The Golden Eggs and Glimpses of Light

By Josmi Saji.

Reading time: four minutes.

Here’s the journey of a second-year law student who is proudly Indian and a first-generation university student.

My journey at university so far has had its fair share of ups and downs. The biggest part which surprised me, however, was how much I missed home. The excitement of pursuing higher education had pumped me with adrenaline and giddiness to pass over a few months. However, when it came to essay assessment and exam preparation, I was completely bamboozled. I had no clue how to write problem questions, nor to reference, not even how to write a good law essay as my English literature technique from A Levels could only get me so far.

As a first-gen student, it was also difficult to approach my family on how to support me through my university studies especially as I mostly relied on my semi-decent English language skills. There had come a point where my parents were unable to assist with my university studies, presenting a natural challenge in my academic journey. It was an unknown academic territory which needed to be explored and I couldn’t rely on my parents to hold the torch to guide the way.

So, here’s a few glimpses of light which I would love to share to get less bamboozled by the pursuit of law!

1. If you wish to pursue a legal career, it is never just the degree.

This was rather an abrupt revelation to me when I first started as I didn’t fully understand this concept. I knew that law was competitive, and I knew that I needed to do well on my final exams, but legal work experience or work experience of any matter, did not coincide with my dreams of becoming a lawyer. A better way of seeing it is that everyone is on the same playing field, whether it is to achieve a First Class or a 2:1 grade at university as well as possessing decent A Levels. It’s the different experiences which set you apart from other candidates and are key contributions to a law firm and barristers’ chambers.

2. Any form of experience is good work experience.

This includes past employment and any volunteering you have done. This is due to transferable skills – a truly magical concept, which consists of skills gained in your work experience or projects being transferred into a legal setting where it can be as equally abundant.

Virtual online platforms are great ways to gain certifications, done at your own pace, via various law firm stimulations. An example can be Forage which allows you an opportunity into writing witness statements, forming plea bail applications etc which will better prepare you for the future, whether it be mooting at university or being a proper lawyer.

The Golden Eggs of Law Students

Vacation Schemes and Mini-Pupillages are highly sought after and notoriously difficult to get due to their rigorous applications and high levels of competition. If someone were to get one of these, it can lead to receiving immediate consideration for a training contract (for future solicitors) or Pupillage (for future barristers) which can secure future employment with that law firm or barristers’ chambers.

The only way to secure these golden eggs is to build up your application. Most of the application questions include why you want to be a part of the organisation, and this requires thorough research. For example, Chambers Student is a great way to find a ‘true picture’ of various law firms by former/present employees, deadlines for these golden eggs as well as firm rankings. The website gives an in-depth analysis into a firm or a chamber which is worth sniffing around but of course the real nitty gritty will be on the actual firm/chambers’ website itself. They will regularly publish their internal articles relating to the firm directly and inform you of what developments are in currently underway which you can utilise in your applications to show your piqued interest.

It’s a good idea to see these applications as a love letter to the firm; you simply cannot make it so generic that the love letter could be copied and pasted to every other person. In the same way, one can’t make an application so basic that it could be copy and pasted to every firm. This won’t help the firm understand why you want them and why they’re special to you, otherwise what would be the point in writing to them? One must expel all the reasons why they are in love with this firm, whether it be the personality i.e. the culture of the firm or their generous spirit i.e. pro bono charity efforts and address this love letter application to them personally.