Getting plenty of law work experience is vital if you want to become a lawyer – it’ll help you to develop the required skills and learn whether it’s the right career for you Law tutors.
Organize informal work experience with high street legal firms before going to university. This could be a couple of weeks spent work shadowing a solicitor and carrying out general office duties. Placements like this, arranged independently, look good on applications for law degrees.
During your studies apply for formal work placements. These include vacation schemes at law firms, which take place during academic holidays, and mini-pupillages in barristers’ chambers.
Other ways of gaining useful experience include undertaking pro bono work (advising and representing people on a voluntary basis), court marshalling (sitting with a judge for a few days) and getting involved in your university’s law or debating society.
‘There is also the online platform Forage, which provides valuable work experience as well as a certificate of completion that is recognized by many law firms,’ says Keith. ‘ ‘Citizens Advice is also a great way to develop your soft skills, they provide fantastic training and give you the opportunity to help members of the public overcome difficult circumstances.’