Passing the SQE Is Only Half the Battle

Passing the SQE is only half of the battle.

The less talked about challenge is what comes after: building qualifying work experience and starting again.

Before moving into law, I spent seven years in accounting and finance. I had experience, qualifications, and a relatively clear career path. I knew how to do my job and what was expected of me.

The challenge is becoming a beginner again.

Starting over is not easy. Many career changers will know what this feels like.

You go from being experienced in one profession to being inexperienced in another. The skills, credibility and trust you had have to be rebuilt.

There is also the financial aspect of career change that does not get discussed enough.

Changing careers is expensive. I knew about the exam fees and study materials, but there was also the opportunity cost of time and the uncertainty that comes with changing direction.

What keeps me moving forward is knowing that a career is more than income to me. It is about the work I want to do, the problems I want to solve and the credibility I want to build over time.

Staying on the same path may be the right decision for some. But sometimes the greater risk is remaining on a path that no longer aligns with where you want to go.

I am still in the process of changing careers.

If you are also going through a career change, or thinking about one, I am happy to connect and talk about it.