Yes. I also wonder if once a firm sees someone as a paralegal it’s hard to go beyond that (like being in a sort of friend zone). I just think some firms will always have a bias for younger people who can get it first time. I don’t mean to be harsh, but how many paralegals set out to do that job? Again, it’s not a criticism of anyone who does it, but I just know some firms like S&M and FF seem to really like hiring people fresh out of university (I think US firms value real world experience more as it’s more work being a trainee at a US firm from what I’ve found). I’m 26 (still in this game because I can’t get anything right first time, or the second or the third or the fourth) and I often think long and hard before applying to firms. My pitch is essentially that I’m not the smartest (62% in my degree), but I’m good at making money, earning more than pretty much any trainee out there and law firms are businesses. It’s a stark reality, but you really do have to impress everyone, including GR who are the gateway to the Partners. Funnily enough, I got feedback from a VS that I basically just ignored the paralegals and the other Vac Schemers and wasn’t a team player. I’m not a team player: I took my exams as an individual and am now self-employed, but this is still an important quality. I’ve applied for firms with smaller intakes because I don’t like big groups and also I want a higher NQ salary without this being diluted and reduced by having loads of fellow NQs.