Exploring Law Careers: Jemimah's NCS Experience

By NCS 15/02/2024

Written by Jemimah who is in Year 12 and did an NCS local community experience with The Catalyst Collective in London.

3 min read

I recently embarked on an NCS local community experience with The Catalyst Collective. As part of the experience, I got to visit Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. This turned out to be a journey of discovery, one that opened my eyes to the intricate world of law and left me inspired for the future.

Signing up for an NCS local community experience

I signed up for this opportunity because I wanted to learn more about the different routes and roles when working in a law firm. There are lots of NCS local community experiences happening up and down the country — you can find one in your area here.

I signed up for the Irwin Mitchell Insight Day for several reasons. I wanted to:

1. Immerse myself in a legal workplace.
2. Learn more about different routes into and roles available within a law firm.
3. Understand what a day in the life of a law firm looks like.

Most importantly, I wanted to use this experience as a test to determine if law was my true calling!

A picture of Jemimah, a young woman seated in a conference room with other participants in the background, writing notes in a notebook. She is wearing a blue cable knit sweater over a white collared shirt and has braided hair. A glass of water and a blue pen are on the table beside her, and in the background, a white woman is giving a presentation.

What the day involved

This eye-opening day was busy from start to finish, and included:

Insightful presentations. The day kicked off with a presentation by an apprentice who generously shared invaluable tips on entering the legal profession through apprenticeships.

Meeting professionals. We had the privilege of discussing with two accomplished lawyers who had taken the traditional university path, gaining a glimpse of what working at the Irwin Mitchell's office was like for them.

Scrumptious food. Lastly, a tour of the firm and a scrumptious meal generously provided by the company were part of the itinerary.

The highlights of my NCS local community experience

This enlightening adventure had many highlights for me, here are a couple which stood out:

1: Using my critical thinking skills

One highlight of the day was participating in a riveting debate on the regulation of and issues surrounding e-scooters. For the debate, we had to employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to come up with points in favour or against the motion.

I loved working collaboratively with my team, confidently presenting our ideas and arguments. Though the verdict was a draw, I'm convinced my team won!

2: Meeting Angela Jackman KC

Another highlight was listening to a presentation by Angela Jackman KC, Partner at Irwin Mitchell and a descendant of the Windrush generation, who had been one of the first Black women at her Oxford college. Angela has achieved remarkable success in the legal field despite facing countless challenges. Her story was truly inspiring and I'm grateful to The Catalyst Collective for the opportunity to meet such an amazing woman!

What I learned from my local community experience

What did I learn from my NCS local community experience and my time at Irwin Mitchell? One key takeaway was the flexibility and benefits of apprenticeships:

Apprenticeships which combine real work experience with theoretical learning at a local university.
The revelation that apprenticeships allow you to make money without accumulating student loan debt and while gaining qualified lawyer status was enlightening.
Hearing from current apprentices shattered myths and answered questions I've always had about doing an apprenticeship.

As a result of this experience, I'm motivated to seek more work experience opportunities and explore both university and apprenticeship options.

A group picture of fourteen people standing outdoors on a paved area, with a mix of modern and traditional buildings in the background. The group appears diverse with most individuals smiling and dressed in professional attire such as suits and smart coats. Some are wearing hijabs, and one person is holding a file.

This NCS local community experience has left me with a newfound determination to pursue my dreams. Whether that’s in law or another field, I can't wait to see where the path ahead takes me.

“Believe in yourself, be yourself and do what you want to.” — Jemimah

More about The Catalyst Project

The Catalyst Project pairs young Black women with successful adult Black women in their community in a mentee/mentor capacity.

“Through facing your fears, you can do anything” — Belema of The Catalyst Project

NCS local community experiences near you

The NCS local community experiences are taking place in 2024 all over the country. Why not follow in Jemimah’s footsteps and grab your place today! Or if you're already signed up, tell us all about your NCS local community experience using our online form.

Read about Taz’s NCS away from home experience
Read about Mason’s NCS away from home experience
Apprenticeship Myth Busting With Multiverse