Keywords
Practice Area
Recruiter Type
Traineeships/Placements
Search Jobs

Direct Employers

 

Consultancies

The Journal

English criminal bar threatens to strike over legal aid payments
88% prepared to refuse instructions to attend court

No early changes to HSBC Scots panel despite England concession
CQS-accredited solicitors now to be accepted south of border

Bypass appellant secures protective costs order
Aberdeen appeal set for Supreme Court hearing in July

Justice Committee seeks more action on SLC reports
Letter to MacAskill proposes use of "committee bill" procedure

Celebrated appellant Cadder walks free after retrial collapses
Essential witness admits inability to identify attacker

"Deferred prosecution agreements" proposed for errant companies
UK ministers consult on new way to tackle economic crime

SLAB extends child code of practice response deadline
Move follows delay to new Children's Hearings Act

Reported hate crime on rise, says Crown Office
Race, religion and sexual orientation figures all at new highs

National Library Bill passed
Measure to modernise NLS governance set for royal assent

Salmond may get his way over referendum date
Prime Minister says "not fussed" over when poll is held

Welfare Reform Bill recommended for stage 1 approval
Committee backs measure aimed at softening blow of UK cuts

Faculty combines free services units
Free Legal Services Unit to take in Free Representation Unit

Bankruptcy changes threaten the poorest, say insolvency specialists
ICAS and R3 warn of "trap" for debtors in proposed long term agreements

LSEW cites diversity as pro-marriage conference cancelled
Organisers angered by refusal to honour premises booking

Judges rule on explaining "balance of probabilities"
No definition needed, but jury should be told that lower standard of proof

Alcohol minimum price to be set at 50p per unit
Ministers uprate 2010 45p proposal for inflation

Another £10m seized as proceeds of crime last year
£7m in confiscation orders and £3.5m civil recovery secured

Final Council places filled after poll
Ken Dalling and John Mulholland returned for Stirling, Falkirk & Alloa

Conference seeks to "embed" ADR in justice system
Society, Government and mediators join to explore potential

House price "reality gap" widening: report
Last quarter sales average 10% below asking price

Explore Your Options

I have no idea what I want to do.

Don’t worry – you are not alone! Many students have no fixed ideas about what they want to do when they start their degree and even if they do, this can often change by the time they graduate. Part of the process of career planning is taking the time to explore your options at each stage of the route to qualification.

Around 50% of those who embark on the LLB go on to qualify as a solicitor, which means that 50% move into other fields. Making the decision as to whether to pursue a career in the law or move into another area is a difficult choice and it is a good idea to think carefully about all the options open to you before pursuing a particular path.

You may find it helpful to discuss your options with someone else. If you are currently at school or university consider booking an appointment with your careers adviser. Many universities also offer an alumni service for graduates, so even if you have finished university you may still be able to meet with a specialist careers adviser for some advice. A careers adviser won’t tell you what you should do – it’s your decision after all – but will be able to offer advice around career planning, the application process and the recruitment market.

Summer placements and work shadowing can also be invaluable at giving you a sense of what it is like to work in a particular field so take as many opportunities as possible to research possible career options. This website also has information about a career in law, working as a solicitor in-house, and alternative careers outwith the legal profession. If you wish to find out about qualifying as an advocate, visit www.advocates.or.uk

 

Return to 'Planning Your Career'