What’s Next? A Brief Career Guide

While many of us are grappling with our uni work, the over reaching concern many students will have is ‘What’s next?’. After we complete our degrees (hopefully with a first) we set off into the big world and look to start a career. However, what are our options? Imagine you have your shiny new law degree, but you have not a single clue as to what you would like to do. In this blog, come along with the law society and explore what the legal world has to offer and beyond.

Let me start with saying it is completely ok to not know what you want to do, whether a first year or fourth (although fourth years should probably hurry up now). One interesting statistic produced by The Law Society of Scotland is that 50% of law students continue to pursue a career as a Scottish solicitor while 50% pursue alternative careers.

Therefore, lets start with what are some of your options within the legal sector?

In Scotland you can continue to qualify as a solicitor but also explore the option of becoming an advocate - the equivalent of a barrister in the England.

Let’s explore the life of a solicitor:

• As a solicitor you will provide support and expert legal advice to clients which can be individuals, corporate companies or public sector organisations. You will take on your client’s problems and help achieve the best possible outcome for them.

• You can begin your career with a training contract in a law firm (make sure to keep up to date on our instagram for our partner law firm events) where you will have the opportunity to explore the different areas of law. Law firms specialise in specific areas of law, by going to open days and online events you will have the opportunity to gain an insight into these firms and if you are interested in the work they do.

• One career route that is sometimes overlooked is the work of legal counsel. Many companies and financial service industry firms look for law students to enter into their legal departments. For example, Ernest & Young over a graduate scheme to law students. For some, work in a law firm may not be suitable, but maybe working for a company you are passionate about is the pathway for you.

You may also find the role of a conveyancer appealing. Licensed conveyancers specialise in the legal aspects of buying and selling property - I’m thinking of a Selling Sunset and Suits mash-up.

Let’s explore the life of an advocate:

As an advocate you will focus on court work conducting either defence or prosecution work

Moreover, you will act as an independent lawyer, meaning you can be self-employed giving you more control over the work you do.

Advocates prepare and present cases at court, usually received from solicitors.

Some alternative roles you can undertake in the legal sector suggested by the Law Society of Scotland are civil service, parliament and politics, legal publishing and recruitment, police, public policy, international institutions, and charities. Take some time to explore some of these and see whether these options interest you.

What about the other 50%? What are some of your options outside the legal sector?

Being a law student means you have or will develop a set of transferrable skills that will make you an appealing candidate in many fields. Some of these skills include problem solving, communication, managing time effectively (especially this one!) and reaching decisions quickly.

Here are some career paths for you to explore:

• Banking and finance:

  • Many banks and financial firms do not have specific degree requirements. As a law student you have an incredible set of transferrable skills these firms are looking for.

• Consultancy Firms:

  • With your understanding of the law, you will bring a unique perspective to consultancy work where you will have the opportunity to merge you legal prowess with business knowledge.

• Analyst:

  • The research and writing element of your degree will come to life. Analysing data or information and being able to present this clearly is something law students can do and what analysts do. The work you do will depend on what type of analyst you are, for example an economy analyst will focus on data sets and trends.

I hope you found this blog helpful and it allows you start thinking more of your career and helps you find the path for you!

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