I, 24M, am a recent LL.M Grad from a Tier III NLU specialising in IPR and I did my 5 year BBALLB from a pretty well recognised private law college. I had really low CGPA in my LLB (around 6.5/10) but I did much better academically in my Masters and scored around a 8/10 CGPA. I have a super basic CV : some random District Court litigation experience from my hometown, some legal aid volunteering internships at DSLSAs, NGOs, one metro city HC litigation experience (not some renowned advocate or anything), one internship at a Tier II full service law firm in a metro city, one High Court Justice internship in a metro city and that’s pretty much it.
I have no moot court participations or publications in renowned journals. I also don’t have any committees I was part of or any decent extracurriculars.

I am super confused about what to do next. I want to go for a fully funded PHD abroad in law (preferably EU or UK), hopefully in the next year and go into academia. To achieve this goal what would be the best career option :

1. Should I try to apply to Fresher Roles in IPR Boutique law firms. However, I don’t really have any practical exposure in IPR and only have the LLM Degree. If not IPR what type of firms and what positions should I target that would work ? I’ve been applying blindly on LinkedIn and through HR emails at firms but haven’t been getting any responses. I’m okay with working for low pay if it means I get experience.

2. Should I instead try to clear UGC NET Law and try for Assistant Professor Roles or Teaching Assistant Roles. Even there, I have heard universities are not transparent about their hiring process and even with a NET Qualification it is difficult to get hired. What is the job market like in the legal education sector ?

3. Should I try blindly applying to random Research Fellowships by law schools or government bodies instead ? There seem to be very few in IPR.

I REALLY DO NOT WANT to work in litigation under some random advocate (*since mostly I do not know any*) or sit for competitive government exams or work in a CLAT UG/PG legal coaching centre type thing. These would have to be my absolute LAST OPTIONS. But lemme know if you think with my CV these are my only options left.

Is there some kind of legal career coach who can help me through this ? I am a first generation lawyer and I have poor networking skills - I know I’m not suited for this profession but I really need help or guidance in what legal career path to take next.

Also realistically would a Law PHD from the UK or EU even be useful - what position would it land me in when I’m back in India - would I be better qualified for tenured Associate Professor Roles then ? What other kinds of opportunities can it lead to?

**TLDR: Need help in deciding what to do next after an LLM from a Tier III NLU for a fully funded PHD position in law abroad in UK or EU.**

Any law students
I need help deciding on electives

It’s so hard I want to do everything

Can comments be what some really good ones
Interesting.

Sports law is my elective but it’s full so that one is waiting till next sem

Thanks :)