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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alison C" data-source="post: 119823" data-attributes="member: 3943">Hi hi - I'm a career changer too and was under the naive impression that this would be almost universally seen as an asset. I'd been steeped in a diverse field for many years. Most HR's and training partners are naturally very risk-averse, but you sound as if what you are doing has some commercial elements, which is bankable.I'm hearing that you feel the need to explore more fully.  A good place to start is by approaching some of the Career Change Ambassadors on the Aspiring Solicitors (AS) website, who are happy to chat about their journeys to a range of firms. You don't need to tick all the diversity boxes to do that - but if you do, then AS and other organisations such as Rare, SEO and some others will be helpful to you in making your decisions - they run events and programmes which will help you to differentiate between firms. You can also easily do things like watching court proceedings online/at the RCJ and there are masses of events from eg LawCareers.Net, Bright Network, Legal Cheek - who even have regular career changer panel events but usually in summer. Because you're looking at making the switch early, you should be fine, but what you don't want is another unfulfilling route. So you are absolutely right to do some research, but this may take rather longer/more energy than you'd anticipated so starting early is a great strategy.You asked for horror stories - I don't have any of those but, several years post-GDL and now successfully working as a paralegal, amazed as to how it's so difficult for firms to see the fundamental importance of genuine diversity of thought to a successful business, at the entry-level. I have a strong CV and extensive transferable skills but it's been far from easy, and it's not a level playing field.A VS is closer to gold dust than you'd think but can only be of help to get to know the marketplace, so do apply and see how the process feels.  I did get a summer VS, but in the end they went with younger, less unusual candidates. As I say, hiring teams like what they know - or what they think 'diversity' looks like.  The direct TC's often close later so if you don't win that prize you still have time to find your feet.Shearman used to do a really helpful 'Re-Start' career changer open day in November/December so keep an eye out for that too, though you'd have missed their Christmas VS by then if they are a target firm for you. That's the only specific event I found, but many firms are receptive in theory, it's just a question of finding the right match.With carefully targeted applications you could do really well.  Your timing sounds excellent (the summer and you are in your twenties) and you are in a good place on the TCLA forum. If you put 'career changer' and similar into the search bar (top right) you will find some discussions that may help.Maybe discreetly start researching some of the firms your current employer uses?If you are in a position to pay for the TCLA premium resources, they really are excellent and there are often discount codes to help out.Good luck and welcome!</blockquote>

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