Considering a Legal Career Shift at 29: What Opportunities and Challenges Await?

Hi Everybody, I completed my PGDM in HR in 2010. Since then, I have not had any practical experience in HR and its functions. With five years of experience in the Visa Consulting field, I am looking forward to switching my professional career to LLB (laws other than Crime Laws). I am currently 29 years old.

Opportunities and Challenges in Legal Careers

How worthwhile would it be to complete this study, and what are the opportunities for working as a Legal Officer or Legal Executive in any corporate setting? What challenges might I have to face? Is age a barrier? Or could you suggest any better options?

I am eagerly waiting for a reply.

Thanks

I would advise you to stick to the HR field and search for jobs related to HR. Visa Counseling is somewhat like customer service and back-office documentation. It's not directly related to HR, but you can consider it as part of HR, such as screening documents and understanding your clients, etc.

However, you should focus on finding jobs specifically in HR. Law is a completely different field of study with no similarities to HR. It is a time-consuming course that requires a lot of practice to become a good lawyer. If you are a CS, then the field of law may seem appealing.

Thank you.

Regards,
Rajib Saha
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

You are young, and age is not a barrier in any profession. You can study the pros and cons of each profession; the most important factor is your likes and dislikes of the profession. Both HR and Legal are interesting professions.

Since you have already completed PGDM-HR, it would be easy for you to join at a junior level in HR as an entry point and then grow. For a career in legal, you need to complete LLB and then undertake some practice and deep study, which will put you on the right track after 3 years.

In HR, you can start your career immediately. Yes, having an LLB would be an added advantage in HR as well, like the study of Labor Law.

Based on your personal satisfaction and preferences, choose your career path. You will receive many pieces of advice, but your interest matters a lot in your career.

Regards,
BrainLight HR Solutions

I go with Brain Light HR Solutions. Age is no bar. You can either study a 3-year LLB course with Labor Laws as a major since it is relevant to HR, or go for a diploma course in labor laws offered by Mumbai University (please enquire) or by a Parel-based Institute of Labor Studies. There is ample scope with HR coupled with legal qualifications since industrial relations and statutory compliances are much sought after now if you have an aptitude for it.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
Mumbai

Progress Partners is looking for people in its labour law audit and HR audit functions. You can apply if you wish.

Challenges in Changing Career Fields

With regard to the rest of your questions, it's a pity you are in the wrong field with reference to your qualifications. Changing is not going to be easy. The first obstacle is that people will not give you an opportunity since your experience is elsewhere. Second, in case you do get an offer, you will be competing with younger people and will be paid less compared to your age, maybe even less than what you are currently drawing.

Considering Further Studies in Law

If you are planning to study law, that may be a good idea as you will have a reason to change your field after that. However, Mumbai University no longer allows students beyond a certain age. You may need to change your location in that case.

Again, LLB is a 3-year course, and you will be 32 when you qualify and will be competing for jobs with 24-year-olds.

However, if you are convinced that you need to change your field of work, then move on to something new, sacrifice some things in the interim period (money being one of them) for a better future.