Preparation, employability experience and a proactive approach to networking on LinkedIn have all played an important role in helping Kent law student Hena Pagoo secure a \u00a35k Bar Course Scholarship from Gray\u2019s Inn.<\/p>\n
The William Shaw Scholarship<\/a> from Gray\u2019s Inn, one of four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call members to the Bar of England and Wales as barrister, will help fund Hena\u2019s training to become a barrister. And the next step in her training, once she graduates this summer, is the Barrister Training Course (BTC) at BPP London.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the experience of her online interview for the Gray\u2019s Inn panel of three barristers, Hena said preparation was crucial: \u2018I made contact with a number of barristers I had connections with to proofread my application. A number of these connections were made via my increased use of LinkedIn during the pandemic. The application process took time, which was reflected within my application.\u2019<\/p>\n She also spoke with the Law School\u2019s Employability and Placements Manager Jayne Instone about what could be expected of the scholarship interview: \u2018I found it useful to collate all the potential questions the panel might ask and also kept up to date with the legal news generally, and the current issues facing the courts. Following this, I proceeded to doing mock interviews with friends to get some practice in.\u2019<\/p>\n Hena was understandably nervous about her interview on Zoom but said she tried to let her personality shine through by being herself. She said: \u2018They questioned me on which area of law I wanted to practice in as a barrister, what obstacles I had faced in my journey to the Bar, as well as what made me so sure I wanted to pursue a career as a barrister and not a solicitor. And I was given a choice between two topical questions, with my choice being \u2018should the courts have remained open during lockdown?\u2019<\/p>\n Hena had been inspired last year to set up an \u2018Aspiring Barristers\u2019 initiative<\/a> on LinkedIn to help overcome the problem of networking during multiple lockdowns. Hena said: \u2018The \u2018Aspiring Barristers\u2019 initiative featured in my scholarship application. It was important that I showcased how fantastic the initiative has been and it was useful for highlighting my continued efforts at gaining insight into the Bar during a pandemic. Whilst the opportunity to discuss this further did not arise during the interview, it was a significant element within my written application, which I believe really helped my application stand out.\u2019<\/p>\n Other employability experiences that helped Hena stand out included her work as a Kent Law School Ambassador and her involvement with the University\u2019s Employability Points (EP) Scheme. Hena said: \u2018The skills I have obtained from supporting the Law School with Applicant Days and other events allowed me to develop skills that are pertinent to a career as a barrister, including public speaking. More generally, being involved with the EP Scheme gave me the opportunity to discuss with the panel my upcoming mini-pupillage with Stour Chambers in Kent.\u2019<\/p>\n After her interview, Hena said she felt disappointed with how her interview had gone and was certain she wouldn\u2019t be awarded a scholarship: \u2018So to receive the email from Gray\u2019s Inn to say I was successful was an indescribable feeling. It\u2019s amazing to know I am supported by the Inn and that they saw value in my qualities.\u2019<\/p>\n Hena has aspired to be a barrister since studying her A levels in Law, History and French: \u2018I did a lot of debating and public speaking, judging advocacy to be suited to my skillset. I then took the necessary steps to begin pursuing a career as a barrister. The first step being to apply to Kent to study Law.\u2019<\/p>\n Later this year, when Hena begins her BTC, she will also begin applying for Pupillage at Chambers: \u2018I am generally interested in civil law given my mooting experience in this area. I will be studying civil procedure as part of the BTC, and hope to explore this further. Family law is also of interest to me owing to my work experience. Though, I am aware that studying these areas of law at theory level is different to practice. At this stage, I am keeping an open mind \u2013 as a number of barristers have told me to do.\u2019<\/p>\n And finally, we asked Hena if she had any advice to share with fellow aspiring barristers – here are her top three tips:<\/p>\n Learn more about Hena\u2019s student experience at Kent:<\/p>\n\n
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