I have a place at UCL to study the LLM this year but after a Vac Scheme at an international law firm, I have also been given the opportunity to paralegal at that firm, with the view of applying for a TC with them after one year.

Now I am really stumped on what I should do. Obviously, the LLM was a dream of mine for a while but my end goal has always been to qualify as a solicitor so I can't help thinking that the paralegal route would give me some valuable experience.

anyone been in a similar situation or have some advice they could offer?

[Edited by Lostt on Aug 09, 2019]

Hello.

I dunno if it will help, here is my opinion.

1) you have to decide if that paralegal opportunity will make you work with people you dream of working and if the llm is ur dream program and dream school.

You should know by now that not all lawyers are created equally and working with the wrong group might work against you and will not develop you as a solicitor. If this is the case... better take the LLM...

If the paralegal stint will make you work with those you dream of working with and learning from. LLM can wait. There are some tips and tricks you will only learn from working closely with an individual and this will develop you professionally.

2) Stop and declutter your mind. Knowing yourself.. which one is best for you?
Sometimes. Its better to take LLM first because you might get too busy when you stary working and forget all about it. LLM takes time and money.. you might have money when you are working already... but not the time.

Sometimes. Its better to get experience first because we often dont know what we really want when we are new to the profession, and only later on realize the specific field we truly want to specialize in.... much later.

[Edited by Iya on Aug 11, 2019]

An LLM won't really get you any close to qualifying as a solicitor. The paralegal --> training contract route would probably be a more efficient method of meeting that goal.

However if you wanted to specialize in a particular field of law and the LLM would help you skill up in this sense (for instance, tax law), then this is a possibility. This would add time onto your journey, though.