One of the most important factors I have found within law, is to have valuable contacts and networks. These contacts can provide advice and support and help to widen your existing networks. Using your networks effectively can put you miles ahead of anyone without them.
Today, I met with an old family friend who had 50 years experience within legal practice. I wanted to meet up to be able to have a personal, down to earth conversation about the reality of life within legal practice. This is exactly what he gave me.
He talked about how he has dealt with difficult cases, which can often be very harrowing on your personal life. We chatted about the differences of locations, firms and sectors. And most importantly the value of working with all types of people as a team in a wide community.
I found this meeting so helpful! It was wonderful to have an honest point of view from an experienced practitioner without professional or promotional barriers between us. It helped to confirm my views of the legal practice and build my confidence in myself that I was on the right path and going the right way about it.
I'd recommend an opportunity like this to everyone. You can ask any questions you like and respond just as freely and openly as you like, which you may not be able to do in work placement. It provides a real chance to understand the nitty gritty bits of your future profession which you may not have learnt until much later. It's a great preparation technique for reality.
If you don't know anybody personally, either link up with somebody in the profession on twitter or through small local firms. You'd be surprised how willing and supportive so many people are. Their career is important to them and they will be flattered you felt you could ask them. Although don't expect everything, they do have to keep some degree of professionalism.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Joining YOS as an Appropriate Adult.
YOS stands for the Youth Offending System. Acting as an appropriate adult involves acting as a neutral support to under age offenders. Working from a rota, attending police interviews with the offender, providing advice and support.
I wanted to get involved with this as it would provide invaluable experience for my future career in law.
Alongside this I am so excited about the opportunity to help make a difference and offer the support that the young offenders need. It is important to me that I help provide equal opportunities to as many people as possible. Therefore, acting as an appropriate adult alongside my work as an ambassador at university provides me plenty of opportunities to act on this belief.
So, today I had the interview at the county hall in Leicester. I was asked about why I wanted to take part in the scheme and about my previous relevant experience. Alongside running through a CRB check they seemed more than happy to have me on. The interview was very positive and I'm looking forward to starting training in September.
I wanted to get involved with this as it would provide invaluable experience for my future career in law.
Alongside this I am so excited about the opportunity to help make a difference and offer the support that the young offenders need. It is important to me that I help provide equal opportunities to as many people as possible. Therefore, acting as an appropriate adult alongside my work as an ambassador at university provides me plenty of opportunities to act on this belief.
So, today I had the interview at the county hall in Leicester. I was asked about why I wanted to take part in the scheme and about my previous relevant experience. Alongside running through a CRB check they seemed more than happy to have me on. The interview was very positive and I'm looking forward to starting training in September.
Saturday 21 April 2012
Open day at Birmingham College of Law...
10.30 this morning, I arrived at the College of Law in Birmingham. After arriving by train and walking around the back of the business sector I was a little dubious about its surroundings (and I've always counted environment as a main selling point).
However, within 2 minutes of being inside the building, I quickly realised looks aren't everything.
Met by a confident student we were led to the reception for refreshments. This was quickly followed by a short talk introducing the course, it's structure and expectations. Integrated into the talk a recent student from the GDL course recounted her own experience. All of which was extremely helpful.
Importance was placed upon the benefits they provide to students through the Careers Service, Student support and their excellent involvement in the Pro Bono system. I'd already joined their 10 step career guide so I knew how resourceful they were.
Something I took away with me was the excitement and passion of the lecturer , 'law is with us everyday, even just buying your coffee or a train ticket.'
It has confirmed my desire to work within the legal practice and heightened my excitement!
The college itself seems well structured and efficiently run, with the knowledge of what the students need. I made sure to note a couple of names down of tutors, staff and graduating students so I could get in touch later.
Something which caught my eye was the French exchange programme. This is exclusive to the Birmingham and Chester branch. The exchange is over one month in different legal practices in Lyon. Such a wonderful experience! And gives me the opportunity to practice my french from my evening classes.
Because of this experience I have confirmed law is right for me. I have begun to increase my knowledge of different sectors and Pro Bono schemes I may want to be part of in the future. Although exams and coursework seem less than my university experience so far, the preparation and level of self teaching is far greater!!!
The core sectors taught for this GDL is ; tort, crime, land, public, contract, EU, equity and trusts. Particular emphasis was placed on the depth of land and crime and how land particularly can provide basics for other sectors. Public law was highlighted as a much more discussion based module which I look forward too. Also something which seems unique to the college is its focus on practice based learning which will be so valuable for my future career!
So Birmingham seems a definite possibility and I would be delighted to go there. I'm looking forward to comparing the branches of Bloomsbury and guildford. But I will still be exploring what BPP can provide.
Next stop, Bloomsbury.
However, within 2 minutes of being inside the building, I quickly realised looks aren't everything.
Met by a confident student we were led to the reception for refreshments. This was quickly followed by a short talk introducing the course, it's structure and expectations. Integrated into the talk a recent student from the GDL course recounted her own experience. All of which was extremely helpful.
Importance was placed upon the benefits they provide to students through the Careers Service, Student support and their excellent involvement in the Pro Bono system. I'd already joined their 10 step career guide so I knew how resourceful they were.
Something I took away with me was the excitement and passion of the lecturer , 'law is with us everyday, even just buying your coffee or a train ticket.'
It has confirmed my desire to work within the legal practice and heightened my excitement!
The college itself seems well structured and efficiently run, with the knowledge of what the students need. I made sure to note a couple of names down of tutors, staff and graduating students so I could get in touch later.
Something which caught my eye was the French exchange programme. This is exclusive to the Birmingham and Chester branch. The exchange is over one month in different legal practices in Lyon. Such a wonderful experience! And gives me the opportunity to practice my french from my evening classes.
Because of this experience I have confirmed law is right for me. I have begun to increase my knowledge of different sectors and Pro Bono schemes I may want to be part of in the future. Although exams and coursework seem less than my university experience so far, the preparation and level of self teaching is far greater!!!
The core sectors taught for this GDL is ; tort, crime, land, public, contract, EU, equity and trusts. Particular emphasis was placed on the depth of land and crime and how land particularly can provide basics for other sectors. Public law was highlighted as a much more discussion based module which I look forward too. Also something which seems unique to the college is its focus on practice based learning which will be so valuable for my future career!
So Birmingham seems a definite possibility and I would be delighted to go there. I'm looking forward to comparing the branches of Bloomsbury and guildford. But I will still be exploring what BPP can provide.
Next stop, Bloomsbury.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
First stepping stone...
I attended a lecture a couple of months ago on networking. One of the main ideas put across was the importance of social media. By using Twitter, Blogger and Linkedin I can introduce myself into networking circles, professional communities and voice my relevant opinions, thoughts, interests and experiences.
So that is what I've done. My first stepping stone to becoming connected and involved within the professional world. I'll keep track of all the benefits I gain from this, so watch this space.
Twitter: @BecciSmart www.twitter.com/BecciSmart
Linkedin: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/beccismart
So that is what I've done. My first stepping stone to becoming connected and involved within the professional world. I'll keep track of all the benefits I gain from this, so watch this space.
Twitter: @BecciSmart www.twitter.com/BecciSmart
Linkedin: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/beccismart
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