Read Rebecca's experience of choosing an apprenticeship over university.
I have grown massively as a person through the course of the apprenticeship, both personally and professionally. I have gained lots of confidence and now have much more belief in myself and my abilities. I have developed my communication and organisational skills, which have helped greatly in adjusting to my role as an apprentice and allowed me to form great relationships with colleagues.
Taking part in the apprenticeship has given me practical, hands on experience of dealing with cases, advising clients and assisting solicitors to understand how the theory learnt during my studies applies in practice.
I have had the opportunity to work in three different practice groups during my apprenticeship so far, which has exposed me to lots of different types of work, with varying degrees of responsibility. Thus giving me a working knowledge of these areas, and the opportunity to network with clients, barristers and expert witnesses as well as providing a real insight into how solicitors operate and how their roles change across different teams.
In the future, I hope that the level of work experience I have gained during the course of the apprenticeship will be seen as a real positive, and help to set me apart from others who have qualified via the traditional route in a competitive environment.
"I have developed my communication and organisational skills, which have helped greatly in adjusting to my role as an apprentice and allowed me to form great relationships with colleagues."