Bridie Smith - Graduate Case Study
Bridie Smith graduated with a History degree and then went on to complete her graduate diploma in Law and a Legal Practice course at the University of Law before becoming a Paralegal for DWF.
What does your job involve?
- Support various practice areas including commercial, real estate, employment and banking.
- Assist commercial solicitors on files by drafting legal documentation including letters of claim, witness statements, particulars of claim and instructions to counsel.
- Oversee residential sales for the real estate department through managing my own case load.
- Supervise other paralegal work as I am at the highest paralegal career level.
- Collate bundles for court and drafting indexes.
- Undertake data subject access reviews.
How did you get to where you are today?
I applied through the firm’s website – it is usually a straightforward process applying to be a paralegal. I had to upload my CV and the interview was competency-based.
Three things you like about the job:
- Building rapport with internal and external clients
- The team environment
- Range of instructions varying from drafting exercises including letters of claim, witness statements to managing house sale transactions.
What skills are important in your job? Did your degree help you?
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Working in a team
- Working independently
- Working under pressure
Studying history helped me to build on these skills, particularly when writing my dissertation and managing deadlines in my final year.
What work experience / volunteering did you do to help you secure the role?
I carried out pro bono work whilst at the University of Law and I obtained work experience and mini pupillages at law firms and barristers’ chambers. This stood me in good stead to apply for paralegal jobs alongside the transferable skills I gained studying History at undergraduate level. I am currently applying for training contracts to become a solicitor.
What advice would you give to other history students to improve their employability?
Reach out to people – LinkedIn is a great way of connecting with others in the sector you’re looking to go into, and many will be willing to help. I reached out to an in-house lawyer at Everton Football Club as I am interested into going into contract law at a sports club and she invited me to go to the Everton office in the Liver Building for a chat.
Support from the Student Futures team
If you want to talk about potential careers options with your degree, need help finding opportunities or want support with your CV, application forms or preparing for an interview, you can get advice and guidance by booking a 30-minute 1-2-1 careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures Team. You can also come along to a Careers drop-in or CV Café which take place weekly at the Careers Zones for quick careers queries.
If you are thinking about starting a business, freelancing, pursuing a side-hustle or have an idea that you want to explore further, email the Start-up Hub and a member of the team will be back in touch. For more information about the Bathgate Boost Award, visit the Start-up Hub website.
For help finding part-time, temporary or casual you can fit around your studies, email the Unitemps team or visit their website.