The UWE Futures programme provides a work experience and mentoring programme at local law firms for final year undergraduates to support access and inclusion within the legal profession.
As well as Clarke Willmott, law firms Osborne Clarke, Burges Salmon, Simmons & Simmons, Foot Anstey, RPC and Bevan Brittan are involved in the programme, plus University of the West of England offering their own placements.
UWE student Yasemin Cengiz says she has developed a strong understanding of business development marketing, as well as boosting her self-confidence and personal networks during a five-day internship at Clarke Willmott.
Yasemin, a third-year law student, is one of six young people who worked in Clarke Willmott’s Bristol office.
The programme was designed to directly help students who may find it challenging to enter the legal and professional services market and to increase representation in the Bristol legal sector.
Students participate in a paid one-week internship, receive mentoring support for the remainder of their studies and have the opportunity to be offered a guaranteed interview for a suitable business services role.
Yasemin was partnered with Clarke Willmott’s BD and Marketing team for the week, getting to grips with marketing principles and working on tasks to provide content that can be shared to promote the UWE Futures programme to other students.
“I attended several meetings with the team, which provided a good understanding of everything they do, as well as a speed networking session where I met people from various teams,” says Yasemin.
“However, I was still able to see several lawyers at work and had the opportunity to speak with newly qualified solicitor Millie Bradshaw, who had been in my shoes not long ago.
“Everyone I spoke to in my five days at Clarke Willmott commented that it has a great culture and a genuinely welcoming environment. It’s quite an exciting new experience for me to be in an office and it was certainly a big help when it comes to building self-confidence and a network.”
Daniel Jones, director of HR at Clarke Willmott said: “We’re delighted to be able to continue supporting UWE Futures, which serves such a vital purpose in helping to provide a gateway into a legal career for so many promising students such as Yasemin.”
Posted: