offer the day of my first interview.
My understanding, from the various partners I speak to, is that those of us with real world commercial experience are attractive to law firms.
You have nothing to lose by sending off the TC applications. If you get one, the 'proper' firms will pay all your fees. The GDL and LPC are easily doable part time while working, so while it will take 4 years, you can still work, pay your mortgage and, more importantly, put savings aside to help when you take the pay cut as a trainee. City trainees are on about £35 -£40k at the moment. Just don't bother applying to the smaller firms as they pay buttons and won't pay your fees. Good luck.
My understanding, from the various partners I speak to, is that those of us with real world commercial experience are attractive to law firms.
You have nothing to lose by sending off the TC applications. If you get one, the 'proper' firms will pay all your fees. The GDL and LPC are easily doable part time while working, so while it will take 4 years, you can still work, pay your mortgage and, more importantly, put savings aside to help when you take the pay cut as a trainee. City trainees are on about £35 -£40k at the moment. Just don't bother applying to the smaller firms as they pay buttons and won't pay your fees. Good luck.
st_files said:
I dont get it with TC's - I am hoping to start my GDL in Sept - even though I've not been accepted onto any course I can apply for a TC now? To as many firms as I like?
Yes, training contracts can be awarded a couple of years, particularly if the firm is picking up the tab for the LPC etc. At least that was how it worked before the recession hit. Have you checked firms websites for how they recruit?OP - have you considered looking at becoming a patent attorney? I know a few engineers who have crossed over and used their engineering skills but also dealing with the legal issues.
Not sure about the definition of 'proper' firms being the ones that will pay for your training. There are a lot of great quality LPC students and graduates out there who have paid their own way but been unable to get a training contract thus far for one reason or another, and so the 'need' to pay training fees isn't really there at the moment (imho) because you can get great quality trainees without it.
Not sure about the definition of 'proper' firms being the ones that will pay for your training. There are a lot of great quality LPC students and graduates out there who have paid their own way but been unable to get a training contract thus far for one reason or another, and so the 'need' to pay training fees isn't really there at the moment (imho) because you can get great quality trainees without it.
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