Please tell us about your job role.
I started at DWF as a Paralegal Apprentice four years ago, and am currently an Apprentice Solicitor in Data Protection & Cyber Security in Manchester.
The apprenticeship allows me to rotate around areas of the business to gain an understanding of the different and varied work.
What would you like to achieve in your career?
As an apprentice, the obvious career ambition is to qualify as a solicitor. With DWF's support, I would like to achieve that and to continue to embrace the opportunities presented outside of my job role too.
Is there anything you get involved in at DWF, outside of your job role?
Sharing my experience as an apprentice at DWF 5 STAR Futures workshops, as well as presentations run in partnership with external organisations such as the Social Mobility Foundation, Young Enterprise and the National Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, has allowed me to be part of events which aim to raise the profile of apprenticeships and hopefully inspire young people to consider alternative further education routes.
Through joining DWF's Environment and Sustainability Group, I have also been able to combine my personal interest in environmental issues with DWF's ESG strategy. The group aims to increase the understanding of environment and sustainability topics among colleagues and has also been a great way to meet new people.
What do you like about working at DWF?
As an 18 year-old student, the thought of working at a global legal business like DWF was very daunting at first. Despite this initial apprehension, DWF's commitment to cultivating a supportive environment was apparent even from the first Open Day I attended. Stepping out of my comfort zone is something I have often been encouraged to do – from working on a broad range of matters with senior colleagues to delivering workshops to aspiring apprentices, even extending to going on secondment with a Fortune 500 client. It is in those "scary" moments that I have gained the most. Before I started at DWF, I would never have described myself as a "people person" however working with and learning from talented, passionate and inspiring people is definitely a highlight for me.
