Overseas Cert - Able to secure a good job?

[shootingstar18]

For my case, I am currently studying UOL Bachelor of Laws LLB (Honours) and because I do not want to practise law, thus I need not take the UK bar exams for a year.

I am now worried about my career path and I'm sure many of us who are pursuing our overseas degree are fretting as well.

I've heard that with my cert, I'm able to become a paralegal or an in house counsel for MNCs. But still, I'm not too sure about that.

The Juris Doc cert recently offered by SMU has also set high standards and pre requisites to be able to qualify for entry.

I've contemplated being a legal advisor, but most of the legally related jobs in sg would require you to take the bar exams and qualify for the sg bar.

I've also thought of being a school teacher but looks like MOE doesn't approve overseas degree to qualify for the PDGE. It would mean that we are only qualified for the Diploma route which of course, I wouldn't wanna work backwards.

If there's anyone out there, who can advise me on my career pathway, whether it's legally related or not, please feel free to share.
Or if there's anyone out there, having the same worries, we can all share our woes here.

[Ashlene]

I must say, yes, overseas deg-holders will be at a disadvantage at times when compared with our local deg-holder counterparts.
However, our cert/grades should not be fully reflective of us as a person and of our capabilities as well.

If you can convince a company you're capable and competent, then I don't see why they should not hire you.
Of cus, for certain companies esp the public sector, you must try harder as they favour local grads more.

But then again, I have known of oversea deg-holders securing pretty decent jobs.
And what is your definition of good job?
Decent pay + good prospects?
For example, those from SIM-UOL... some have starting pay of 3-4K in banking sector. Others getting 2-2.5K in business service sector.

I guess it all depends on the individual, their capabilities and of cus, some luck/fate too. Afterall, a degree is just a stepping stone.

[shootingstar18]

Thank you for your prompt reply, Ashlene!

Yes, good job would mean acceptable pay of around 2.5k for fresh grads and bright career prospects in the future.

I'm not sure which industry I can venture into, that is the problem. So kinda worried now.

[mark78]

UOL law can get you into LEGAL advisor in some of the law firms. i was informed that UOL Law (distant learning) cannot allowed u to practise law. you will be taking the SAME legal exam set by University of Queen Mary and mark you as the same std as their LAW students.

Therefore its same paper without the same recognition.

My friends got got their LLB (distant learning) got themselves a job in some top corp sec firm as paralegal which is paying good money too.

As for in house counsel for MNC, yes. some MNC do hire LLB grads but with experience to look thru their contracts.

No need to thank ash, she too free

[shootingstar18]

eh, okay. haha why do you say that of ashlene?

anyway, yes i'm unable to practise law because sg bar doesn't recognise this cert of mine.

and you have certainly brightened me up with the information about your friends! now at least there's still some hope to my future!
phew!

but few qns in mind.

1. distant learning would meant that they have pursued their overseas degree in sg but it's an external programme right? that's what i'm currently taking as well.

2. is it true that most companies would rather hire someone who is able to practice law as a legal advisor?

3. what is the job scope of a paralegal and will i have a bright career prospect? as in that i will be able to climb and not get stucked the same level for years.

4. and it seems like to become a paralegal, some relevant work experience is required. this would be disadvantegeous to a fresh grad with no exp like me.
thanks alot! :D

[mark78]

eh, okay. haha why do you say that of ashlene?

n.a.h just kinding she is the kind hearted soul that brought this thread to my attention as i shared to her on my interest to take llb. but i guess i am too old for another degree. so going to stop.

anyway, yes i'm unable to practise law because sg bar doesn't recognise this cert of mine.

and you have certainly brightened me up with the information about your friends! now at least there's still some hope to my future!
phew!

but few qns in mind.

1. distant learning would meant that they have pursued their overseas degree in sg but it's an external programme right? that's what i'm currently taking as well.

yes distant learning means your external programme

2. is it true that most companies would rather hire someone who is able to practice law as a legal advisor?

Yes and no. usually ppl who can practice law will choose to be lawyer unless they do not like the lifestele. Well of my friends who are legal advisor did have those external learning degree. ulitmately its up to your boss


3. what is the job scope of a paralegal and will i have a bright career prospect? as in that i will be able to climb and not get stucked the same level for years.

paralegal especially in corporate secretarial knowledge earn good $ but no way to compare themselves with lawyers

but the question how much is consider good $?


