Sitting Fe1s as a change of career

Numero

Think this is the right place to post this, if not let me know and I'll move it.
I just need some outside perspective. I'm having a third-life crisis perhaps!
I have always wanted to be a solicitor but for many reasons i didn't go that route.

I'm now in my mid thirties, have a career and a family but recently I have been thinking non-stop of doing the fe1s and training as a solicitor. I have no illusions on how grim the apprenticeship market it. In fact my biggest fear is that I am old (er) than the new graduates, I've been working years, how on earth will I compete?
Am I at an even greater disadvantage trying to obtain a training contract than the youthful graduates??

The fear of throwing away everything just to be disappointed and not succeed is frightening. But i just cannot let go of the desire to follow this career.

Any opinions welcome. Thank you.

Dandelion6

I sat my FE1s in my late 30s, secured apprenticeship in early 40s, qualified last year at age 44 and I was by no means the oldest person at Blackhall.

DubDrummer

Obviously, you have responsibilities and will need to consider very carefully what is best in your own position, however, it seems as though this is a desire you would do well to listen to. If you feel so strongly about this change it would be folly not to give it a shot provided you have a good support structure behind you. I would be one to say, "follow your dreams" but perspective is priceless.
I am in my late 30's and have passed 6 fe1s and looking to pass the last 2 this time around. I found it very difficult to get back into the world of study after so many years away from academia but it's doable. Most importantly, I think you should fish around in any legal circles you may have access to and see what the lay of the land is with regard to apprenticeships. Passing the fe1s is all very well, but without a firm or practice willing you take you on it's moot. It may mean working for less than peanuts and spending hours a day studying to pass and get a place in Blackhall.
Start applying for interviews everywhere now even before sitting the exams and impress them with your burning desire and aptitude and they might take you on as a good prospect even without the exams. This will also give you an idea about which area you might like to specialise in if you are unsure right now.
I wish you the best...

notabasicb

If you can secure a TC with a top firm the salary is very good. Have a look and see how it compares to what you are earning now. If you are willing to take the gamble then maybe adopt the following approach - although perhaps not for faint hearted.

The top firms have just opened their internship applications. I know an internship might seem and probably is beneath your experience to date but you are going to have to swallow some pride if this is what you really want.

The internships are the best way to get a TC. The firms hire a large proportion off the programmes and even if you do not get a TC from that experience you will now have some legal experience on your CV.

It may seem ludicrous but what about saving your annual leave from work this year and using it to take part in an internship scheme?

Even filling out the forms and interviewing will give you a big insight into the industry and what is expected of you. Don't be discouraged by your age. You will have valuable experience new graduates won't. All skills are transferable.

Obviously the approach above is mainly focused on the larger firms - if it is a smaller practice you want to train in then start exploiting any connections you may have. Although training in a smaller firm will invariably not be as comfortable financially.

notabasicb

Also I would try to secure a training contract before sitting FE1s. Hard to do but would be the ideal position.

NoQuarter

What is your current career OP? Could it be transferrable or is it completely alien?

Numero

Thanks for all the replies. Some very good advice there, so much appreciated.
I will look into the internship idea and also think finding a contract prior to the fe1s would be ideal but who knows how hard that would be.

I currently work in tax, so it is legal based but obviously very different. However, maybe some firms might see it as useful?

Thanks again!

234

Numero wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Some very good advice there, so much appreciated.
I will look into the internship idea and also think finding a contract prior to the fe1s would be ideal but who knows how hard that would be.

I currently work in tax, so it is legal based but obviously very different. However, maybe some firms might see it as useful?

Thanks again!

Matheson do loads of tax work. I would say that your experience would be invaluable, especially from a commercial awareness point of view.

NoQuarter

Numero wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Some very good advice there, so much appreciated.
I will look into the internship idea and also think finding a contract prior to the fe1s would be ideal but who knows how hard that would be.

I currently work in tax, so it is legal based but obviously very different. However, maybe some firms might see it as useful?

Thanks again!

Ding ding ding, jackpot. All the large commercial firms have tax departments. Grab that experience and ram it down their throats. If I was you I would completely gear myself and my CV up to aim for one of those roles.

BUT, would you be happy working as a solicitor in tax or is the whole point of this change that you want to deal with clients and other areas of law like litigation etc

By the way, I think some of the firms may have specific application processes for tax trainees. You'd want to get onto all their websites and check that out.

See here: http://www.legal500.com/c/ireland/tax