Comments on: Solicitor apprentice: ‘Will taking a gap year after qualifying kill my career?’

By: Associate at proper big firm

Associate at proper big firm — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 15:08:02 +0000

Why not? If you are rejected for taking a year out then that says a lot about the law firm that rejects you.

Why not combine it with other cultural skills to amass a real learning curve whilst away… i.e. learning to cook well, learning a new language etc…

Travelling is wonderful, but preoccupying yourself whilst there is the best tip.

Have fun!

By: Bazza

Bazza — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:58:38 +0000

In reply to Youth is wasted on the young. Agree. You're only young once. A year off to travel is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 20:34:18 +0000

I qualified after completing the SQE as a solicitor apprentice. A year later I requested a sabbatical, which the firm agreed to. I took 10 months off, best decision and everyone I worked with was very supportive – go for it!

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:40:47 +0000

Go for it! You will never have this valuable time off again, save very exceptional circumstances.

Working is only one part of our lives, and there is so much more to life than it.

I see many fresh faced graduates who go straight from law school into full time work and they are restless. You need to get it out your system and enjoy it while you’re young.

By: Biglawlawyer

Biglawlawyer — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:17:56 +0000

Life is too short! You will be working for the rest of your career! Enjoy it! In fact I would recommend taking a random sabatical here and there! Only partners who have a narrow minded approach would grown up on it!

By: Dye Pah

Dye Pah — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 17:07:37 +0000

I thought a “Gap Yah” was something you took between school and University!

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:39:38 +0000

Respect yourself and go for it. Happy travelling!

By: Take a break whilst the NQ market picks up

Take a break whilst the NQ market picks up — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:27:24 +0000

In reply to NQ in the same boat.

I wasn’t retained last year Sept and I took time off and found a role come January 2024.

A well deserved break after the TC is needed.

It may also give some time for the NQ market to pick up as it is very much dead for the foreseeable.

By: Monica

Monica — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:23:52 +0000

Do it. Easy choice. You might not get another chance. Go to South America.

By: NQ in the same boat

NQ in the same boat — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:12:41 +0000

I am also considering travelling for a few months. NQ jobs seem few and far between but I’m ready for a change of scenery.

By: Going on an adventure

Going on an adventure — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 09:28:41 +0000

Depending on your personal circumstances, it could be worth waiting until 1-2PQE. There will be more jobs to come back to and you’ll be able to save up a bit more for your trip.

By: Youth is wasted on the young

Youth is wasted on the young — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 08:06:53 +0000

You won’t have this time again.

Be young, travel, explore, enjoy life.

Once you start working the only prolonged period of leave you will have is your qualification leave (4-6weeks) and then career breaks in between jobs etc.