The Oracle

I have been offered a six-month paralegal position followed by a training contract in personal injury/clinical negligence by the firm where I'm currently working in an admin role. This is not an area of law I had ever intended to go into, but my A levels aren’t great and I don’t know what my chances would be elsewhere. Should I take the training contract?

First of all, congratulations on your offer of a training contract! Without hesitation, we would advise you to accept the offer, for so many reasons, including the following:

• It is an incredibly competitive recruitment environment at the moment, and people are struggling to get paralegal positions, let alone training contracts. To have this offered to you, with guaranteed career progression built-in, is something of a dream come true.
  
  
• You have obviously been selected on the basis of the skills you have demonstrated in your current role and by proving your worth to the firm. They like what you have to offer and see your potential as a trainee!
  
  
• If your A levels are not brilliant, they will certainly hold you back if you go through the traditional application methods, including possibly meaning that you are automatically deselected in online application forms.
  
  
• So many solicitors mention that the areas of law they thought they would want to practise in are not those they end up in . It is very hard to gauge from a position of academic study or little experience exactly what you will enjoy or be good at. Keep your options and your mind open.

Now, what’s that saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth…?