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“I had never considered Law until my final year at university. All through school, I enjoyed science and played a lot of sport so always thought that I would become a physiotherapist,” says Joanna who left The Maynard in 2016. However, during her professional placement year at Bath University (where she was reading Sports Science) she worked as a rugby Sports Medic and Physio Assistant and, although she enjoyed the year, she realised it wasn’t what she wanted to do long term. “After my undergraduate, I was looking into my next steps and my cousin suggested a masters in Law. So, I enrolled on the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at the Bristol campus of the University of Law which I started full-time in 2021. At the same time, I was also applying for paralegal jobs and was fortunate enough to be offered a role fairly quickly at an international firm called DAC Beachcroft. I felt the role was too good to turn down, so I moved my GDL online and started working full-time as a paralegal, whilst also continuing my full-time degree. As tough as it was, it placed me in a good position when applying for future jobs, having already gained a year of legal experience. “I now work at a globally ranked top 20 firm, CMS, in the Insurance Reinsurance Group. I have completed my Solicitors Qualifying Exams One and, later this year, I will complete my two years of Qualifying Work Experience needed to qualify as a solicitor. “When I was at The Maynard, I never expected to have to re-take a year of my A-levels due to mental health, then I never expected to get three years into what I thought was going to be my career and decide it wasn’t for me. But I wouldn’t change any of it! My advice to anyone who is undecided about what they want to do is not to stress too much. Although it’s important to work hard, you really don’t need to have everything figured out yet (even though I know it can feel like everyone else around you does!).” #goingplaces #solicitor #law #sportscience #paralegal #universityoflaw

maynardschoolexeter (@maynardschoolexeter) posted on Instagram August 04, 2023 17:00