Careers
When does the chase begin?
A general timetable of events to get a Training Contract
We think if you had a plan from day one attaining a Training Contract could be so much easier - we have created a guide of events over your degree to make sure you are doing the right things at the right time.
A lot of students that begin the law degree have the ambition of becoming Lawyers, however a combination of realisation of what the career entails and the academic demands can put people off.
The First Year
Term 1
It is most likely that apart from ongoing seminar preparation, around the middle of term you will have to consider coursework essays of some description. Don’t get caught out – plan the process to ensure you have enough time for each stage of your preparation.
Remember to leave sufficient time for research, writing your essay, accurate citations and footnotes, checking for spelling and grammatical errors, and your bibliography.
Term 2
Like the first term you will most likely have that mid-term coursework to concentrate on but towards the end of the term there will be those all important end of year exams!
Try to structure your revision early on to ensure you have enough time to cover as much as the syllabus as possible. You may have already joined a study group in your first term but if you haven’t by now it may be a good idea in order to throw ideas around with your peers and to chat through any things you don’t understand.
Remember that although your first year grades may not necessarily count to your overall degree classification, law firms will ask you to disclose these grades on your application forms for vacation placements and training contracts.
Firms don’t take kindly to laziness and if it looks as though you didn’t try to achieve a 2.1 in your first year this may be questioned in interview.
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The Second Year (Penultimate year for 4 year degree students)
Term 1
So, you’ve settled in to the course now. Despite a new range of subjects, you have begun to grasp an understanding of the law and how it is taught. You will have the usual mid-term coursework to prepare but you may wish to start thinking about enriching your CV with other relevant experience. It is never too early to start bulking up that CV so if you feel confident enough, why not start when as soon as you begin university?
A good university will generally have quite a few legal groups on offer for their students: a law society which provides information and socials for law students; a critical thinking group / debate society which builds on your analytical and presentation skills; a mooting society where you can try your hand at advocacy against your fellow students in a mock trial situation; law student reps, a body which represents the views of law students which can help build on your personal and organisational skills.
The choices are endless. Join one of these societies and get stuck in – it will show to prospective employers that you are not afraid to put yourself out there but also that you are willing to support your subject and eventual profession.
You will also need to begin researching the various law firms you would like to apply to to get a feel for the market. Make sure you attend any careers talks or fairs arranged by your university.
If they don’t organise their own, there are national legal careers fairs you can attend instead. These events are really useful to talk to individuals from different law firms based in a range of sectors and cities.
If you are applying for a training contract, most law firms are more keen to take on students who have either carried out unpaid work experience or a vacation placement.
Narrow down a list of firms of which you would like to target your applications. Then compile a timetable of application closing dates to ensure you deal with the right applications first to ensure you have sufficient time to apply to the firms you want. The deadline for most firms in around 31st January so bear this is mind when you embark on the application process.
Term 2
So you’ve got back from a lovely Christmas break but it’s no rest now. You may still be in the process of finalising those vacation placement application forms. If you have not managed to secure anything try applying for unpaid work experience. This sort of experience tends to be more flexible than an organised vacation scheme and may still allow you to get similar hands on experience.
Once the vacation placement deadline has passed it is already time to start thinking about those crucial training contract applications. The sooner you start your research the more relevant your application will appear.
You will also have a much better idea of what sort of firm may suit you and what sort of law is important to you. Most large firms’ deadlines for training contract applications fall in June or July, two years ahead of the start date (i.e. firms will be recruiting in 2010 for contracts starting in 2012).
It may seem a difficult task to juggle applications together with revision for your second year exams but if you divide your list into those you would like to apply to before and after your exams you should be able to manage!
The Final Year
So you’ve made it through two years of law, only another to go…before the next stage of your training! Hopefully you will have secured that all vital training contract and will be ready to consider the next stage – which Legal Practice Course (LPC) provider to choose.
There is general a lot of information available on the different Legal Practice Course (LPC) teaching institutions. Visit the website of a number of these to get a feel for the different teaching methods they use and so you have a better idea of which institution may suit your learning style more.
Do also bear in mind that if you have already secured a training contract, some firms may have exclusive agreements with certain training institutions and others may specify which institutions they would prefer you to attend. Make sure you are aware of this early on to avoid any faux pas!
Natalie Salunke
NQ Solicitor
21-09-2009
