From lectures to legal: why placements matter

Hi, I'm Immar.

I want to share my experience of completing a work placement during my time on the LLB (Hons) Law course. I could have studied the four-year programme, which included a placement year, but instead, I opted to study the three-year programme and secured a placement myself whilst still studying.

Preparing for applications and interviews

Throughout my second year, we attended several career fairs and lectures where lecturers and guest speakers offered advice on finding placements and interview techniques. This background knowledge and preparation were invaluable when writing my cover letter, applying for roles, and preparing for interviews.

Starting the search

I found myself feeling a bit anxious as I felt I lacked legal experience. I then decided to start the search for a placement and similar work experience opportunities.

In March 2024, I secured my first placement. This was a major step for me and I worked in this role from March to September 2024 before beginning my paralegal role. This placement was unpaid and didn’t have a set end date like many typical placements.

First impressions

My first day on placement was quite different from what I expected, and I was immediately thrown straight into practical work. Learning legal theories and applying them to real-world situations are two very different things. My duties for the day included drafting four letters of advice and even attending a client meeting.

My advice to anyone starting a placement is to approach it with an open mind and avoid setting yourself strict expectations.

Adjusting to the workplace

I found the first few weeks quite challenging as I'd entered a completely new environment and had to quickly adapt to the workplace culture. Every workplace is different, and during a placement, you need to adjust to the specific culture and boundaries of that organisation. To help with this, I often observed senior staff members and sought guidance from colleagues who had completed placements before me.

The importance of being proactive

A key lesson I quickly learned is that to succeed and make the most of your placement, you must be proactive.

I’ve seen my fellow coursemates secure excellent placements but then simply sit and wait for work. In my opinion, this limits learning and development.

For me, being proactive and asking for opportunities made a huge difference to my placement experience. Many of the staff were extremely supportive and provided me with training, but ultimately, they also had their own responsibilities. Therefore, I had to demonstrate initiative, apply what I’ds learned and show senior staff I understood the work.

Career impact

For me, the placement wasn’t just about gaining work experience; it was a stepping stone to understanding the legal industry and developing the skills needed for success. I firmly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today or have the practical understanding I have without it.

Take my advice

Overall, I highly recommend completing a placement, whether through the University or independently. They offer invaluable experience and help develop the skills for future permanent roles. Working in the legal sector also deepened my understanding of professional conduct and procedural ethics, which has been incredibly helpful in both my professional development and studies, especially in solicitor ethics.

Your future doesn't start at graduation.

It begins on placement. With real cases.

Level up your experience and find out more about placements.