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Meet Jacob, 20, a solicitor apprentice from Essex. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

I wanted a job where I felt mentally engaged so this is the perfect job but, as a kid, this didn’t come to mind.

What is your job?

��’m training to be a qualified solicitor. A lot of what I do is helping with negotiations between my client and the other person. I review and manage documents, making sure the contracts are in place. You can spend a whole day reviewing one document – some can run to thousands of pages. We attend meetings with clients, see what they want, what they need, and how we think we can we put this in a contract. A lot of being a lawyer is mediating between two parties.

What skills do you use?

There is a lot of English language involved. I make sure the words ��’m using are the words I mean to use. We work with people from all over the world, so it is important to learn how to adapt my working style. There’s a lot of problem solving – I often think that my job is as close to being a mathematician as I can be, without using numbers. Time management is also important as there is a deadline every day!

What subjects did you study?

I did the compulsory subjects and French, Geography and PE. I also did Music on the side. At sixth form I studied Maths, Further Maths, Geography, General Studies and AS English Language. While I was in college I joined an engineering group and earned a .

How did you get into your job?

I was looking for apprenticeships online and I thought that this programme was substantially better suited to me than the others. The application process included tests and interviews and there was an open day before the assessment centre, which was a great way to learn more about Dentons and the programme. Getting this job was a very nice surprise.

Top tips

• You shouldn’t force yourself into any job. Do your research and, if it seems like you would like it, then apply

• If this is what you know you want to do, give it a shot. If it doesn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world.

What to expect if you want to be a solicitor

When Jacob finishes his apprenticeship, he will be a qualified solicitor. Solicitors advice clients about the law and act on their behalf in legal matters.

What to expect if you want to be a solicitor

• Solicitor average salary: £25,000 to £100,00 per year
• Solicitor typical working hours: 37 to 50 hours per week

What qualifications do you need to be a solicitor?

You could get into this role via a university course or a degree apprenticeship. You'll need three A-levels, or equivalent, for a degree. Alternatives to A-levels include taking a T-level in Legal Services (England-only, from Sept 2023), which is equivalent to three A-levels. Check with your course provider which alternative qualifications they accept. Other routes include doing a solicitor degree apprenticeship, which usually takes around five to six years and you'll need your employer's support to do it. You could also work towards the role with a legal firm and do on-the-job training, or if you started a qualifying law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Legal Practice Course (LPC) before 2021, you will be able to continue to qualify as a solicitor by the traditional route until 2032.

Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, .

This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the for more on T-levels.

Find out more on the Prospects website about the role of a .

For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: , , and .

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