Tag Archives: law

Cherrina, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services,

Whilst in her first year, Cherrina applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to be mentored by a Partner at Ropes & Gray LLP. At the time of their mentoring partnership, this mentor was focusing on private equity, public and private M&A and innovative special situation deals. He also provided advice on all aspects of domestic and cross-border M&A transactions and on a broad range of corporate finance, joint venture, restructuring, and corporate governance issues.

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Cherrina benefited from the mentoring experience in a number of ways. She achieved all objectives she had, including improving skills needed for graduate employment and gaining work shadowing. Here is what Cherrina shared with us.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

One of the highlights was going into my mentor’s office for a meeting. Received his comments on application forms, which later helped me secure an open day, was also really great.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into law.

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

It is a hugely useful opportunity if you can take full advantage of it.

 

Nick, Politics and Government

law, Politics and Government,

Law student Nick participated in the Career Mentor Scheme, and his mentor was Head of International and EU Law at the Attorney General’s Office.

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Nick shared more details about the success of his mentoring partnership with us.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

Visiting my mentor at Downing Street.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor was exceptionally helpful in assisting me with guidance for a future legal career. He has given me the opportunity to meet a number of his colleagues, both in and out of Government. Without his help, I doubt I would have been able to decide on a particular career path.

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

The Career Mentor Scheme has given me such a unique opportunity and opened many more options that I never knew were possible. As a result of the CMS, I was able to visit my Mentor at No. 10 and also meet a number of his colleagues who have offered me work experience and further connections. I would urge every student to apply for the CMS as you never know where it may lead you!

Jessica, Law and Legal Services

History, Law and Legal Services, ,

Jessica doing a Law degree was matched with mentor the Director of Legal & Insurance Services at the University of Exeter. A professional with a wide range of experiences, this mentor has previously worked at Bevan Ashford (now Ashfords) as an Associate Solicitor and at the University as as Contracts Manager.

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Jessica achieved many objectives during the six months in which she was mentored. She got help to prepare for her next steps after graduation,  received job hunting resources and help with application forms.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Meeting with my mentor to get to know about her career and the different sections of Law she worked through before getting to her current job.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Showing me how she got to her career has given me inspiration on how to get to this chosen career path myself. My mentor also gave me support and advice during my law internship in Singapore on how to make the most of it.

 

 

Lisa, Law and Legal Services

English, History, Law and Legal Services, , ,

During her final year of doing an English Literature and History degree Lisa had many career paths she could go down. She successfully applied to be mentored by a solicitor at Umbricht Attorneys.

After graduating with a LLB degree from Exeter, this mentor started his career at Pritchard Englefield in London. Firstly, he was a Trainee solicitor and then an Assistant Solicitor there. He progressed in the firm eventually becoming a Head of German Group, responsible for German clients and a Partner before moving to Zurich, Switzerland.

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At the end of the scheme Lisa had some great things to share with us about the positives of the partnership!

What were the highlight of the scheme for you?

A highlight of the scheme has definitely been meeting my mentor at his offices, it was really wonderful to see how his firm operated and meet personally to discuss career options. The opportunity to receive one-to-one guidance was invaluable.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Work experience, network opportunities, insight into the chosen profession, and guidance on how to approach applications/emails.

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

The scheme is an absolutely amazing way to gain insight into a chosen career and receive professional guidance from an expert. It has really helped my job opportunities, make sure you take advantage of it.

Her mentor said:

“Meeting Lisa was invaluable!”

Emily, Law and Legal Services

History, Law and Legal Services,

In her third year, Emily, doing History, was mentored by an Associate  Solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, in the Real Estate, Housing and Regeneration sector.

At the end of the six-month mentoring partnership we got really positive feedback from Emily about the ways in which the scheme had helped her.

Emily received help from her mentor in effectively completing application forms for the Law sector and that was most useful to her in her job search. She also improved her interview techniques through the Career Mentor Scheme and improved her CV with the help of her mentor. On top of that, Emily managed to widen her contacts and find out more about the entry requirements in the Law industry.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I enjoyed meeting trainees at my mentor’s work place, who were informative, friendly and offered great advice.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Helping with applications, and understanding what key words employers were looking for.

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

Definitely go for it, you don’t realise the amazing opportunities this scheme can offer you.

Shiryn, Regulation and Consumer Protection

law, Regulation and Consumer Protection, , , ,

At the end of her penultimate year Shiryn was matched with the Head of Data Protection at Guardian News and Media Group as part of the Career Mentor Scheme.

