Hiya
@Lastseasonwonder
Wanted to add some more suggestions in addition to the great advice that you've already received on here.
First, I just want to say you're definitely not alone in feeling stuck at this stage. Over the past year, I've met many capable candidates finding themselves in similar situations post-graduation. I'm also sorry to hear that you're feeling burnt out. Hoping you can find a way around that in the upcoming cycle. While many candidates see paralegal as the default next step, it’s not always the most strategic one. Although highly specific practice area experience can help, it's not necessary and securing/enduring these roles can be. exhausting.
- Consider alternative roles that build relevant skills: You don’t need to be a paralegal to get a TC. Roles in compliance, legal tech, business development, or operations (either within law firms or adjacent sectors) can help you build exactly the sort of skills that firms are looking for at the TC application stage. Similarly, roles at regulators, in research, or in high-responsibility admin positions often offer client exposure and project work. What matters is evidence of growth and transferable experience. These jobs may also be far more helpful in allowing you to have the time to prepare applications, and to avoid feeling burnt out (which is mostly what I'm worried about). That said, paralegal roles can be useful when they give you exposure to quality legal work, the chance to build relationships with lawyers, or the ability to apply internally. If you’re applying to firms that hire their paralegals into TCs or that value sustained legal experience, then it may be worth pursuing, but only if it leaves you with enough headspace to build a strong application cycle alongside it.
- Doing an LLM: I've already mentioned this, but doing an LLM is not a requirement for a TC (and in most cases that I've seen, it won’t meaningfully strengthen your application). The few times I've seen it make a difference are when the LLM is highly specialised and directly aligned with the kind of firm or practice you’re targeting (e.g. IP or maritime focussed LLMs). Otherwise, there's a risk of investing a lot of time and money into something that won’t move the needle. That said, an LLM may give you more breathing room to focus on subjects you're genuinely interested in and could give you more room to prepare well drafted applications during your degree, but this is still a very costly way to achieve that "breathing room".
Hope this isn't rehashing anything you might already know, but definitely don't hesitate to post here if you have any other questions or need any help with the application process. Hang in there
@Lastseasonwonder 🙏
