|
“Work Experience!” I remember my careers teacher proclaiming in her ever-enthusiastic tone at the beginning of Year 11. We all groaned at Mrs Good’s ‘word of the week’-‘organisation’ (“Girls, it’s crucial to get writing your letters as soon as you can!”) The set fortnight after our GCSEs seemed like years away, besides, we had the whole exam season first.
However, I heeded the warning, took note of the advice, and found myself sitting at my computer in November, trying to ‘think up’ a career. I knew I wanted something ‘English related’ but unfortunately that doesn’t quite narrow down the list of possible professions sufficiently enough. To the amusement of my friends, one of my heroes is Huw Edwards of BBC News fame; I had dreams of shadowing Huw on the 10 o’clock news for a fortnight, or working behind the scenes at ‘Panorama’, or writing some stop-the-press article for ‘The Times’. I confided my mother in my plans. She laughed.
Needless to say, my first two letters I reeled off and clipped to copies of my CV were to the BBC Headquarters and The Times Newspaper. I was slightly abashed on receiving letters, though very polite letters, of ‘rejection’, saying fifteen was a little too young and despite being impressed at my CV, they really sought at least undergraduates. Once again, I took up my position at the computer.
After similar replies from a local newspaper and a regional newspaper, I changed my battle plan. Inspired by my fascination with ‘Crimewatch’ and Jodi Picoult’s legal novels, I thought ‘how about Criminal Law?!’ I logged onto the wonder that is Google and searched for local solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers, sending letters to several establishments in Sheffield.
My first reply was an offer of a week at a Sheffield solicitors’ office, ‘Taylor and Emmet’, if successful at an informal interview. I was delighted, and telephoned to arrange the meeting (by this stage it was March). I set about searching for a suitable placement for the second week. I received an enthusiastic response from Ms Dorrell at Bank House Chambers, a leading Criminal Barrister at the Sheffield Crown Courts, with an offer for my second week, work shadowing her. I was excited at the prospect.
I met Mrs Heathcote, a Partner at Taylor and Emmet Solicitors, at the beginning of May. I am fortunate enough to be quite confidant at new people in new situations, so the idea of an informal meeting didn’t particularly daunt me. I enjoyed chatting and answering her questions, regarding various aspects of my CV, and my interest in the legal profession (“What criminal offence do you consider the worst?” “Why Law?” and suchlike.) I was honoured to learn that I was an exception to their conventional practices as they normally only offer ten one week placements a year to people at least at University. I received my timetable for the week in the post following the meeting.
Again following Mrs Good’s sound advice on the importance of smart dress and being well turned out, I visited Marks and Spencer’s for a suit (an experience in itself!) and awaited my first week, with Ms Dorrell.
It was a whirlwind of visits to the Crown Courts to sit in on hearings, and following a GBH (Grievous Body Harm) court case for a couple of afternoons, reading case notes, meeting clients (some in their cells!), and living the finer aspects of a barrister’s lifestyle too (!) like lunching out with other lawyers. I became really enthusiastic about one of the cases that Ms Dorrell was working on- after the first day, I caught an even earlier bus into work than necessary into work each day and studied the notes, police interviews, and other written and photographic evidence involved in the case.
Ms Dorrell and the other Bank House Barristers were all really friendly, complimentary, and accommodating, and after my work experience had finished, Ms Dorrell invited my family and I to her house for Sunday lunch- a custom carried out by Bank House barristers with their ‘pupils’. It was a brilliant week.
I had been warned not to be disappointed if my work at Taylor and Emmet was mainly ‘photocopying and filing’, and carry out my tasks nonetheless with enthusiasm, but it was quite the opposite anyhow. Taylor and Emmet do not handle criminal cases, but have specialists in every other legal area, and it was interesting to observe how a solicitor works in comparison to a barrister. I was assigned to a different department each day-Personal Injury, Wills and Probate, Family Law, Publicity and Marketing, and Employment Law. Every solicitor I worked with was generous with their time and talked through their work with me. I did a little of the expected filing, but I was also allowed to sit and read case notes, (which, as I said, find very interesting), sit in on meetings with clients and sometimes take file notes for the solicitor, visit the family courts, edit and proofread the firm’s publicity magazine, and, (using a template), even write a will!
At both places I was treated as an adult, as a colleague, with respect. The experience gave me several contacts for the future, and the lawyers and clients alike all had advice and encouragement to offer. I studied English Literature, History, Philosophy with Ethics and Spanish for AS level, and, after I finish Sixth Form next year, I hope to study English at University. Inspired by my work experience, I hope to then take a Law Conversion Course, specialising in Criminal Law.
Quite simply, I loved the fortnight-it was a hugely rewarding experience and an excellent insight into the legal profession, as well as a real motivation to work hard in order to achieve my goals. As for advice I would give to a pupil about to embark on their work experience, firstly, start writing your letters early and don’t be disheartened by letters of ‘rejection’- everyone receives them. Enthusiasm and making a good impression is vital; this includes smart, appropriate dress, performing tasks well, despite how ‘boring’ they may appear, being friendly, arriving on time…all common sense. Thirdly, have fun and take something positive away from your experience. You may end up doing some random things, (one morning I was entertaining a toddler whilst his mum had a meeting with my supervisor and found myself playing puppets and ‘doing the voices’ sat in a suit in a solicitor’s office,) but you will definitely learn something from your experience, even if it is just that that certain career isn’t for you!
Helen Jones, Sheffield High School |