The industry I am in is always changing. Not the industry my company is in, but the one I am in. There is a difference, because the department I am working for is just a small department in my entire company. The reason it is always changing because the rules used to be stricter where practitioners are concerned but now have been relaxed somewhat.
For instance, years ago, during my parents’ time, anyone who graduated locally or overseas (by this it means England) would be able to practice. There were some who started as clerks then worked the way up, then studied part-time and finally got the qualifications and could practice just like that. Even during my cousin’s time (which was like fifteen years back), anyone who graduated from part-time studies could practice. My cousin and his wife went in based on results alone, no interview or written test.
Then there was a period of time when the requirements became very stringent. So part-time studies were not recognized anymore. The number of recognized universities from England reduced to just a mere fifteen. And in order to enter the course locally, besides grades, one had to go through an interview and a written test.
Not only that, one had to graduate locally with at least a second class lower honours and a second class upper honours for overseas before they were allowed to practice. Which was why many of those who graduated overseas but with just a second class lower honours were not able to practice when they came back here.
However, in recent years, the rules are less stringent. The number of recognized universities have increased, allowing graduates from some of the American Ivy League universities, as well as the better universities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and even Hong Kong, to be able to practice here, provided they graduated with a second class upper honours.
Now, even those who graduated from the recognized British universities with a lower second class honours are allowed to practice. Good news to those who only had second class lower honours from the recognised British universities! So some of my friends who graduated from England with second class lower honours and had to be resigned with non-practicing work, finally went on to do the appropriate examinations and got their practicing licenses.
One reason could be that many practitioners have left the industry. They went on to set up bakeries or restaurants, or teach yoga, or simply do whatever they liked. I know of someone with a first-class honours and a Masters but went on to become a recruitment consultant. My ex has a first class honours, yet he has never practiced ever since graduation. He went on to do something which most people would deem as “beneath” him, much to the chagrin of his lecturers.
Some of my friends have also left the practice to go in-house, or simply go into consultancy work. Some of my peers also left the industry to go into business, or pursue a Masters in something else. Thus, the number of practitioners have dwindled. Which is why now more and more are allowed to practice, despite not meeting the requirement.
Even companies nowadays do not require a real practitioner to do in-house work. My own counsel herself graduated from an American university that is not recognized here. She had been practicing in America before moving back here but she is not able to practice here. However she can be hired to do in-house work, and drawing the appropriate pay as a practitioner.
Seeing the trend, this bodes good news. The future is yet uncertain, but I believe one of these days, the requirements will be relaxed even more, especially since now there are two local universities offering the course. Perhaps one day I really should just go all out and complete my qualifications. But that will be when part-time studies and “mature student” entry routes are recognized. Until then, I just have to be satisfied with whatever I am doing now.
For instance, years ago, during my parents’ time, anyone who graduated locally or overseas (by this it means England) would be able to practice. There were some who started as clerks then worked the way up, then studied part-time and finally got the qualifications and could practice just like that. Even during my cousin’s time (which was like fifteen years back), anyone who graduated from part-time studies could practice. My cousin and his wife went in based on results alone, no interview or written test.
Then there was a period of time when the requirements became very stringent. So part-time studies were not recognized anymore. The number of recognized universities from England reduced to just a mere fifteen. And in order to enter the course locally, besides grades, one had to go through an interview and a written test.
Not only that, one had to graduate locally with at least a second class lower honours and a second class upper honours for overseas before they were allowed to practice. Which was why many of those who graduated overseas but with just a second class lower honours were not able to practice when they came back here.
However, in recent years, the rules are less stringent. The number of recognized universities have increased, allowing graduates from some of the American Ivy League universities, as well as the better universities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and even Hong Kong, to be able to practice here, provided they graduated with a second class upper honours.
Now, even those who graduated from the recognized British universities with a lower second class honours are allowed to practice. Good news to those who only had second class lower honours from the recognised British universities! So some of my friends who graduated from England with second class lower honours and had to be resigned with non-practicing work, finally went on to do the appropriate examinations and got their practicing licenses.
One reason could be that many practitioners have left the industry. They went on to set up bakeries or restaurants, or teach yoga, or simply do whatever they liked. I know of someone with a first-class honours and a Masters but went on to become a recruitment consultant. My ex has a first class honours, yet he has never practiced ever since graduation. He went on to do something which most people would deem as “beneath” him, much to the chagrin of his lecturers.
Some of my friends have also left the practice to go in-house, or simply go into consultancy work. Some of my peers also left the industry to go into business, or pursue a Masters in something else. Thus, the number of practitioners have dwindled. Which is why now more and more are allowed to practice, despite not meeting the requirement.
Even companies nowadays do not require a real practitioner to do in-house work. My own counsel herself graduated from an American university that is not recognized here. She had been practicing in America before moving back here but she is not able to practice here. However she can be hired to do in-house work, and drawing the appropriate pay as a practitioner.
Seeing the trend, this bodes good news. The future is yet uncertain, but I believe one of these days, the requirements will be relaxed even more, especially since now there are two local universities offering the course. Perhaps one day I really should just go all out and complete my qualifications. But that will be when part-time studies and “mature student” entry routes are recognized. Until then, I just have to be satisfied with whatever I am doing now.
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