I wasn’t one of those people who always knew what they wanted to do. But when I started my Law degree and began to develop my legal skillset it became clear that a career in the legal profession was the right choice for me.

I like problem-solving and analytical thinking – and working in a team. These were the things I enjoyed when I was studying English at A-level and presenting arguments in my university’s mooting society. In fact, it’s these experiences that sparked my interest in a legal career. I’m looking forward to starting my Training Contract at A&O even more because I know that these skills are the ones that I’ll be using to help clients. I can’t wait to apply everything I’ve learnt to real-life deals.

Looking back at university, I’m glad that I embraced a diverse range of opportunities not only because they enhanced my learning experience, but they also helped me to develop a clearer understanding about the kind of work that would interest me. I knew that I wanted a career where I could make a real impact – I didn’t just want to pick something that would look good on my CV.

When I looked into commercial law and A&O specifically, I knew it was what I wanted to do. Working on complex deals in a fast-paced environment suited my skillset and taking on big cases for well-known clients matched my interests.

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Even though I enjoyed my Biochemistry degree, I knew that I didn’t want to pursue it after university. It was only when my laboratory supervisor suggested I look into a career in law that I considered it a real option. At first, I thought that the skills I’d learned from my STEM background might not be relevant to law, but I quickly realised that wasn’t the case. I’ve already seen the benefits that my analytical research skills can bring to clients.

During my Vacation Scheme, I worked on an urgent restructuring deal for a client in financial distress. The deadline was short and the workload was high, but that’s when my research skills came into play; despite the pressure, I was right in my comfort zone. I quickly completed the case law research and contract analysis, making sure that the client had exactly what they needed. Without a doubt, it was the skills from my STEM training that got me the results.

I was excited to see my skills applied to work outside of scientific research. That’s one of the reasons that I’m so excited to start my Training Contract: the variety. Across four different seats, I’ll get to try different practice areas and see where my skills are most well-suited.

I think lots of STEM students are simply unaware of the opportunities they have in the legal profession. As an ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors, an organisation that works to increase diversity in the legal profession, I’ve seen how valuable it is to support people from a non-law background through the application process. STEM students are an example of just one group of candidates who could bring so much to our firm. I’m so glad that I am part of a firm that values the unique skills that STEM students bring to the table.

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When I was looking into potential careers, I knew I wanted something that was going to be fulfilling, enjoyable and promising for the future. It was a long process: I considered journalism, medicine and several other careers, but it was my time on the A&O Vacation Scheme that made me decide to apply for a Training Contract.

My experience on the Vacation Scheme was unconventional, but it was exactly what I needed to help me decide my career path. I sat within the Corporate team, and at the time they were very busy with an urgent deal. Because of this, I ended up having four different supervisors over two weeks. This gave me the chance to get involved with different projects, meet people across a variety of areas and even spend time working alongside a Partner.

The best thing about it was getting a real sense of what it would be like to work here. I saw everything that goes into successful transactions, from researching legislation and drafting documents to proofreading contracts and handling administrative tasks. I knew about that before the Vacation Scheme, but seeing it first-hand helped me understand what it’s really like.

Choosing a career is about planning ahead. On the Vacation Scheme, I got to see how much A&O invest in the future, whether it’s developing software to optimize structured transactions, continuing their international expansion or diversifying their workforce. Having spent a year working for Rare Recruitment who partner with A&O, I’ve seen how the firm is striving to recruit top talent from all backgrounds by making their hiring process more inclusive.

I’m confident in my decision to join A&O – it’s an exciting first step towards a fulfilling career.

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