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<blockquote data-quote="Alison C" data-source="post: 107710" data-attributes="member: 3943"><p>I am a non-law grad career changer. I did the GDL and it's enabled me to work as a paralegal, though honestly, I feel I could have done the work without the qualification (I just wouldn't have been offered it). My point is that with a solid career behind you, the transition won't be as tricky as it might have been had you not had that experience.</p><p></p><p>It's really important to look at what is best for your particular needs. I am relatively academic and while I did consider CILEX, it didn't appeal when I was looking at how the change would work for me. I felt I needed to move on more quickly and kick start my change. When I started my GDL, the SQE was a mere whisper that people (ie U Law tutors) were hoping would retreat.</p><p></p><p>I have a background in education and am not (yet) convinced that the SQE will be ironed out for some time. I have seen much educational change in my career and recognise that radical shifts take a while to filter through the system, by which point any damage has already been done. In the longer term, no one yet knows what kind of solicitors it will turn out and whether the skills base will be effective. The profession is competitive enough without that issue holding up the very people this was supposed to enable - ie those who don't have the access (to sought-after TCs and funded studying) that privilege brings. Based on wanting to be the best solicitor you can be, CILEX has high standards already in place. Given that CILEX is tried and tested, it actually looks like a pretty good bet</p><p></p><p>I think that many apprenticeships require you to be non-tertiary educated, so you may not be eligible though I did see a video somewhere recently showing an Exeter graduate taking that route (sorry can't remember which firm - possibly Ashurst??). I could be wrong, and maybe this will change in the future, but apprenticeships still have a slight reputation of being something for those who couldn't, or didn't, access university.</p><p></p><p>If you already know that your mental health is something you need to be more forgiving toward, flexibility and a longer route, while earning, sounds a really good solution. I think I had a chat with Freeths when I was looking at the CILEX route, and they are a really supportive and diverse firm that may do work in the areas that interest you. There are bound to be others.</p><p></p><p>Other resources not mentioned above (I agree with all those, and you've found TCLA - hoorah) that I've dipped into include:</p><p>- Jake Schogger's Commercial Law Academy (which is more Sainsbury's than Waitrose; some really great materials and free webinars),</p><p>- blogs such as Success with Steph, Joe Mallet, Little Law, Strive, Let's Chat Law;</p><p>- podcasts such as BBC Business Matters; Wake up to money; FT news briefing; Economist; etc etc</p><p>Also before I took the plunge, I spoke with a number of people from the Aspiring Solicitors career changer section - you don't have to be a full member to do that. By the way, Aspiring Solicitors and others such as SEO are great if you happen to be state school educated and/or tick other diversity boxes than being a 'non-traditional' entrant.</p><p></p><p>Hang on in there, and well done for asking questions that people here like to answer!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Alison C, post: 107710, member: 3943"] I am a non-law grad career changer. I did the GDL and it's enabled me to work as a paralegal, though honestly, I feel I could have done the work without the qualification (I just wouldn't have been offered it). My point is that with a solid career behind you, the transition won't be as tricky as it might have been had you not had that experience. It's really important to look at what is best for your particular needs. I am relatively academic and while I did consider CILEX, it didn't appeal when I was looking at how the change would work for me. I felt I needed to move on more quickly and kick start my change. When I started my GDL, the SQE was a mere whisper that people (ie U Law tutors) were hoping would retreat. I have a background in education and am not (yet) convinced that the SQE will be ironed out for some time. I have seen much educational change in my career and recognise that radical shifts take a while to filter through the system, by which point any damage has already been done. In the longer term, no one yet knows what kind of solicitors it will turn out and whether the skills base will be effective. The profession is competitive enough without that issue holding up the very people this was supposed to enable - ie those who don't have the access (to sought-after TCs and funded studying) that privilege brings. Based on wanting to be the best solicitor you can be, CILEX has high standards already in place. Given that CILEX is tried and tested, it actually looks like a pretty good bet I think that many apprenticeships require you to be non-tertiary educated, so you may not be eligible though I did see a video somewhere recently showing an Exeter graduate taking that route (sorry can't remember which firm - possibly Ashurst??). I could be wrong, and maybe this will change in the future, but apprenticeships still have a slight reputation of being something for those who couldn't, or didn't, access university. If you already know that your mental health is something you need to be more forgiving toward, flexibility and a longer route, while earning, sounds a really good solution. I think I had a chat with Freeths when I was looking at the CILEX route, and they are a really supportive and diverse firm that may do work in the areas that interest you. There are bound to be others. Other resources not mentioned above (I agree with all those, and you've found TCLA - hoorah) that I've dipped into include: - Jake Schogger's Commercial Law Academy (which is more Sainsbury's than Waitrose; some really great materials and free webinars), - blogs such as Success with Steph, Joe Mallet, Little Law, Strive, Let's Chat Law; - podcasts such as BBC Business Matters; Wake up to money; FT news briefing; Economist; etc etc Also before I took the plunge, I spoke with a number of people from the Aspiring Solicitors career changer section - you don't have to be a full member to do that. By the way, Aspiring Solicitors and others such as SEO are great if you happen to be state school educated and/or tick other diversity boxes than being a 'non-traditional' entrant. Hang on in there, and well done for asking questions that people here like to answer! [/QUOTE]
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