Tag Archives: law

Olivia, Advertising, Marketing and PR

Advertising Marketing and PR, Geography, , ,

Olivia, a Geography student, had carried out multiple work experience placements in a variety of sectors but wanted to learn more about the possibilities of employment with a BA Geography degree. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Olivia was matched with a Senior Business Development Executive for Pinsent Masons, International Law firm. This mentor’s previous work experience includes BD Assistant and Admissions and Communications Officer.

“It opens your eyes into the world of work and applications”

Olivia achieved many objectives including how to write professionally, maintaining contact with people, and improved her knowledge of further education related to this sector.

Here is what Olivia thought about the scheme:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

They sent me their CV which meant that I could use this as a template when writing mine and they gave me good and useful constructive feedback on my CV.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the profession and understanding what a Geography BA from the University of Exeter can enable you to do.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Do it because it opens your eyes into the world of work and applications and really allows you to learn about different work sectors.

Joanna, Science

Law and Legal Services, Medical Sciences, Science, , , ,

Joanna, a Medical Sciences student, was passionate about the science and technology industry and wanted to investigate a career in computational biology and law. Her aims of the Career Mentor Scheme were to receive guidance on how her two passions of law and science could be combined into a future career. Through the scheme, Joanna was matched with a Chemistry alumnus who is now the Head of Unit at the European Patent Office based in Austria. Nigel has also worked for the Ministry of Defence, at the University of Surrey after completing his PHD and as a Research Scientist.

“A new perspective”

Joanna achieved all of her objectives including help with interview preparation, advice on pursuing a PhD and received academic support from her mentor.

Joanna talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Help obtaining a new perspective on my future career plans.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector, and how many paths there are into this career.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

You will not regret it.

Gerard, Law and Legal services

law, Law and Legal Services,

Gerard, a Law student, was interested in a career with a multi-jurisdictional law firm and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about breaking into the industry. Through the Scheme, Gerard was matched with a Trainee Solicitor for Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. His role involves drafting and negotiating agreements, managing checklists, and drafting advice notes. His previous work experience includes SJ Berwin, Linklaters and even the Metropolitan Police Service.

“Everything worked well – the experience has been beneficial”

Gerard achieved all of his objectives including receiving first hand insight into the profession, receiving an office tour, and increased his knowledge of job hunting resources in the sector.

Gerard talked about his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Receiving application form tips and corrections ahead of applying for vacation schemes.
  • Arranging to meet my mentor in London at the Norton Rose Fulbright offices.
  • Gaining a valuable contact in a career sector that is important to me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Networking Opportunities
  • Applications Advice
  • Insight into my year abroad

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Certainly apply with a detailed, enthusiastic application: find a mentor in a relevant sector, be polite and friendly and gain as much from the help on offer as you can.

Amanda, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services, ,

Amanda, a Law student, was interested in a career in Law after completing multiple work experience placements and identified a need to learn about the recruitment process of graduate-level law jobs. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Amanda was matched with a Solicitor for Irwin Mitchel, specialising in the Medical Negligence Team. This mentor has also worked as a Solicitor for Slater and Gordon and a Trainee Solicitor for Coffin Mew LLP.

“The mock interview was a fantastic opportunity to improve my skills and try to ease my nerves.”

Amanda achieved all of her objectives including improving interview technique, structuring cover letters and gaining open day tips.

Amanda described her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The mock interview was a fantastic opportunity to improve my skills and try to ease my nerves. Meeting for a career focused chat for the first time was really useful and reassuring. Confirmed the type of law I wanted to go into.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen profession.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

I would definitely recommend this to gain insight and industry specific advice as well as practical tips from someone with the relevant experience.

Ryan, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services, , , ,

Ryan, a Law student, knew that he wanted to specialise in Corporate or Patenting Law but wanted to build up a network and become familiar with the working life in the legal profession. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Ryan was matched with a Senior Patent Examiner for the European Patent Office. This role involves using speaking three European languages and keeping up to date with worldwide changes. This mentor has a Physics PhD and has worked for Epson Cambridge Labs and the Physics Department at the University of Exeter.

“It helped me decide whether or not I wanted to go into this field”

Ryan achieved many objectives including receiving help to improve CV, increased knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector and increased knowledge of how to create an effective application form in this sector.

Ryan shared some insight of his experience;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I found that being able to talk to someone that came from a background besides law was really cool especially since they were in intellectual property which I am really interested in.

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

I found that the insight into the sector was really useful and helped me decide whether or not I wanted to go into this field.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It is really useful and helps you explore a profession from an informal point of view and in a friendly atmosphere.

Ryan would recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to a friend and intends to stay in contact with his mentor.

Rachael, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services, , ,

Rachael, a Law student, had been researching a career path at the bar prior to applying to the Career Mentor Scheme. She already had work experience as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal and Claims Handler, but wanted to receive first-hand advice about the career path and receive networking advice. Through the scheme, Rachael was matched with a Barrister for Guildhall Chambers. This mentor specialises in commercial law and financial disputes, and, has also worked for Lloyds Bank as an in-house Legal Advisor.

“Go for it, even if the person you would like to be your mentor is intimidatingly brilliant”

Rachael achieved all of her objectives for the Career Mentor Scheme, including receiving academic support, widening her contacts and networking opportunities and received work experience/ job shadowing.

Rachael shared her experience of the scheme:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Visiting my mentor’s chambers was fantastic and also watching him in court in Cardiff and in London courts.

