Four reasons why you should say yes as a Law Student!

The legal sector is notoriously competitive. From applying to university all the way through to diploma and traineeship selection, competition characterises the law school experience. As a student I have struggled to secure summer placements, and it is easy to become disheartened. The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time that affected us all and lockdowns forced me to become more innovative in the ways I gained experience The disruption set me on a learning trajectory where I have learned one of the most important professional development lessons thus far; the importance of saying yes!

Next time you are tempted to pass up an opportunity remember to consider your reasoning, it could lead to an amazing opportunity!

Imposter syndrome can plague the legal profession, fuelling self-doubt and undermining confidence. It is easy to list reasons why you may be underqualified or not the sort of candidate employers are looking for. But, that doesn’t mean it is necessarily true! Saying yes means you are open to moving beyond your comfort zone and reverses the default ‘no but’ way of thinking. So, embrace every application and rejection and don’t let setbacks discourage you!

In addition to overcoming imposter syndrome, saying yes is the best way to take what you have learnt outside the classroom and improve upon practical skills. I recently accepted a position within an access to justice charity and it was not like anything I had done before. Initially this was an intimidating prospect, but I have had some of my most rewarding experiences from this role. Again, this was through sending speculative applications to firms and organisations that interest me and accepting roles which might have originally seemed daunting.

There is no better way to gain insight into the profession and recruitment process than from those who have done it themselves. Networking is invaluable and saying yes to it, allows you to establish relationships you may not have otherwise. You would be surprised how many busy professionals are willing to engage with the next generation of lawyers and offer authentic, honest advice.

Fundamentally, saying yes is an opportunity to enrich your personal, cognitive and social development. There is a misperception that experience is only valuable when working directly with legal professionals. However, your CV can be significantly enhanced by gaining transferable skills from varied experiences.

Part time jobs, extra curriculars and volunteering are all ways of gaining fundamental experience which can give you working examples in application and traineeship interviews. There are opportunities on campus, in your part time job and through hobbies you enjoy so don’t think just because they are non-legal, you should say no to them. It’s a great way of creating opportunities which go hand in hand with your interests and lifestyle.

Saying yes has many advantages and knowing when to say yes can maximise those benefits. However, the importance of saying yes extends beyond enhancing your CV. It is essential to prioritise your own health and wellbeing and saying yes to ‘me time’ is equally if not more important than commitment to professional development. Reward your hard work, take breaks and establish clear work/life boundaries where possible.

The road to success is not straightforward and I have come to learn that progress goes in hand with failures and rejections. Putting yourself forward for these opportunities is a good way in positioning yourself to succeed. When you do feel like saying no, reflecting on this can be important for your own personal development. Understanding why you feel the need to turn something down will allow you to feel confident when you know saying yes is the right decision.