What else can I do with my Law Degree? Investigating Careers beyond Law. Kay Barbour Careers Adviser

Transcription

1 What else can I do with my Law Degree? Investigating Careers beyond Law Kay Barbour Careers Adviser

2 What I m going to cover What Edinburgh law graduates have done in the past A flavour of labour market news Some ideas for where a law degree would be useful in the workplace Any discipline jobs Getting started on planning your career How the Careers Service can help you Law career planning website and blog

3 Shaping your career path.

4 You re developing Graduate Attributes! In addition to knowledge of the law, you develop a range of other skills valued by employers: research using range of sources, incl. verbal questioning; evaluation & ability to interpret/explain complex information; analysis, reasoning and critical judgement; formulate sound arguments; lateral thinking/problem-solving ability to write concisely; confident and persuasive oral communication; attention to detail & ability to draft formal documents FLAC; moots; case studies; group-work and presentations

5 Qualification routes Scotland LLB/Grad LLB PEAT 1 - Diploma 1 academic yr or p/t over 2 Bridges gap between theory - practice Entry based on grades in early years LLB Valid for 2+ years Largely self-funded PEAT 2 - Traineeship 2 year period of work-based training Final stage in qualification route Includes 60 hours TCPD England/Wales First Degree (Scots Law = non-law ) Conversion Course (GDL/CPE) I academic yr Up to 50% exemption for Scots LLB Enables p/t or distance learning LPC Legal Practice Certificate 6 m 1 yr (bespoke by big firms) Bridges gap between theory - practice Conversion/LPC funded by firms Training Contract 2 year period of work-based training Final stage in qualification route Inc. Professional Skills Course

6 Can you return to law if you decide not to do Diploma after LLB? Can decide to apply for Diploma at later date. Degree does not have a validity period, but Diploma does However, some universities/employers may be concerned if you spend a long amount of time away from the legal profession, without keeping up with your knowledge of law in some way? N.B. fees for Diploma may change and there may be more or less competition for the Diploma/Traineeships

7 Where do our Diploma graduates go? 130 students reported being in employment 6 months after graduating from Diploma in 2012 Over 30 different law firms and organisations had recruited trainees from CPLS 45 entered professions/roles beyond law

8 Law Lecturer, Edinburgh College Investment Analyst, Standard Life Case Worker, UK Border Agency Fraud Analyst, Lloyds TSB Police, Strathclyde Police College Vice Principal, Academy of Music and Sound Energy Manager, Scotland s Rural College Senior Advice Worker, Granton Information Centre Risk Analyst, RBS Policy Officer, Scottish Government Investment Analyst, Morgan Stanley Sub-editor, The Scotsman

9 What have Edinburgh LLB graduates do (known destinations)? 68% further study 29% into employment 2% Time out 1% still seeking Other graduate destinations beyond law include: LLB Hons figures surveyed six months after graduation.

10 2012 job roles Paralegal, Shell International Tax Advisor, KPMG Commercial Manager, Marks and Spencer Legal Assistant, Scottish Law Commission IT Consultant, Unilever Business Relationship Manager,Bank of Scotland Fiscal Officer, Crown Office Consultant, Deloitte (Ski resort manager, stage technician, language instructor)

11 Range of further study courses Diploma in Legal Practice Law Conversion Course (GDL) LLMs - European, Medical, International, Commercial MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice MA - Creative Writing Masters in International relations PGDE History and more!

12 Jobs where a Law degree is useful (examples) Financial work - Accountancy, Banking, Risk, Insurance, Pensions, Tax Policy & administration - Civil Service, Charities, Think Tanks, HE, NHS, Legal - libraries, journalism, publishing, research, recruitment Advisory work - debt, housing, employment, welfare, education immigration, discrimination (Citizens Advice; Local Authorities) Applying the law in practice - Police, Probation, Fraud, Social and Criminal Justice work, Trading Standards Regulatory work - Health & Safety, FSA, HMRC, Patent agency Human Resources work - equality & diversity, employment law, recruitment & contracts of employment etc

13 Specialisms Legal Aid/ pro bono International Law Europe Opportunities in human rights Information on the website: >Options>occupations>legal services>specialisms

14 More than 50% of all graduate vacancies do not ask for a specific degree discipline Degree sought: Any degree (SAGE)

15 SAGE STATISTICS to Graduate jobs: 47% increase Internships and vacation jobs: 40% increase

16 Transferable Skills Valued by many employers. These include: research - using a range of sources, including questioning ability to interpret and explain complex information analytical skills; reasoning and critical judgement ability to formulate sound arguments; lateral thinking and problem-solving ability to write concisely; confident and persuasive oral communication attention to detail and the ability to draft formal documents Perception of law as tough subject but still vital to articulate strengths clearly and state full range of skills you can offer! (Source: Prospects.ac.uk/Options with your subject)

17 Summary options and decisions Qualification Lawyer v Alternatives What are the alternatives? Use your subject - applying the law/regulatory work/advisory/social and criminal justice Use your subject indirectly - HR, Finance, Media Avoid your subject! - 50% graduate recruiters take any discipline What is your next step? Do your research! Seek Employment/Experience Further study Time out