Category Archives: Law and Legal Services

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.

natasha

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.

neel

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.

anastasiya

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.

Liberty, Law and Legal Services

Classics and Ancient History, Law and Legal Services,

During her second year Liberty wanted to get career advice and guidance in getting into the Law and Legal Services sector. Studying Ancient History Liberty applied for the scheme, looking to be matched with a mentor in her desired sector. She was matched with a barrister at Lamb Chambers in London.

An Exeter graduate, this mentor has previously worked at 11 Stoke Buildings and Tanfield Chambers. Since 2007 he has been in a position at the Lamb Chambers, where he is a professional in general civil litigation.

liberty

This is what Liberty shared with us at the end of the 6-month partnership:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Being able to go and visit my mentor and get a more in depth experience and knowledge about working as a barrister in London.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having open access to an individual with all of the knowledge of everything law based that I didn’t understand and who was able to explain and simplify it to me.

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

Whether you are certain, or not, about what you want to do in the future, the Career Mentor Scheme gives you the freedom to explore your interests in a relaxed and environment, with one-to-one advice.

Lucy, Law and Legal Services

Career Sector, Degree Subject, economics, Law and Legal Services, Politics and International Relations, , ,

Lucy, a second year Economics and Politics student who was looking to go into Law was matched and mentored for a period of six months by an experienced lawyer who graduated from a Politics degree at Exeter 10 years ago and has since then worked at three different law firms: TWM LLP, Irwin Mitchell LLP and currently Stephenson Harwood LLP in London. law-order-1240301

Lucy shared some insights from her experience with us:

What did you find most useful?

Insight into my chosen profession as I am currently not studying law.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

My highlight was visiting the office in London. It was great to be shown round and loved seeing inside a real law office whilst they were working. The offices were extremely impressive and showed what can be achieved in the law profession.

What objectives did you achieve?

I received a greater insight into the profession and had really interesting conversations with trainees in the graduate scheme. This gave a further insight I wasn’t expecting but was very helpful.

What message would you give students thinking of applying for the career mentor scheme?

Make sure to meet up with your mentor early on so that it is easier to communicate and develop a personal connection.