Career Clinic: Can I work and train at the same time?

Or..

If I were you I would accept the local authority job and do the masters they are funding. I would defer the GDL place and use this year to find a training contract. I think doing a full-time job, a part-time masters, the GDL and searching for a training contract all at the same time sounds like a recipe for disaster. I don't think you can do justice to all the different balls you will be juggling and coming out of the GDL with a sub-standard mark is not going to impress any firms, even if you show that you have been working etc. You are looking at a 7 day working week: your theoretical energy and enthusiasm are admirable, but I think impractical.

The experience you get working for the local authority and the masters will sound interesting on tc applications, even if it isn't directly relevant in all areas.

I understand the desire to get everything on track straight away and get the GDL done but I think giving yourself a little more time and space will stand you in greater stead in getting a training contract.

You certainly sound like a capable person so don't stuff it up by trying to do too many things at once. Best of luck.

Or... -07 Sep 2009 | 13:19

I did it,admittedly not at the same time as a Masters! All my holiday and most of my weekends were given over to study and revision for two years while I worked full time in a law firm. It was hard but do-able. My only comment is that the providers of the LPC (as it then was) treated the part time course as a cash cow, so there was very little support apart from a hot-line during exams. Go for it but put your personal life on hold.

Percy -07 Sep 2009 | 13:24

Put the GDL on hold. Only embark on the GDL and LPC if you have a TC lined up. It is really tough out there to get a TC and the work experience and masters that you will get with your new job should enhance your chances of getting a TC.

Additionally it is important to remember that there are not many firms out there that pay your legal training fees (i.e. GDL/LPC) retrospectively so if you are trying to avoid paying for that yourself then you will have to secure a TC beforehand.

Anonymous -07 Sep 2009 | 13:32

Put the GDL on hold. Only embark on the GDL and LPC if you have a TC lined up. It is really tough out there to get a TC and the work experience and masters that you will get with your new job should enhance your chances of getting a TC.

Additionally it is important to remember that there are not many firms out there that pay your legal training fees (i.e. GDL/LPC) retrospectively so if you are trying to avoid paying for that yourself then you will have to secure a TC beforehand.

Anonymous -07 Sep 2009 | 13:32

It is not realistic to think you can hold down a full-time job and do two part-time courses. It maybe okay in the first month but then the home study pressures will increase and self-displine will be tested. Dont bite off more than you can chew. It will only leave you failing in all fronts and greatly disillusioned.

Go back to basics.

Ask yourself why you applied for a (good) job that requires committing to completing the masters. Despite the recession, is it worth making such a commitment? If so, give up the GDL. If not, maybe reconsider taking the job.

Good luck

Anonymous -07 Sep 2009 | 14:03

Work or Train?

Why would you want to give up a good and probably secure job in local authority for the uncertainties of being a lawyer, with all the attendant start-up costs? One thing that recessions teach us (and believe me, there will be a few more in the course of your career) is that people who are paid out of the public purse are the only ones in this world who keep their backsides in the butter.

catalogue man -08 Sep 2009 | 11:12

One part-time course at a time

I worked full-time while completing my part-time GDL and it's do-able with an understanding/flexible employer and putting your social life largely on hold during term time. But you don't have much spare time, so I can't imagine finding time to do a second qualification at the same time, even with a day off a week.

From your letter, I'm guessing that you're straight out of university or close to it. There is plenty of time for you to get back to the GDL if the current job offer and masters is compelling to you. But, even with a day off from work, a masters is going to be hard work, so if your heart lies in studying law, try and find a different job that will be easier to combine with a part-time GDL.

Beth -08 Sep 2009 | 11:56

P.S.

If you are studying part time, it's virtually impossible to have a training contract lined up before starting the GDL because firms don't tend to recruit 4 years out. (2 years p/t GDL + 2 years p/t LPC) You can always take a break between GDL and LPC if you don't have a training contract before starting the latter.

Beth -08 Sep 2009 | 11:59

Previous comment isn't an issue I assume if you manage to get a training contract with a firm which will cover your law school fees and living expenses.

future trainee -08 Sep 2009 | 14:26

I did a degree, LPC and Masters (consecutively!) all part-time whilst holding down a full-time job. Doing any one part-time course while studying is quite achievable, especially if they'll give you a day off for study. Much like the commenters above, I believe you'll be taking on too much if you try to work and do two courses concurrently. My part-time LPC was like an additional job in itself and for several years most of my annual leave was blown on revision and exams. (Don't get me wrong - It was worth it in the long run.) However if you try to take on too much, you risk doing nothing properly or effectively.

Delay the GDL. Give the market an extra year or so to pick up, during which time gather experience and an additional qualification that many other TC applicants won't have. Gaining experience and qualifications that will set you apart from other applicants will be more advantageous in the long run than trying to cram in the GDL as quickly as possible.

Good luck with it all.

Nearly NQ -09 Sep 2009 | 15:03

Anon

Studying for four years part-time whilst maintaining a full time job is not only managaeable, it shows dedication that will make you stand out of the crowd.

Having achieved an average degree, I was forced to take this option - and I didn't get one day per week off - I had to use my annual leave entitlement to revise and work weekends. This didn't prevent me obtaining first class honours and a training contract with a top firm.

Good luck - it is hard work but certainly worth it.

Anon -09 Sep 2009 | 17:16

On a side issue, I would urge you to check how long you are 'locked in' for by the local authority ie. how many years post completion you would have to stay with them in order not to repay the Masters fees. In my experience this is usually 2 years post completion. There is always a bit of wiggle room (invariably they will let a few months shy of 2 years for example slide), but you don't want to be landed with a sizeable bill should you decide to leave immediately upon completion.

Jane -10 Sep 2009 | 18:20

Don't do it.

I studied the GDL part-time whilst working full-time. The GDL is an intensive demanding course that, in order to perform well (which is now mandatory for most legal recruiters) will eat into most of your spare time for two years. I cannot imagine how you could possibly study another course on top of this.
I obtained a distinction on the GDL and now am in the second year of a much sought after training contract at a top firm. I am glad that I devoted time to the GDL and performing well on it.
I foresee a disaster if you try and juggle all balls at once, and the most pressing of your worries will be the amount of course fees you have wasted.

Vaughan -16 Sep 2009 | 10:58

I also studied for the GDL part-time whilst studying full-time and managed to maintain a pretty good social life and still achieved a commendation on the GDL. It was, however, very difficult - never underestimate how tired you'll be after a full day at work. Even the most motivated people on my course sometimes struggled to stay awake for the 3 hours of lectures after work twice a week. You'll also need a very understanding and flexible employer if you're going to study part-time for the GDL. If you're serious about a career in law then take your training seriously - don't juggle it with commitments which will drastically reduce the amount of effort you can put into your GDL. You'll end up with poor marks on the GDL (a tough course), poor performance at work and poor marks in your masters degree. No matter how clever you may think you are (like most graduates straight out of uni), juggling all three is simply a recipe for disaster.

Part-timer -18 Sep 2009 | 12:24