TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Izzy1026]

Wouldn’t lose hope just yet. Someone told me yesterday that they have yet to do their VI. Might be different this year

Thank you for the encouragement. I hope tomorrow or next week can bring some good news to our inboxes 🤞

 

[RonRod13]

Bit of a mini rant here that I feel like others can relate to - but why is it so darn hard to get a TC ?! I understand that getting a job in today's market is difficult no matter what field you are in , but it seems like these days so many people are applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is what it is, but i'm genuinely curious about why there seem to be a billion people (and it seems to be more each year) that are trying to get into commercial law - and obviously there isn't enough room for everybody. So, does anyone know why everyone and their mother wants a training contract?!

TLDR: it all comes down to money...

Basically, things have gotten so stratospherically expensive within the past 2 or 3 years to the point that if you're not in a position like banking/ consultancy/ commerical law/ entrepreneur etc. you will find yourself struggling on an average entry level salary especially if you dont have the luxury of living with parents.

This is also coupled with much more international competition since there has been a massive increase in the number of international students being accepted into universities. This is because unis are esentially being forced to take on more internationals since they pay more tuition fees compared to domestic students and unis need to keep up with their own rising costs.

And, many law firms are reducing their intake to save on costs especially as most of them keep putting up salaries and need to fund this cost by taking on less trainees.

 

[lawyerletsgo]

did my VI last week for WFW - should i be worried no AC invite? also got BCLP PFO

 

[therealslimshady]

Given the competitive legal market, what alternative careers are law graduates considering?

 

[Sarah.lyon]

After some advice please - there's a couple of direct training contract applications still open until later this month that I'm interested in. I've not had enough time to research/prepare as much as I'd like so trying to weigh up whether it's worth rushing an application now or just waiting until applications re-open in September. Is there any harm in submitting an application that isn't the best i.e would it reflect poorly on me in the next application cycle?

 

[Jessica Booker]

It seems that the paralegal market has fell off a cliff though.

Summer is generally bad for paralegal roles. It will likely pick up in September.

Think it is also general retention of more paralegals in roles though, in part where some are looking to qualify via paralegal roles and then because there aren’t as many people moving from role to role.

 

[A worried graduate]

Summer is generally bad for paralegal roles. It will likely pick up in September.

Think it is also general retention of more paralegals in roles though, in part where some are looking to qualify via paralegal roles and then because there aren’t as many people moving from role to role.

What would you advise that I focus on at this moment as a grad?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Really rough knowing people are just applying for the money when you know this is what you want to do

 

[A worried graduate]

Really rough knowing people are just applying for the money when you know this is what you want to do

People who are going for everything get caught out in the end so don't worry

 

[hehostressed]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson and Rpc

 

[Lawyering13]

Do you get notified if you passed Macs SJT, and if so, when?

 

[Jmk]

TLDR: it all comes down to money...

Basically, things have gotten so stratospherically expensive within the past 2 or 3 years to the point that if you're not in a position like banking/ consultancy/ commerical law/ entrepreneur etc. you will find yourself struggling on an average entry level salary especially if you dont have the luxury of living with parents.

This is also coupled with much more international competition since there has been a massive increase in the number of international students being accepted into universities. This is because unis are esentially being forced to take on more internationals since they pay more tuition fees compared to domestic students and unis need to keep up with their own rising costs.

And, many law firms are reducing their intake to save on costs especially as most of them keep putting up salaries and need to fund this cost by taking on less trainees.

Can you provide a source saying universities are taking more international students?

 

[jenwantsatc]

Can you provide a source saying universities are taking more international students?

I'm also interested to understand what @RonRod13 what you meant by "more international competition" - just because there are supposedly more international students at UK universities, why does this translate to more competition for training contracts?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Bit of a mini rant here that I feel like others can relate to - but why is it so darn hard to get a TC ?! I understand that getting a job in today's market is difficult no matter what field you are in , but it seems like these days so many people are applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is what it is, but i'm genuinely curious about why there seem to be a billion people (and it seems to be more each year) that are trying to get into commercial law - and obviously there isn't enough room for everybody. So, does anyone know why everyone and their mother wants a training contract?!

There are lots of non-law students becoming interested in law which has increased competition for training contracts/vac schemes - some useful stats - Source: Chambers Student 2023

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

reasons not to leave submitting your application until deadline day: you can’t predict a microsoft outage fml

 

[RonRod13]

Can you provide a source saying universities are taking more international students?

Here’s a couple:

International students boosted UK economy by £42bn in 2021/2 – study | International students | The Guardian

Report finds economic benefit to UK rose by a third in three years, making overseas students a significant contributor to economy

amp.theguardian.com

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7976/CBP-7976.pdf

 

[RonRod13]

I'm also interested to understand what @RonRod13 what you meant by "more international competition" - just because there are supposedly more international students at UK universities, why does this translate to more competition for training contracts?

You’re right, correlation doesn’t imply causation. But there’s been a sharp increase (more than double) in overall interest in UK jobs. This is also coupled with a large increase in internationals switching to work visas. Now, obviously not every single one of these students or workers are going to be interested in law but you can make a reasonable assumption that the number of international applicants are increasing nonetheless and id say there’s strong enough evidence out there to conclude that there is a causal link.

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Has anyone heard from Fried Frank after first stage interview and commercial exercise?

 

[legallybrunette8]

Just got a call from Eversheds for their AC! Surprised bc I completed their VI when I was super ill 😭

 

[Sharon Wu]

Just got a called from Eversheds for their AC! Surprised bc I completed their VI when I was super ill 😭

I've not even heard back post app, lol...
I must be in the PFO pile...
Ah well, you win some, you loose some