4. and it seems like to become a paralegal, some relevant work experience is required. this would be disadvantegeous to a fresh grad with no exp like me.

there are law firms that hire fresh grad, journey of 1000 miles start with 1 step. well i know a marketing grad from a local uni got into a big corporate sec firm (law firm) so its still possible. its like asking what is the job requirement for Account Assistant. well some will say must be at least some dip in Accounts but then if they hard up for staff or u can present the x factor they will be willing to hire a business admin poly grad for that job

thanks alot! :D

Well but UOL do not provide LLB right? i miss my LAW.......

well all the best

[shootingstar18]

Well but UOL do not provide LLB right? i miss my LAW.......

well all the best

Huh? Yes Mark, UOL does provide LLB. That is what I'm currently taking!
And you're never too old to study. There are many working adults, even aunties and uncles pursuing their LLB with me.

[mark78]

Huh? Yes Mark, UOL does provide LLB. That is what I'm currently taking!
And you're never too old to study. There are many working adults, even aunties and uncles pursuing their LLB with me.

oh my bad. i mean do SIM provide UOL?
nah, i think i have to stop. if not it seems that i am neither here nor there. well maybe when i retire i will take up LLB again. jsut complete my 2nd degree a 3rd will means i have to rob a bank for it.

[shootingstar18]

Haha, it's a common misconception that only SIM provides UOL/RMIT courses. There are actually other Private Institutions around.

[leyna]

i dont think SIM provide law from UOL.

actually, the job scope of a paralegal is basically doing all the research work, preparing documents for the lawyer and filing of doucments.

i'm not too sure if the corp sec paralegals earn more cos from what i see, i think all is about the same.

i think for career prospect, i think the most also promote to legal executive which is doing the same job as paralegal but higher post and nicer name and maybe higher paying. not too sure about this cos none of my friends has mention anything about that to me.

hth.

[shootingstar18]

thanks leyna!

yup, SIM doesn't provide law, most of their courses are business related.

haha, actually paralegal and legal executive are the same thing. at least that's what one of my cotter friend, who is a legal exec told me.

just a curious qn leyna, since you're also pursuing an overseas degree right, what do you think of your career prospects and what job are you intending to take on when you grad?

[scarlet135]

actually i worrying about this too..

i am currently studying UOL at SIM... somehow i wonder did i choose the right path....

sad thing is my local uni application being rejected for 2 years le

[shootingstar18]

not being able enter local uni is one of my greatest personal failure. it's like i went to jc for no reason, only to waste my time and all. i mean, ultimately, you are aiming to enter local uni after graduating from jc right? seeing others entering local unis, make me sad.

i was actually shortlisted for NTU's English Lit but i screwed up my interview with the stern prof who i realised was the head of the dept. imagine that. i was the only who got him compared to other candidates who was lucky enough to have cheerful and friendly female profs. but then again, after graduating from NTU English Lit, what would be of my career like? not very sure also.

didn't wanna do business related courses due to math, that's why i took up law.

i didnt bother to try applying to the local unis again since i've already spent so much on the private education. what to do?

sighs.

[leyna]

actually, i'm not too sure about my career prospect as i'm studying at SIM-UOL. i've been worrying about it too as our degree isnt as favoured as compared with local degrees.

i think i will have to expect lower pay as compared to local uni grads who are in the same course as me.

as i'm in banking and finance, i'm not too sure about what i am gonna do either.

i'm pretty much lost like you.

[heavenlyn]

hi shootingstar18,

if you have a passion for law and want to pursue a career to practice law, i would encourage you to either switch to an internal program (although not easy) or get called to the UK bar and then come back to SG to get called. You can read the Legal Profession Act for more information.

the most important thing not to be constrained in your mind that just because you went through 4 years of law school to get the LLB, you have to be a lawyer or do something law related. a LLB is just like any other degree out there, just that it gives you a certain path and route. However, without passion, one cannot survive long in this industry. I've only been called for 4 months and about 10 of my batch mates have called it quits already. the media has misrepresented the industry and nature of the profession, nothing can be further than the truth. there is no glamour, fame or money.

you are right that many companies would rather hire someone with experience in private practice as a legal counsel (aka in-house counsel), especially the MNCs and bigger corporations. however, local SMES and smaller companies might hire fresh grads or grads with external degrees. you can approach legal recruit agencies such as RecruitLegal to deposit your resume so they can job match you.

a paralegal in a local firm (even the big 4) will not get you anywhere. however, experience in a local firm would be necessary to eventually move to an offshore firm which pays more and has more prospects of career advancement and exposure to higher level work. think of it as a stepping stone, but of course, don't say that at the interview..haha

all the best!