An Exeter graduate, this mentor has a lot of experience in the Regulation and Consumer Protection sector. He has previously worked at Deloitte as a graduate and then was a Data Protection Manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Regional Head of Privacy at the Royal Bank of Canada. At the Guardian his responsibilities include managing legal data protection/privacy compliance for the Guardian’s operations in the UK, Australia and the USA.

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Here is what Shiryn told us about how the scheme was beneficial to her:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Having my CV checked, speaking to people in a broad range of areas of Law.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Being put in touch with other professionals that my mentor knew and having phone calls with them to discuss their careers and advice.

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

It’s a fantastic opportunity to make contacts that you would have real difficulty meeting outside of the university scheme and is especially useful if you’re feeling confused about your next steps – the insight you get from people already in the industry is invaluable. I would really recommend this scheme to other students as there’s no downside – you gain information and contacts through just a few conversations without having to set aside hours and hours of your life.

Lauren, Law and Legal Services

History, Law and Legal Services, Politics and International Relations, ,

During her third year Lauren, History student, applied for a mentor in the Law and Legal Services sector, in which she was interested in pursuing a career. Her mentor, Group Leader, at Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. LLP has many years of experience in the industry.

After graduating from Exeter, this mentor worked at Simmons & Simmons for five years and then moved to Slaughter and May, where he spent ten years, the second half of the period as a Partner. In 2000 he joined Wragge & Co as a partner and in 2009 he became a Group Leader. As such his responsibilities are to manage a group of 27 partners in three offices and working in the commercial, employment, pensions and projects area.

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Lauren had an outstanding experience being mentored. She achieved all objectives which were set at the beginning of their partnership, including learning about the sector entry requirements and improving her confidence. What she found most useful were the interview tips Michael gave her.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor was very accommodating and made himself available whenever I had any questions. The immediacy of professional advice was invaluable and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing his perspective of the recruitment process as an employer.

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

Absolutely do it! The scheme is incredibly flexible and you are completely in charge of your contact with your mentor – you can work this out with them to suit both of you. You can get invaluable viewpoints from a working professional in a sector you are interested in at the drop of a phonecall or email and may have a contact for life.

Natasha, Law and Legal Services

Law and Legal Services, Philosophy,

During her third year Natasha Methven was looking to enter the Law and Legal Services sector after graduating. Coming from a Theology degree, she applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in order to get advice and help from a mentor in her sector of interest, and she was matched with a Solicitor at Payne Hicks Beach.

This mentor has graduated from Exeter also with a non-Law degree. He did English and then went to the BBP Law School in London. When he joined Payne Hicks Beach as a Trainee Solicitor he did four 6-month seats across four different departments.

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At the end of their 6-month mentoring partnership Natasha told us more about the advantages she got from the scheme: “[The scheme] increased my desire to go into that profession.”

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Being able to attend my mentor’s place of work was highly beneficial as I had a detailed chat with him and also gained a feel for the firm.

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?

It is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into your chosen profession and gain expert advice from people who have been through the same process.

Neel, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services,

Neel Rokad, second-year LLP Law student was matched with a Partner at Ropes & Gray LLP for a 6-month mentoring partnership.

This mentor has worked for a variety of different law firms in his career. He started off at Slaughter and May, where he was first a Trainee and then became an Associate. After spending 11 years there, in 2005 he moved to Wickersham & Tarf, where he spent 3 years as a Partner.

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Neel achieved all pre-set objectives, such as increasing his knowledge of job hunting techniques and improving his personal development objectives. He gave us an insight of his mentoring experience.

Were there any other objectives you achieved?

Getting help on soft skills such as networking.

Please let us know some of the highlights for you during the scheme.

Getting personalised advice on how my mentor got to where he was.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Really helpful advice on how to approach being rejected from interviews etc.

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

I didn’t realise how much the Scheme would help me until I finished. The fact that you have someone who is at the apex of their field taking time out to discuss how you can improve and garner your own success is something that really motivates you.

His mentor also shared with us his excitement for the scheme:

“Neel was delightful and very much looking for advice!”

Anastasiya, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services,

During her second year Anastasiya was accepted onto the scheme. Studying LLB Law she wanted to get first-hand advice about how to get into the industry and she was matched with a Solicitor at Thomson Snell & Passmore.

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At the end of their 6-month partnership Anastasiya discussed with us the ways in which she benefited from the scheme.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

The highlight for me was the personal meeting with my mentor and the help I received with application forms.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the insight into my chosen profession most useful.

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

I’d strongly encourage everyone to apply as this experience is invaluable – mentees can get an insight which is beyond any attendance of an open day.