Should I study law social work or return to nursing ADVICE NEEDED
Should I pursue a Law degree at 20 or choose Social Work because I’m scared I won’t get a training contract? Or should I go back to Nursing?
Hi everyone,
I’m 20 years old and I’m really struggling to decide what to do with my future, so I’d appreciate advice from people who have studied law, are currently studying it, or work in the legal profession.
I studied Adult Nursing at university for two years, but I’ve now been terminated from my course following an academic misconduct issue. I could potentially ask the university to allow me to repeat second year and complete my degree, but there is no guarantee they’ll give me another opportunity. I’d also have to take a year out while I wait for a decision.
The truth is that I don’t want to be a nurse. Nursing and particularly the placements have taken a serious toll on my mental health to the point I was losing feeling in my legs and having falls so I had to have a placement plan for it ,my iron became low and I was diagnosed with depression due to how bad it was . I dread going on placement and have struggled with how unhappy I am on the course. I originally planned to finish nursing and pursue law afterwards, but now I’m questioning whether I should put myself through another year or two of something I genuinely dislike.
My three options are:
1. Try to return to Nursing.
I could ask the university to let me repeat second year, complete third year and graduate. My family thinks this would be the safest option because I’d have a degree and a profession to fall back on. However, there’s no guarantee I’ll be allowed to return, and even if I am, I’d be committing to more years of a course that has made me unhappy. I would only be doing it as a backup while hoping to pursue law afterwards.
2. Start a Law degree at Nottingham Trent University this October.
I have an offer to study Law at NTU, so I could start pursuing the career I’ve wanted for a long time.
At A-level, I studied English Literature, Sociology and Politics. I’ve also completed work experience and programmes with HMRC, Bright Network and EY, which I genuinely enjoyed. These experiences have strengthened my interest in law, particularly the commercial side of the profession.
My main fear is whether I’ll be able to achieve a First or a strong 2:1 and eventually secure a training contract. I’ve repeatedly been told that law is extremely competitive and that without a First, I’m unlikely to get anywhere. I’m worried about investing three years into a degree and then struggling to get a job in the profession.
3. Study Social Work at NTU and pursue law afterwards.
My family has suggested Social Work because they believe it would be easier than Law. The idea would be to complete the degree, gain legal experience, apply for vacation schemes where possible and eventually secure a training contract.
I’ve also spoken to lawyers who have suggested that some firms value candidates with non-law degrees because they bring different perspectives. This has made me wonder whether studying Social Work first could be a sensible alternative.
However, I’m concerned that I’d be making the same mistake again: choosing a degree I don’t particularly want because I’m scared of pursuing the one I actually do want.
My family keeps telling me to be realistic about law and how difficult it is to secure a training contract. I understand that it’s competitive, but I don’t know whether I’m letting fear make this decision for me.
For those who have been through this process:
How difficult is it to get a First or a 2:1 in a Law degree?
How competitive are vacation schemes and training contracts, realistically?
Is a First genuinely necessary, or can you still be successful with a 2:1?
Would studying Social Work first give me any real advantage over doing a Law degree?
Do commercial law firms genuinely prefer non-law graduates in some cases?
Given my circumstances, would you start Law now, pursue Social Work, or try to finish Nursing first?
I’m only 20, and I know I have time to change direction. I just don’t want to make another decision based on other people’s expectations and end up unhappy again.
I’d really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who have experienced the recruitment process themselves. Thank you.