Volunteering and work experience have helped Georgia Sharpe land a role as a conveyancing paralegal.
The De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Law graduate said interviewers at EHL Conveyancing were interested in her law centre work, student society membership and international experience.
"They were the three things they spoke to me most about my CV, they saw them as qualities," said Georgia, who is set to start her job the same week she graduates with a First.
"People do say voluntary and work experience is important and it's genuinely true."
As secretary of the De Montfort University Law Society, Georgia has helped organise networking events and the annual ball.
"It has also helped me in terms of meeting people," said the 22-year-old. "I've made friends for life."
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Georgia volunteered at the Cumbria Law Centre, a community organisation offering free legal advice and representation, earlier this year.
She also got an insight into Hong Kong law - including meeting a high court judge and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Court of Final Appeal - during a trip offered through the #DMUglobal international experience programme.
"The main thing I learnt was how to network with legal professionals, DMU alumni and lecturers," she said.
Georgia sought advice from the #DMUworks careers team to help prepare her CV. After a successful phone interview with the solicitors - part of the EHL group with offices across the Midlands - she sought help for an assessment day from Susan Rees, career development manager (Law).
"Susan was amazing," said Georgia, "I can't thank her enough.
"She boosted my confidence and gave me helpful advice about researching the company and group tasks."
Georgia was 'over the moon' to hear she had landed the job, which offers the chance to train as a chartered legal executive.
"The vibe at the assessment day was friendly and welcoming and I can't wait to start," said Georgia.
"I'm very excited about graduations too."
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It's almost three years since Georgia first joined DMU. Born and brought up in the Lake District, she took a year out after A-levels to explore Australia and earn money ahead of starting university.
Having always had an interest in law, she chose to study at DMU because of the 'general feel on campus'.
"It has a friendly atmosphere and there is always something going on," she said.
Georgia's favourite feature of the course is the teaching style.
"Seminars enabled you to put what you learnt in lectures into practice," she said. "They were smaller groups and everyone could contribute."
Favourite modules included Equity and Trusts, which plays a pivotal role in British property law, and Intellectual Property Law.
"Joining DMU is the best decision I've made," added Georgia.
"I have worked really hard but the support from staff and friends has been amazing."
Posted on Friday 19 July 2019