Aspiring lawyers are encouraged to apply to Kent Law School’s Professional Mentoring Scheme for matching with a mentor in the legal profession.
Mentors, many of whom are Kent Law School alumni, volunteer their time to help law students develop their understanding of the legal industry. They may be able to offer advice on: informal career planning; how to develop skills and qualities needed for a career in law; diversity schemes within the legal profession; preparing for interviews for vacation schemes, mini-pupillages etc; what to expect in daily working life as a legal professional; and how to enhance your CV and/or LinkedIn profile.
Mentors work with their mentees for up to 12 months. Most often, guidance is offered via email but many mentors arrange to meet with their mentees and supportive relationships can endure beyond the end of the scheme.
Law School Employability and Career Development Officer Jayne Instone, who coordinates the scheme, said: ‘This is a great way to build a network in law, have your questions answered, get support with applications, understand the profession and achieve success.’
Previous participants in the Scheme have attested to the benefits of a mentoring partnership and/or the networking opportunities afforded by the Scheme:
- Chantal Cohen who gained a mini pupillage, enhanced networking skills and a two-week work experience placement
- Meghan Daniels who gained pupillage less than 18 months after graduating from Kent
- Patrik Jacobsson who secured work as a trainee with a leading firm of international solicitors
- Leigh Leach who secured a training contract with a leading law firm in Kent
- Jessica Luu whose mentoring partnership evolved into full-time employment
- James Mapley who found himself in the enviable position of being able to choose from one of three offers for a training contract
The scheme comprises more than 100 legal professionals working in the UK and in countries all over the world including: Canada; Nigeria; Trinidad and Tobago; Malaysia; and the United Arab Emirates. It’s open to any law school student returning to study at Kent in September 2020.
Full details (and an application form) are available on Moodle (see DP1950 Employability & Career Development). Completed application forms should be submitted to klsprofessionalmentoring@kent.ac.uk by Monday 1 June (but the sooner you apply, the better your chances of finding the strongest match).
Students beginning their studies at Kent Law School in September 2020 are encouraged to watch out for Jayne’s weekly emails and to follow her Employability Blog for news of further possible mentoring opportunities towards the end of this year.