Dear readers,
Hello, and welcome back.
I must first apologise for our absence over the last few
months. I’m sure you are all able to understand that exam revision had to take
priority, and as the queen of procrastination, my laziness eventually backfired
on me, when I realised that I’d have to actually sit down and make all of those
notes I’d been putting off all year!
So after exams, Lexie and I both went off on holiday
(separately). Whilst Lex was drinking her way through the Guinness factory in
Dublin, I was relaxing on a white sandy beach in a five star Caribbean resort
(not that I’m bragging or anything..!).
A lot has happened in the legal world while we’ve been away,
things we’d have liked to have posted on, but couldn’t for those reason’s
mentioned above.
But four 1st’s and two 2.i’s later, we’re back!
First, let’s take a minute to remember Hugo Chavez and
Margaret Thatcher. It’s too late now to provide a commentary on their careers,
and a wealth of information is readily available on google, but lets raise our
glasses (drinking, not eye) to two modern, pioneer politicians….
Minute over. Back to my blog…
I thought I’d start this post by providing some tips for things
to do in summer holiday.
(Please remember, Lexie and I write this blog as we experience
things, so whilst I will try to cover ground for students at most levels in
their academic training, this will be geared mainly towards first years.)
First and foremost, enjoy the weather! It’s 30 degree’s
outside, and none of us are getting any younger (though when I was 21, someone
did tell me I looked 15. Made. My. Year!), so despite needing that all
important internship, take some time to explore the country, catch a few surf
waves in Cornwall, go horse riding along the Ridgeway, or sit in one of the royal
parks. No one will begrudge you at interview for simply saying, ‘I enjoyed my
summer!’ (In fact, they will probably be secretly jealous).
Next, get some experience. Commercial experience is the
best, particularly if you are at an early stage in your career. It shows that
you possess business acumen, and have a broad appreciation for how the world
works, even if your life’s greatest ambition is to be a janitor (please do not
construe this as my mocking the custodial profession). Anyhow, this is a law blog,
so even if you want to be a criminal lawyer, it’s still worth your while to
demonstrate commercial aptitude.
Some students may have been bright-eyed and quick enough to
have secured a spring insight internship with a law firm, bank or professional
services firm. However, given that the majority of us are not quick-thinking-enough,
and the lack of advertising for these positions, and the small number of places
offered, said students would most definitely be in the minority.
With this in mind, an alternative would be to approach a
local high street firm, and ask them if you can work for free. This could
involve anything from making coffee and taking out the garbage, to filing
reports, improving your skills by carrying out legal research, or even shadowing
a partner! I know it sounds boring, but it could look invaluable on your CV,
and with a little tenacity and creativity, you could end up making some really
valuable connections; for example, I got an internship purely by drawing
attention to the girl behind the drinks table that a barrister wanted a glass
of wine!
Next, how about volunteering abroad?
Go and teach English at a Tibetan Monastery (or the more
generic: China, Thailand or Vietnam); volunteer at an orphanage in Mozambique;
campaign for AIDS awareness in Ghana or Tanzania; volunteer at a legal centre
in South Africa; learn to dive in a marine conservation project in Costa Rica,
Mexico or Belize. The opportunities are endless! And with three months
volunteering on your CV, you’ll have loads to talk about at interview, and it
shows you have a shred of humanity in this dog-eat-dog, cut-throat profession.
The value of such endeavours’ are multi-fold:
·
For starters, you’ll get to explore another
country. I’ve been lucky and I’ve been travelling round the world. But I’m also
aware, that the majority of people have not had this opportunity, and probably
never will, outside of annual holidays with either your friends or your parents
(or your friend’s parents.. pa da pum pum pa!) – if that! So getting to explore
another country in depth will definitely be an experience you’ll remember for
the rest of your life
·
You’ll do a good deed, which will make you feel
good
·
You’ll develop cultural awareness, which will
help in the professional world, as no matter what your career, you will meet
people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Learning how to be sensitive to them
will help your career enormously, and make you a more likeable person
·
You may learn another language. Particularly if
you choose to work in China or Latin America – Spanish and Mandarin are hugely
advantageous in today’s competitive climate
·
It shows strength of character: it’s difficult
to go away to a foreign and strange land by yourself, and it requires great
independence, motivation and forward planning.. all qualities sought after by
top firms and chambers
·
You
probably won’t have the money directly to hand. Therefore, some sort of
fundraising will likely be required. For example, you could have a party, or a
bake sale. This shows commitment, the ability to market your event,
organisation in setting it up and making sure it runs smoothly, and the ability
to handle the finances after it’s over, which demonstrates commercial acumen
(as well as utilises some of the what you learned way back in Maths GCSE)
·
Furthermore, financial forecasting can be
demonstrated by handling your finances when abroad: making sure you have enough
to live off for the duration of your trip, as well as travelling on weekends,
or even after the project is over (this includes paying for your flight and
insurance and the cost of the project)
If volunteering abroad isn’t your thing, or you don’t have
the ability to make it happen, then how about volunteering in your home
country? This can be anything from helping out at your local church, temple,
mosque or community centre, to helping at a hospital, or a retirement home or
even volunteering in a charity shop. It may sound mundane, but you’ll meet a
lot of interesting people and possibly get to hear some amazing stories, as
well as give someone a little happiness.
Alternatively, if you’re strapped for cash and still want
some experience, how about getting a job! Anything you get will be valuable, including
something in retail. In fact, if you are able to keep a job down while you
study, this shows employers that you are able to achieve academically despite
obvious constraints (financial and social), whilst keeping motivated, organised
and managing your time extremely efficiently.
Getting a job in retail gives you many transferable skills,
some of which I have listed below. And if you do a good job, they may ask you
to come back for the following summer!
Ok readers, that’s it for this post, but I’ll be posting
very soon on exam results and how to proceed. I’ve set up some links to volunteering
websites that you may find useful
Over and out!
