Hello LI Community.

I have been following this community for the last few months and have read so many things related to things like how the unprivileged guys never make it big in the legal profession.

Here, I am looking for clarity regarding my career dilemma.

I recently turned 21 and I am a 2023 graduate with a BA in English Honours from a local Govt University in West Bengal. I have decent academics - 55/92/85 (10th/12th/UG). I have done my schooling in Bengali medium.

I come from a family of daily wage labour workers, agricultural labourers, etc. So basically, I am very poor economically. I have lived all my life in a village and don't have any connections whatsoever in any cities or in the legal fraternity.

My parents can't give any money to me for any higher studies.

I am fascinated by law and the career prospects it provides.

Here are two choices that I have - 1) Look for a normal job that gives me the money to survive myself and then prepare for 3 Years of LLB Exams and try to get into a Good government college so I can get some scholarship and hostel to live and also some part-time jobs for some pocket money. Then after completing LLB, pursue a career in Litigation or Corporate. 2) Look for a normal job that gives me the money to survive and prepare for various non-technical Govt job exams such as SSC, Railway, Banking, Insurance, etc, and join the government sector and take care of myself and my family.

Regarding 1) I am confident that I can get into a Good College like DU by 2025 and regarding 2) I am confident that I will get a job by 2026-27 if I start preparing from the beginning of 2024.

As stated above, I come from a poor family and my parents can't give any money to me. I am on my own now.

Please, reply to those who have come from very humble backgrounds and have made a decent life in the legal profession.

Please, burst my illusion that I can make it big in the legal profession without any privilege.

Mod pls provide a link to any thread where this kind of issue has been discussed.

Thank you In Advance to everyone. I shall be obliged to whoever helps me in figuring out some clarity.

3 year course is already at a disadvantage for a corp job but still achievable, many have done.

And for litigation you will need some help from parents to sustain for a few years. You cannot predict it from now how much you will earn in litigation right out of college.

For corporate job: you'll have to start working towards it from first year itself since you have less time to do internships etc in 3yr course.

Nevertheless you can still do it but yes the delusion of making big should not be there. In both the cases you will still be better off as compared to just a BA.

One can do anything he wants. However, the legal profession has its flaws

There is an entry barrier for the underprivileged and it starts with an exorbitant registration fee for various exams (don't get me started on coaching classes). Another problem that you will face while in law school and beyond is the lack of a network (very important in the legal field) which many of your batch would have inherited through their lawyer/rich parents.

Moreover, it takes a hell lot of money to do internships (that people start doing from 1st year) if you don't live in Delhi, Bombay, etc. and the sad part is that you won't get a penny out of them. You will be expected to work for free or will be given very little numeration in the initial years if you opt for litigation. On the other hand, in corporate, you will paid a handsome amount but will have no work-life balance.

These challenges are surmountable (or tolerable) but it's better to know the truth about a profession before entering into it. I didn't know about these hurdles when I joined the field but even if I had known I would have still chosen law (coz I love it).

All the best!

Have no connections or anything, got 3 internships back to back in Tier 1 firms and still in my 3rd year. My parents are from teaching background so they cant help in anything and our family overall is very average in every way. The way I did this, keep your head low and keep on working. Live thoda delusional, that helps achieve many things

You're not the norm. Most people with no connections don't get back to back 3 tier 1 internships unless their college is good enough. To get into a very good college, most people require coaching. Barely anyone can do that with no outside help/free google resources. Then registration for clat and hostel fees of these colleges will also have to be paid. After this, she may or may not good internships and she may or may not be able to convert those internships into a job/have a successful day zero.

Hey,

I come from a humble background with no connections whatsoever.

I never went to school, got admission to a local school with 1 or 2 teachers, and took exams (State board), and somehow made it into a decent law college in a metro city.

Now interning with a lawyer and he pays me enough to sustain myself in a metro city (But I take money from my home also)

Have made some good connections, hopeful to join a good lawyer after I graduate.

I believe it is certainly tough, but not too hard as they say. If you are focused, hardworking, and passionate about it, go ahead. This profession is full of mediocre professionals. You will make your way.

Good luck :)

Thank You Everyone who have read my query and have replied. Thank for your valuable suggestions and advices. I am grateful to you all my learned online fellows.

From whatever little awareness that I have gathered through the Internet and especially from LI, I have decided that I will start focusing on Government Jobs Exams Preparation (Banking & Insurance) and will try my level best to get a job ASAP. And after few years in my job, will see if I want to continue or change my career and I may try the legal field at that time.

Signing Off.