History teachers and solicitors i want to hear from you

danwate

If you are a history teacher or a solicitor I would love to hear from you. Pros and cons of your jobs. I feel that these are the two careers that I am seriously thinking about. I have a passion for both and wanted to get views from people who work in each respective profession as to what they think about their jobs. I have a law degree already and actually when Eversheds open up their graduate training contracts again I have an interview with them, so have made the first steps for one job but I'd be happy to go back to uni and do a PGCE.

Looking forward to reading replies. thanks

dmg24

How do you know that you have an interview at Eversheds if they are not yet recruiting? Have you done work experience there? What classification did you get in your degree?

alwaysonthego_2

Two very different careers!!!

SandC

Would you not need a degree in history to become a history teacher?

maninthestreet

History is all in the past.

danwate

As to first reply I have an interview because I originally applied when they still had the scheme open and passed their initial selection, I was unable to attend the interview date they gave me and was told I would be given another one. they then closed the training contracts and I've been told when it opens again I'll have an interview then.

got a 2;2

i believe with history teacher you can still teach if you show an interest in the area and do research-some pgce courses require you to do a month of subject studies beforehand (i believe-correct me if i'm wrong).

chocoholic1_2

I'm a teacher. Job prospects depend on where you live. Some areas have hundreds of applicants, some you can walk into a job. Work wise - Secondary is generally easier than primary in terms of hours worked, but you are still looking at a 55 - 60 hour week term time. Balanced out by the holidays though. The job itself depends entirely on the school, but behaviour management is getting increasingly difficult and it can be horrible especially in the beginning. I would recommend going into a few schools to see how you feel. Love of your subject is fine, but if you can't get the kids to sit in their chairs it's a bit pointless.

luxor4t

Re employment as a history teacher

Might I tactfully suggest you find out about the vacancy situation in the regions you hope to work in before you spend time, money & considerable effort training?

Locally the job situation over the last five years has become dire in history & vacancies have disappeared.
Sadly, the number of PGCE trainees has not dropped, leaving more and more angry, disappointed and unemployed history NQTs. The local training institution has been driven to suggesting teaching in 'other fields' or even leaving teaching altogether as career options.

As a hard-bitten teacher (not in history) please also consider the realities of modern classroom life very carefully, do you have any experience of working with children or young people in any capacity?

dmg24

danwate wrote: »

As to first reply I have an interview because I originally applied when they still had the scheme open and passed their initial selection, I was unable to attend the interview date they gave me and was told I would be given another one. they then closed the training contracts and I've been told when it opens again I'll have an interview then.

got a 2;2

i believe with history teacher you can still teach if you show an interest in the area and do research-some pgce courses require you to do a month of subject studies beforehand (i believe-correct me if i'm wrong).

Sorry to tell you this, you will not get a position at Eversheds with a 2.2. To be honest, considering the current situation in the legal industry, I would be surprised if you get any offers with a 2.2.

Poodlecrazy

As a solicitor I would say that in the current climate you will find it very difficult to secure a training contract (and for that matter a qualified position although that's not an issue for a couple of years) particularly with a 2:2. By all means go to the interviews etc but you could be waiting several years and more than likely will find that you have to do some form of work experience to boost your CV to compensate for the 2:2.

Getting work as a paralegal is also quite tricky but not as bad. Maybe give that a go to see what you think.


In terms of work type this has been a discussion between myself and my close friend who is a primary teacher. Generally I think we both agree that I work more hours and have more stress, however, on the plus side I have more flexibility in that I can work from home occassionally or just shut my door with a coffee for a few minutes.

We are both very different personalities and I would hate her job as much as she would hate mine. For that reason Iwould suggest some work experience in both before pursuing either as 'falling' into either teaching or law could result in a lot of hard work in an area you really don't like!

P

Oldernotwiser

danwate wrote: »

i believe with history teacher you can still teach if you show an interest in the area and do research-some pgce courses require you to do a month of subject studies beforehand (i believe-correct me if i'm wrong).

I'm afraid you're being over optimistic on this one as well. Let's face it, would you want your children to be taught a subject by someone without a degree in it?