Career Clinic: What should I do during my deferral period?

I am in the same situation! I have paralegalled and I have worked in industry before going into law. The question is, can you afford not to work? That is what I am asking myself and I think it's prudent to continue paralegalling until a few months before the start of my TC. The economic climate is too dodgy. If your start date gets deferred again, what then? I think you're better off working, saving some money and then having a holiday 3 months before you start.

Trainee2B -16 Mar 2009 | 09:58

I agree - a lot depends if you can afford not to work; also the type of firm/work you will be engaged in the future. If travelling or paralegal work does not appeal, perhaps working on other skills that may be of value in the future such as learning a language beyond a basic level. Perhaps some voluntary/conservation work.

Anonymous -16 Mar 2009 | 14:16

Poor you... loads of time off and your only ideas are travelling or paralegalling. You can do anything you want (money-dependant) with the security that you have a job to come back to, so make the most of it! Paralegalling is pointless and will make you realise how bad trainee work is, so avoid it at all cost. Do voluntary work, learn a language, take up a new hobby... anything! I assure that many people would love to be in your position - by the time you qualify the market would have recovered and retention rates will be back up to 90ish percent. Once you start work, these opportunities will be rare!

Green-eyed monster -16 Mar 2009 | 17:21

You've done the paralegalling. Do something else. Do voluntary work, learn a language, certainly go abroad and live a little! Good luck (from another green-eyed monster)

Helen -17 Mar 2009 | 09:24

i) trade the markets; ii) voluntary work

Investment Banker -17 Mar 2009 | 12:49

I would get some business experience in the area in which you think you will have most clients in. Get to know and understand their businesses; this will give you a real differentiator when it comes both to doing their work and ultimately in selling to those clients. Talking their language, having the know-how that comes with actually working in that area, and making connections are priceless. If you get the right role, it is experience that will benefit you for many years.

Ex-inhouser -17 Mar 2009 | 16:56

Investigate alternative careers.

Anonymous -17 Mar 2009 | 17:06

Travel, sleep with lots of girls/boys (whatever your preference) and enjoy life. It will be comforting when you're photocopying in the early hours of the morning

Anonymous -21 Mar 2009 | 09:41

If you are having to seek opinion on how to spend your deferral period on a website, and can only envisage filling the time with more backpacking or paralegalling, please set aside some of your time out trying to broaden your horizons and working out what YOU actually want from life, rather than what everyone else is doing (or what you think you should be doing).

Anonymous -02 Apr 2009 | 14:33