After graduating from my Law degree, I was puzzled as to how I will obtain my first job – what will it be, where will I work, will I even obtain a TC?! All these questions were filling my mind space and making me worried. I had already started volunteering at Citizens Advice (read my blog post on that here) but I wanted to work and gain more legal work experience.
After waiting around for a while and contacting some of my friends, I undertook 2 weeks of work experience at a Law Firm in central London. Luckily enough, they were looking for an office junior/legal admin and I was looking for a job. After assessing my performance over the 2 weeks, they offered me a permanent job and I continued to volunteer at CAB.
What was the role?
I started off as Office junior which is essentially taking care of the firm, taking phone calls, collecting the post and DX, filing and archiving. Before you know it, I was really interested in the areas of law that the firm was doing, so my workload starting to grow!
Although the role wasn’t all fun and games, I was being exposed to the exact type of experience I wanted, and it was my first job!! Sometimes you have to make some compromises for the long run.
What did I do?
I worked on mainly property transactions, drafting letters to various solicitors and liaising with clients. I contacted clients directly and banks, drafted legal documents and proof-read them. I was involved in a few litigation cases which were interested and attended the Probate Office and the Royal Courts of Justice. I wanted to continue to learn and grow and I think this passion was visible and taken advantage of!
Did I enjoy it?
Until today, I am able to use examples of my work at the firm in interviews and on my CV. I learnt a lot of skills and gained invaluable experience. Although I did a lot of administrative tasks (and the milk runs!)
I would recommend gaining work experience in areas of law you are interested in. That way you gain more exposure and have more reasons to make your decisions for university modules, for example or training contract seats.
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