Sarah Pearson Law LLB, First Class Honours, 2014
Trainee Solicitor, Clyde & Co LLP
The teaching is great because the law school are acutely aware of the need for their students to get jobs in a very competitive market.
Why did you choose to come and study at Southampton?
I decided to apply for the LLB at Southampton due to the excellent reputation of the law school, the friendly atmosphere, the fact it is a campus based university and as the course structure appealed to me.
I am very glad that I chose Southampton as it provided the perfect balance between work and social life.
I achieved a first class degree and obtained a training contract but still had a fun and active social life.
What were your Southampton `highlights' (best experiences)?
The social side of things such as the law ball and the summer law boat party!
What other activities did you take advantage of while at University?
I was part of the Law Society and Inns of Court Society (Moot Secretary in my first year and Moot Vice President in my second year). This enabled me to get involved in different events and to meet new people.
I also raised money for the Bar ProBono Unit and Law Works by dressing up as Santa and selling candy canes around campus!
During my studies, I worked part time at Southampton General Hospital volunteering on the wards and in the hospital school. This enhanced my CV and taught me key communication skills.
In addition, I tutored around 12 different students in law (up to degree level) and some students in English (up to A level). This helped fund my social life but also taught me useful skills.
I was also a student mentor and regularly got involved with law school events, such as career fairs.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
I really enjoyed the seminar based approach to learning as this gives you the opportunity to debate complex legal issues with others and really test your own knowledge of the subject.
What have been the highlights of your career to date?
The highlights of being a trainee are: the ability to work for a number of people and experience different working styles; and the opportunity to get involved with a whole range of interesting cases.
The biggest highlight of my training contract was running my own case to trial.
How did your time at Southampton help you to grow as a person and help you to where you are now?
Southampton didn’t just teach me the black letter of the law, it taught me how to debate and apply the law to problem scenarios. The course taught me how to think for myself.
The teaching is great because the law school are acutely aware of the need for their students to get jobs in a very competitive market.
What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?
My top tip for students currently studying the LLB is to work hard but also remember to enjoy university life and get involved with as much as you can.
Join societies and develop interests as this reduces stress from work and can also add to your CV to make you a more attractive candidate to future employers.
What tips would you give to current students looking to start a career in your sector?
Keep your mind and options open. I originally wanted to be a criminal barrister but am now due to qualify as a solicitor this summer wanting to work within the aviation liability team at Clydes (an area of law I had never even considered at university)!
Apply for jobs that you will genuinely enjoy and follow your gut instinct!