Hey, can anyone advise as to how many Forsters usually take from the direct TC route? I want to know if they will always look at the direct applicants or will they only be considered if they cannot pick the right candidates from VS? My preference is to try for as many direct TCs as I can this year given I have quite a lot of paralegal and VS experience already, but if the odds are against me, ofc, I would go for VS instead. Any insight from previous years would be greatly appreciated!
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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Jessica Booker
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Looks like historically most of their trainees comes from the VS but that they purposely keep a direct TC route open for those who cannot apply for VS:
Hi guys - apologies in advance if I'm posting this on the wrong thread! I originally posted this as a standalone thread, but didn't get any responses, so I thought it might be more useful to post in a busier thread.
I’m graduating from university in June, and although I’ve done well academically so far (I'm at a good university, and I've got good grades), it’s looking likely (for various reasons) that I’m not going to have a training contract at a commercial law firm lined up by the time I leave university.
I’m currently trying to work out what the best course of action is (immediately after graduation) if I don’t graduate with a training contract – at the moment, I’ve narrowed it down to two broad choices: (1) doing the SQE in some form, or (2) doing some work as a paralegal. Obviously, with either option (1) or (2), I’ll be applying to firms for vacation schemes and/or training contracts at the same time as working/studying (as the case may be).
Out of these two options, what would you guys say would be the best thing to do, in order to be in the best position in which I can be vis-à-vis future vac scheme/training contract applications?
Also, would you say that it’s advisable to do at the SQE (at least in some form) in order to even be able to land a paralegal role at a decent firm (and if so, would it be enough to just do the SQE1 in the short term, rather than the whole SQE1&2 LLM option)?
If I don’t graduate with a training contract, then in an ideal world, I’d quite like to do some work as a paralegal after graduation (not least because the various SQE options, if self-funded, are quite expensive!), but I thought it best to get the benefit of your advice.
If you can give any pointers, I’d be really grateful!
@Jessica Booker @Jaysen
I’m graduating from university in June, and although I’ve done well academically so far (I'm at a good university, and I've got good grades), it’s looking likely (for various reasons) that I’m not going to have a training contract at a commercial law firm lined up by the time I leave university.
I’m currently trying to work out what the best course of action is (immediately after graduation) if I don’t graduate with a training contract – at the moment, I’ve narrowed it down to two broad choices: (1) doing the SQE in some form, or (2) doing some work as a paralegal. Obviously, with either option (1) or (2), I’ll be applying to firms for vacation schemes and/or training contracts at the same time as working/studying (as the case may be).
Out of these two options, what would you guys say would be the best thing to do, in order to be in the best position in which I can be vis-à-vis future vac scheme/training contract applications?
Also, would you say that it’s advisable to do at the SQE (at least in some form) in order to even be able to land a paralegal role at a decent firm (and if so, would it be enough to just do the SQE1 in the short term, rather than the whole SQE1&2 LLM option)?
If I don’t graduate with a training contract, then in an ideal world, I’d quite like to do some work as a paralegal after graduation (not least because the various SQE options, if self-funded, are quite expensive!), but I thought it best to get the benefit of your advice.
If you can give any pointers, I’d be really grateful!
@Jessica Booker @Jaysen
Hey,
I am not sure if you’re a law grad, but speaking from my own experience, and that of others I know, you can certainly get paralegal experience without the SQE. You can prove your commitment to a legal career in other ways (uni events, shadowing experience etc). You may need to start out in “less desirable” roles (fixed term or context review positions) before progressing to the bigger firms. It can be quite challenging to get your foot in the door but once you do get the first bit of paralegal experience on your CV, it becomes much easier. It took me a while to get there as I am a 2020 grad. For me, I did not see the benefit of paying for the SQE course myself when every firm I am applying to will fund it for me and for the most part, do not see not having the SQE as a disadvantage. When going for TCs, law firms like to see experience which is why I’ve focused my efforts on gaining experience. I also think it can help develop you into a better candidate by having that first person experience in a law firm. It has massively helped my confidence at least! Hope that helps and happy to chat!
Did you not even get a rejection email? I think I'm in the same boat. Such bad practice if thats the case!
I'd try for a mix, honestly. There's a range of opportunities available. I've seen people get straight TCs. They have not always had experience. Look at where firms hire from. Some will want Vac Scheme students. Others will take you without one. The legal clinic can help IMO. That can help with 'why law'? Use other experiences for 'why commercial/corporate?'. Best of luck with your applications.
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