Alternative careers

Are you?

• A law student who does not want to pursue a legal career?
• Frustrated and disappointed at not getting a training contract or pupillage?
• Unsure of your career options and what you have to offer?
• Wanting to find out more about 'other' careers?

Then read on...

You may know that there is an oversupply of law and non-law graduates wishing to enter the legal profession - but it's not all bad news. Law graduates have always been resourceful in exploring and entering other areas of work and in 1999 29% of LLB graduates entered other types of employment on graduation.

What you need to do is consider the three Rs:

• Realistically examine your skills, interests, personality and ambitions.
• Research thoroughly all your options.
• Realise your potential.

Some words of encouragement

Quotes from 1996 law graduates working in other areas illustrate the point.

Take off the blinkers - there are a host of career paths to take that are equally rewarding.

Be individual, have the courage of your own convictions - don't be afraid.

Don't feel a failure if you don't pursue the law.

Get off the conveyor belt mentality.

What skills do law graduates have?

A recent survey produced the following list of skills that you will have:

• Researching/analytical
• Problem solving
• Communication, both written and oral
• Ability to handle large amounts of written material
• Negotiation
• Attention to detail
• Memory
• Logical argument
• A 'holistic' approach

There are others. See how many you can add to the list, for example advisory and advocacy skills.

So what other career paths are open to you?

The world is your oyster - though it may not feel like that right now! But please don't feel restricted by the following examples.

Legal experience

Paralegals; outdoor clerks; legal assistants

These are essentially clerical/research support positions in private practice, local authorities and industry.

Research assistants

The Law Commission recruits a number of graduates a year on law reform projects. Or you can work within universities or other research institutes/organisations.

GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistants)

Research (PhD) students paid to undertake some teaching in university departments.

Voluntary advice work

Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Law Centres; the former may lead to training as an advice worker.

'Stages'

Temporary placements (six months) in the European institutions.

Other legal professions

Legal executives

Legal executives may be found in all legal environments, especially private practice and local authorities. They become well qualified in a particular area of the law, such as property, probate or litigation. Careers as legal executives are often attractive to graduates who don't want to be a solicitor/barrister, but it is still possible to qualify through this route.

Licensed conveyancers

These professionals operate mainly in the property area but may give advice on probate and related litigation.

Other relevant areas

Administration

Company secretary/administration in industry and commerce are one set of options. Or you could work in the public sector. This includes Government departments like the Home Office, the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Houses of Parliament; or local government such as the Chief Executive's Department. You could also consider higher education and health services and authorities.

Research/analytical

This covers many areas of work such as: information management, law libraries (private practice/education), legal publishing (editorial, sales and marketing), computer-based information systems for lawyers, legal journalism (perhaps also after qualification), and management consultancy.

Community advisory/regulatory work

This can include: social work (including the Probation Service), advice centres (CAB, housing, equal opportunities, disability, etc), the police, customs and excise (tax and VAT), the Immigration Service and trading standards/consumer advice.

Teaching

Law teaching is mainly centred in further and higher education and may require a higher degree or PGCE (FE) or, in the case of professional (BVC/LPC) courses, a legal professional qualification and experience.

Finance

The finance sector is particularly keen on law graduates' skills. Areas of work include: chartered accountancy, taxation work (with accountants - but also Inland Revenue), insurance companies/brokers including loss/average adjusting, the banking sector (commercial and merchant, eg fund management, securities, and so on), and law costs draftsmen (setting costs of litigation).

Human resources management

All companies, large and small, have a human resources department. This includes large solicitors' practices. There are also specialist legal recruitment agencies, but these often require work experience in the legal field first.

Richard Lidwell:

Careers Adviser, University of Oxford

All available from your careers service

• AGCAS information booklets
• Professional Institute's literature
• Survey of 1996 Law Graduates in Careers other than the Law - AGCAS/ LCAN
• Employer files/directories, etc
• Prospects Planner - an occupational interest guide
• LCAN website - The Law Careers Advice Network -www.lcan.csu.ac.uk

If you want to know more about any of the careers featured here then visit your careers service. They have a wealth of information on thousands of jobs and careers, and staff will be able to advise you on what to do next.

They have a wealth of information on thousands of jobs and careers, and staff will be able to advise you on what to do next.