How does an LLM give you an edge in the post-pandemic world?

LLM in Post-Pandemic World The shake-up that the Covid-19 pandemic caused has affected our lives in numerous ways.

For many, it has sparked a season of reflection on careers. Since 2020, more people are taking the time to re-evaluate their careers and think about what could set them apart in a challenging job market. Pursuing postgraduate studies is one popular option to improve or change career trajectories. But how exactly can a graduate degree, specifically an LLM, give you an edge in the post-pandemic world?

In this article we explore four ways that an LLM could bring you closer to your dream career and life.

Network with knowledge specialists

We all know that making new connections is an integral part of achieving success in the legal industry. Whether it’s meeting new clients or rubbing shoulders with your potential next employer, networking is key to thriving in the legal sphere. Unfortunately, the pandemic has meant that for safety reasons, in-person networking events have been axed entirely or ar the very least, downsized. While Zoom networking events have become popular, we have to admit that it’s harder to make a genuine connection with someone you’re meeting for the first time via a screen. Luckily, an LLM can bridge the gap and allow you to continue making valuable connections and set you up for after the pandemic wanes. Pursuing an LLM means having direct contact with academics in the field who are experts in the law. Speaking with knowledge specialists can help you understand your own career aspirations better. You never know, they may be able to put you in touch with the people who can help you to make your next career move, and this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Make the most of student life

Arguably the greatest benefit of an LLM is the chance to meet like-minded peers. During the course, you’re going to be spending a lot of time studying and socialising with your classmates. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more from their experiences and aspirations. Maybe you’ll even end up being colleagues in the future. Also, pursuing an LLM means that you can tap on the university’s resources to build connections. Most universities have strong alumni networks and employer-led career events. Talking to LLM graduates who’ve been in the same position as you can be especially helpful to understanding how to make the most of your postgraduate qualification. Employer-led events also allow you unique opportunities to explore your options in a low-pressure setting. As the saying goes, “your network is your net worth”. An LLM could help you raise your social and academic net worth drastically and put you in a better stead to excel in the post-pandemic world.

Become a legal specialist

Despite the upheavals to working life that the pandemic has caused, it's also presented a silver lining. For many, the pandemic has become an opportunity to clarify their career goals. The past few years have allowed people to discover what exactly they want to achieve in the course of legal work. On the employers’ end, legal specialisation is increasingly seen as an asset. As firms restructure in the post-pandemic era and crystallise their specialties and priorities, the demand for legal specialists is on the rise. If you’re working in the legal field and want to focus on one area of law, then an LLM is the perfect way for you to deepen your knowledge, while meeting the changing demands of the industry. As job roles evolve due to the pandemic, employees with a skill set beyond what’s printed on the job description, will surely stand out and in this way an LLM can really improve your job prospects.

Make the switch; become an attorney

If you weren’t a lawyer before, an LLM qualification on your CV could help you get a foot in the door to do in-house legal work. For example, if you’d previously worked in tech, an understanding of data protection regulations could help you transition to doing legal work for a tech firm. This would allow you to make the most of your prior career experiences and your newly-acquired academic knowledge simultaneously. Studying an LLM will provide you with a host of additonal new skills. For example, it will allow you to hone your critical reading, writing and analytical skills, as well as enhance your report-writing skills. This will raise your confidence and credibility when pitching to clients, and inform your analysis when delivering presentations. If you’re thinking of becoming an attorney, an LLM will set you apart from the many candidates who did their undergraduate studies in law. Importantly, An LLM qualification can also come with a pay rise, something we surely can’t complain about. In a hyper-competitive post-pandemic marketplace, an LLM could help you clinch your dream role, or give you a leg up for a promotion.

Writer: Alisa Maya is a graduate student at the UCL Institute of Education.