Studying law in Uni?

I love angels

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering what is it like to study law at university? Is it hard? What is the workload like? Did you enjoy the course? Do you think it is a good degree? You think there will be more employment opportunities in law in the future?

Thank you

Snatchy

Very briefly, it's a good degree if you work your ass off. It depends on what you want to do after your degree but you will most likely need to work your ass off to get a training contract but then again nothing is easy! I did law in Galway (not Trinity or UCD!). I qualified two months ago with a big law firm in Dublin. I got a job straight away in a US law firm in London. I'm 25, I work my ass off but I get paid very well and am getting great experience. Sometimes I don't sleep.

It depends on what you want in life and in work and where you want to get to.

Nothing is easy but some things are rewarding.

You can do anything if you work ass off (I know I keep saying that but it's true)

Best of luck with your decision

Sorry for the mini rant - I realise I'm not expressing myself very articulately but I'm in a rush!

nuac

As Snatchy says, law can be tough.

The publicity about tribunals have given many the impression that you can just qualify and pick up a grand or two a day.

Not like that except for the well connected few.

Talk to people now working in law.

Numbers qualifying have multiplied beyond all reasonable demand.

I was in UCG in the fifties. Then there were only about 6 in the law class. Changed utterly since. Go figure

Also you will only as good as your last case. You will always be working your ass off.

There are easier ways of making a living

Strong arm

Definitely look at what you want out of life - for example do you want to live the high powered exec life or fancy yourself as a country solicitor , or maybe you want to use the law degree as a stepping stone to something else . Personally I did not find the law degree difficult. As long as you turn up and study before exams you should be fine - it's a really interesting and enjoyable degree. The job of solicitor or barrister is entirely different . You should go and work for a solicitor or barrister to see if you would like it first - some people are born to it ( I love my job !) but I know many who loathe it but spent too many years and too much money on getting to where they are so they won't leave. Solicitors find it easier ( marginally) to make a living but I see many barrister colleagues struggling. It can be a difficult and negative job at times but can also be extremely rewarding.

It is very difficult to secure a training contract but they are out there - Good luck !

hullaballoo

There are plenty of employment ops for law grads at the moment, just not always as a practising lawyer. It is a degree that has uses in many walks if life.


Straight law (BCL) is fine but you ought to consider a joint degree like business and law. The workload for that degree is massive (~30 hours per week) but it gives options at the end.


I should clarify that doing a non-law degree is not a bar to ending up as a lawyer. In fact, having a background in another field is often very beneficial to a lawyer.

johnnyskeleton

A pure law degree in nui or trinity is 10-12 hours per week, so not the most demanding schedule.

Think of it as an Arts + degree. Plenty time to chew the cud, reasonably interesting subjects and at the end of the day it is as good if not a better general qualification than arts and has the additional benefit of being of some benefit in getting a job as a lawyer.

Benbulnen64

Nuac there are easier ways of making a living, yes. I enjoyed the challenge of doing a law degree ( mature age) did Honours on a topic that really interested me and although it can be both physically and mentally tiring working in the law, I also find it really rewarding.

PS You forgot The terrible beauty being born after the changed utterly!