Applying for a training contract can be both a daunting task and an exciting process. Indeed, one of the most refreshing aspects of the training contract or apprenticeship is the diversity of age and legal experience within each cohort. Despite these differences, everyone faces the commonality of change.
I began my training contract in September 2024 and I am currently in my first seat. In this blog post, I reflect on my training contract experience so far and how I have adapted to change.
One of the first things I had to adapt to was the change from university study to legal practise. Whilst studying the SQE does begin to pivot your mind in a way so as to focus on the practicalities of working in law, the nature of study still leads your mind to assess issues in an academic way. However, from the moment you begin your training, it is important to think both practically and commercially.
For example, whilst knowing the difference between a fixed and floating charge is useful legal knowledge, understanding what works best for the client in the circumstances and being able to apply the knowledge creatively (and commercially) to meet their needs is essential.
This change is made easier by the structure of the training contract itself. For example, until the first seat of my training contract (in the Banking and Finance team), I had not undertaken any banking legal work. However, learning about the subject by undertaking hands-on work has honed my ability to think practically about legal concepts.
The second key change I have encountered is working in an office environment, something which was a novelty for me. This initially felt like one of the most daunting aspects of working at a law firm, particularly due to the learning curve of using new IT systems and law-firm specific technology. However, I have enjoyed working in the office environment and quickly adapted to the Firm’s IT systems.
The Firm’s offices are open plan and use a hot desking system. As a result, one day I could be sat next to a partner and the next be sat with a fellow trainee. Whilst this may initially seem unnerving, it is nothing of the sort. Colleagues are very pleased to answer any and all questions I have, and they always have time to provide support and guidance.
Whilst it is a big change to go from studying at university to working in an office environment, the opportunity to interact with a wide range of colleagues and to work collaboratively with others should not be shied away from.
Being from Yorkshire and going to university in Durham, the biggest change I encountered was moving to Exeter. Undoubtedly, getting my bearings in a new city whilst starting my training contract was a challenge but it is one that attracted me to a training contract at Michelmores in the first place.
The change has offered me the opportunity to undertake my training contract in a unique part of the country that few other firms could offer – who wouldn’t want to finish a day’s work and be able to go to the beach afterward?
Change is part and parcel of starting a training contract and it is, naturally, quite daunting. However, I hope this short blog has highlighted some of the opportunities and exciting aspects of change that should be embraced.
