And so it begins

Sam is a paralegal at a top 100 law firm, who is back on the training contract hunt. He offers his view on what it's like out there dealing with applications and, inevitably, rejection.

It's that time of year again where would-be trainee solicitors ruin what little summer they have by beavering away at applications in search of a training contract. I expect that many of you over the next couple of months may read the following email/letter on more than a few occasions:

Dear applicant,

Thank you for your interest in *firm*. Unfortunately, due to the number of high-calibre candidates, we are unable to consider your application further. No feedback will be offered at this time. We wish you all the best in your future career.

Kind regards,
*Head of Human Resources*

However, my personal favourite has to be those firms that do not even extend the courtesy of a copy and paste email.

Anyway, that's my rant over. By way of introduction, my name is Sam and, after living in Cardiff my entire life, I decided to exercise a tremendous amount of imagination and study the LLB and LPC at Cardiff University.

Once I had completed the LPC, I was lost. Days seemed to merge into one another, with applications filling my ‘working day' only interrupted by lapses of concentration as a result of Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women. But, following a couple of setbacks, I finally got that first job.

I am currently working as a paralegal at a law firm and getting some good experience in the process! I can honestly say that while I did apply for training contracts, I was more than happy to earn my stripes as a paralegal. This is still the case but, just one year in, I am already getting restless and am back on the training contract hunt.

During my weak moments of procrastination during research/applications, I can't help but check the forums attached to law-related websites. Within seconds I regret it! Doom and gloom intertwined with fear and regret. Posts include a range of the following classics: "I got a 2.2; should I pack it in now?", "Finally got an interview somewhere - HELP!", "My dissertation supervisor is useless!" and so on. After this delightfully uplifting interlude, I return to my applications feeling dejected and certain that I am wasting my time.

There's no denying it - the application process is wearisome. Believe me, as a 2.2 candidate myself, I have had more than my fair share of crises of faith. It seems that most weeks I hear of another person who has turned their back on law because, as I have been told numerous times, "there are easier ways to make your money"; for lots of students, researching, applying, preparing, interviewing and rejection seem to have lost their appeal (I cannot imagine why). Instead, these students like the idea of the LLB… just without the career in law.

All in all, there will always be people who turn their backs on law. There will always be people who throw in the towel. Law is a career that demands resilience - the application process is just the beginning. If you really want it, then chin up, head down and get applying!