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

Mainly insight into my chosen profession and work experience.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Go for it, even if the person you would like to be your mentor is intimidatingly brilliant, still apply and try. Don’t let the odds of a rejection worry you, it’s always worth a shot.

Kirby, Politics and Government

History, Politics and Government, Politics and International Relations, , ,

Kirby, a History student, applied for the Career Mentor Scheme after considering a few different career paths such as law, politics and working in the Foreign Office. Through the scheme, Kirby was matched with a Member of Parliament for West Bromwich West in the House of Commons. This mentor wanted to share his experience of the profession and provide some advice and guidance through the scheme.

“It helped me to narrow down my areas of interest, as well as providing great networking opportunities and contacts in the industry”

Kirby met all of her objectives, including being able to narrow down areas she was considering for graduate employment, increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector and improved personal development skills.

Kirby shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Gaining a full tour of the Houses of Parliament
  • Understanding better the relationship between the government and NGOs/the media
  • Forming professional relationships with people at different levels of government

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Networking
  • Confirming for me that I would like to work in a political organisation rather than political party

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The scheme is as useful as you want it to be – if you are dedicated to regularly contacting your mentor and have a clear idea of what you wish to gain from the scheme it can be incredibly rewarding. As someone who was unsure of what they wanted to do after University, this scheme was useful to me as it helped me to narrow down my areas of interest, as well as providing great networking opportunities and contacts in the industry.

Yazmin, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services,

Yazmin joined the Career Mentor Scheme to gain an insight into a career in Law and for guidance on employability skills and applications. She was paired with a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell. Like Yazmin, this mentor studied an undergraduate Law degree at Exeter. She then went on to obtain a training contract and has since worked as a solicitor for several law firms before obtaining her current at Irwin Mitchell.

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Yazmin achieved several objectives, including experience in professional CV writing, obtaining work experience and gaining an invaluable insight into the sector. Here is what she shared with us.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I enjoyed my week of work experience at Slater & Gordon, and felt as though I developed my employability skills during this week. I also gained an insight into what a career in the legal sector may be like.

Also, my mentor was always willing to read my applications and give me constructive feedback on how I could improve them.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The week of work experience.

 What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

This is an ideal opportunity to gain an insight into a career that you may be interested in. There is also the chance to develop employability skills and to gain valuable contacts.

Rebecca, Law and Legal Services

English, Law and Legal Services, ,

Rebecca, an undergraduate student studying English, was looking to gain some support and guidance into Law. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, she was assigned to a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP. Within this role he is focused on private equity, public and private M&A and innovative special situation deals.

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Following regular communication with her mentor, Rebecca told us about the most valuable aspects of the scheme for her. Rebecca met all of her objectives, including gaining a greater confidence for the application process and gaining a training contract.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Every time I spoke or met with my mentor, he always gave me a real confidence boost that helped me persevere through the gruelling application process to become a trainee solicitor. My main highlight was sharing the news of my job offers with my mentor at the end of the summer. He supported and guided me through the decision of which offer to take. My mentor’s advice was impartial and insightful, and I feel that he helped me make the best decision for me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor’s insight and advice were extremely useful, from application/cv proofreading to general advice about self-confidence and personal development. His help didn’t just help with an insight into the industry and finding a job, but with the whole process, including dealing with rejections, interview stress, and balancing my job hunt with academic work and personal life.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Schemes?

The Career Mentor Scheme is invaluable. In building a relationship with my mentor I received honest advice and a genuine insight into the legal profession. I feel that the scheme works best if you are well-prepared and hardworking; your mentor is not there to do the hard work for you, but to help refine your skills and direct your drive so you can achieve your maximum potential. I felt that my mentor genuinely cared about my development, and it was great to have someone in the profession to share both my difficulties and successes with.

Rebecca’s mentor also noted several highlights from the scheme:

“The highlight was Rebecca being awarded a first class degree and then going on to secure a training contract with Allen & Overy.”

 

Deziree, Banking and Financial Services

Banking and Financial Services, economics, law, , , , , ,

Studying towards a degree in Economics and Law, Deziree was keen to get into the Banking and Financial Services. She participated in the Career Mentor Scheme and was mentored by the Managing Director at Barclays Bank.

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Deziree told us more about the advantages of the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I had the great opportunity in meeting with my mentor face-to-face early into the scheme. It had really given us the chance to ‘break the ice’ and get to know each other outside our email and text message exchanges. Finding a job is a daunting task for every University student, so I was very happy to have been paired with a mentor who had faced the same qualms as I did towards entering the employment pool. It was truly inspiring to hear his work experience from the best (investment) banks around the world, whilst keeping me aware of the pros and cons of each job. My mentor was also kind enough to provide me a list of resources to nurture my commercial awareness and knowledge into financial events.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Perhaps learning in particular what the ‘compliance’ job role really entails has been very useful. Despite my embarrassing lack of knowledge on the profession, my mentor had been patient in explaining in depth of what the role not only requires, but also its benefits and disadvantages. His advice had certainly fuelled my desire to learn more about the job and even determined me to pursue a role in compliance.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

I highly recommend joining the Career Mentor Scheme for any student, be it to gain a deeper insight into an industry, receive support in work placement applications or even to chat with a professional. Just from my first meeting with my mentor, I had already received so much useful information into the processes of securing a career and had my many questions about my future in the financial industry answered!