I have been unsuccessful in every round for open days, vacation schemes and training contracts applications
In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, one aspiring solicitor wants to get to the bottom of her training contract failure.
I am an LLB graduate and aspiring corporate solicitor hoping to qualify in London. I was hoping to get some perspective/advice on my situation.
I moved from France aged 16 and started my A-levels in the UK. Because of the difficulties that come with studying in a new language I attained grades ACC, which was disappointing as my grades had always been good while in France.
These grades meant I had to go through clearing and ended up studying at an ex-poly ranked roughly 50th in the league tables. I graduated in the summer with a first. While at university I managed to do plenty of work experience at the pro bono clinic, at several high street firms, and in a small family-run commercial firm. I did a mini-pupillage too. I am now fluent in English and next year I will be doing a masters in world history at Cambridge, which has always been an interest of mine.
My problem is that I have been unsuccessful in every round for open days, vacation schemes, and training contracts applications in the City. I put many hours into these applications and have specifically applied to commercial firms that do not set a minimum A-level requirement. However I don’t get past the online application.
Is it my A-level grades holding me back? If so, should I try to re-take them? Or should I stop applying to the City and try to secure a TC at a high street firm instead? And if I were to secure one, how difficult would it be moving to a smaller commercial/mid-sized commercial set as an NQ?
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