After graduating with my Bachelor’s of Law (LLB) and Master’s in Law (LLM), I did not become a lawyer. Here’s my story:
Studying Law in the UK
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue my studies overseas, fully sponsored by the government of Malaysia. Having a UK-qualified degree requires me to sit for the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) exams if I wanted to pursue pupillage (also known as chambering) and become a practicing lawyer.
Throughout my three years of studying for my degree, I was uncertain about becoming a lawyer, even though I wholeheartedly loved learning about the subject matter.
I decided to give the CLP a try, but the timing wasn’t right. The CLP period coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing many uncertainties. Exams were postponed, and classes were moved online. Additionally, I was planning to get married, and money was tight, so I prioritized finding a job over taking the exams.
A Glimpse of the Legal Fraternity
While still juggling the CLP, I took a short stint at a small law firm as a legal assistant. I wanted to gain practical experience in the legal world, which was more hands-on than the theories I learned in my studies. This experience opened my eyes to the realities of the legal profession.
I discovered that I didn’t want to be a part of it. Even though different people have different experiences, I realized that the legal profession wasn’t for me. Of course, there are dark sides to many professional careers, including doctors, engineers, and lawyers, with stories of bullying, underpayment, and unfair working conditions. However, many people defy the odds and become the best in their professions.
Believe me, I made sure to try it out before deciding not to pursue it further. For me, this was important to avoid having second thoughts or guilt for not trying in the future.
An Intersection of Law and Other Passions
Soon after, a perfect opportunity came my way. I was offered a job in a regulatory body, doing planning and policy work. Although it wasn’t something I had studied in university, it was an intersection between my legal studies and other areas I was passionate about, such as social issues, economics, politics, and public policy.
I realised earlier on that social issues, politics and public policy were of my interest because I volunteered in quite number of events, interned in an NGO, and always looking forward discussions pertaining on social issues and the policy decisions made by the government since early age. If l did not do a Law degree, I would definitely do a degree in political science.
Looking back, I realize I am still working with the law, even if I am not a lawyer. I work at the early stages of law-making, also known as policy-making, with lawmakers in parliament. While lawyers advocate for their clients, I advocate for the public’s best interests by researching and proposing better policies for a better nation.
Built-a-Zethy as a Law Graduate
Sometimes people ask me if I regret not becoming a lawyer.
I’d say no.
My four years of legal studies have shaped who I am today. The experiences built my resilience, critical thinking, and inquisitive attitude, which are essential values for a successful career.
And it’s not like I’ve abandoned the law completely; I’m just working on a different branch of it. Besides lawyers, many others work as legal counsels or prosecutors.
I’ve chosen this path fully aware of what I’ve left behind, and I’m grateful that I studied law, loved it, and grateful that I did not become a lawyer
Choosing what’s best for you
If you are currently facing a life decision to make, especially on your career, bear in mind that it’s important to consider these two factors:
- You are learning a lot from the job – it fills up your inquisitive appetite
- You are receiving reasonable compensation from it (monetary or other benefits)
If its both, then it’s perfect. But when lacking one, you might want to start thinking of finding a new job. There’s also the culture of the workplace, that might not resonates with your own values, which also makes it uncomfortable to work and grow.
Whether or not you are from a legal background or not, wanting to be a lawyer or diving into other careers, at the end of the day, it’s all up to you. Success is not define by society’s standards, but what truly matters to you.
Some guidance could be:
- Ikigai – a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living.
- Ali Abdaal 3 Part Decision Framework
Let me know what were the method you used to make your decision in the comment below!