When Faith-Marie Muschette finished her A-Levels, she was looking at university as her next step. “I applied to apprenticeships as a backup,” she recalled, “but when I got the offer from Farrer & Co, I realised this was actually what I wanted to do. I was tired of studying back-to-back. I wanted to enter the working world, earn money while learning, build a professional network and still get a qualification.”
Now, having successfully completed her business administration level 3 apprenticeship and secured a permanent role in the firm’s private client department, Faith-Marie’s journey demonstrates the power of the apprenticeship pathway in professional services.
Development and rotation experience
Faith-Marie was able to benefit from the rotational structure she experienced at Farrer & Co. Over the course of her apprenticeship, she moved through four distinct legal departments, each with its own culture, processes and demands. This exposure gave her breadth of knowledge that most PAs take years to acquire.
“The rotation meant I gained a broader understanding of the firm than other PAs who stay in one department. I could bring fresh perspectives to each new team because I’d seen how things worked elsewhere.”
Mia Holdsworth-Norman, HR Manager at Farrer & Co, observed: “From the outset, Faith-Marie demonstrated adaptability and enthusiasm, embracing the challenges of her first role within a law firm with confidence and a strong willingness to learn.”
Core responsibilities
Faith-Marie mastered the technical demands of supporting legal professionals with impressive speed. Her daily responsibilities spanned the full spectrum of PA work: producing complex legal documents, assembling court bundles, drafting attendance notes, processing financial forms, managing billing procedures and handling specialised residential property forms.
Each task required not just technical proficiency but an understanding of legal processes and client service standards. “I had to learn the firm’s systems quickly,” Faith-Marie explained, “but also understand why things were done certain ways – the legal and regulatory reasons behind the processes.”
Building confidence
Perhaps the most significant transformation Faith-Marie experienced was in her confidence and professional judgment. The open and collaborative culture at Farrer & Co encouraged independent thinking and proactive communication – qualities that Faith-Marie embraced throughout her apprenticeship.
“When I wasn’t sure about something, I learned to ask questions rather than just waiting for instructions. I started offering practical solutions when problems came up.”
Mia Holdsworth-Norman noted this growth: “When faced with uncertainty, she asked insightful questions and offered practical solutions – demonstrating a clear understanding of her responsibilities and a problem-solving mindset.”
Going above and beyond
Faith-Marie’s impact extended well beyond her core PA responsibilities. Her approachable manner and proactive “can-do” attitude quickly established her as a valued member of every team she joined. She looked for ways to contribute to the broader team culture and firm community.
She joined the PA social committee, helping organise the department’s Christmas event. “It was a chance to bring a younger, fresher outlook to the planning,” she said.
During her third rotation she willingly stepped in to provide temporary cover for a PA on long-term family leave. This meant ensuring continuity of service during a critical period, maintaining client relationships and managing complex workflows without a handover period. Faith-Marie rose to the challenge, later supporting the onboarding of the new permanent cover.
Beyond departmental contributions, Faith-Marie demonstrated commitment to the firm’s values through active involvement in FarrerTHRIVE, the employee impact group promoting health, wellbeing and disability inclusion.
Personal growth
The success of Faith-Marie’s apprenticeship was supported by an effective training partnership. Sarah, her apprenticeship coach, provided hands-on support through interactive sessions that made complex material accessible.
Sarah said: “Faith’s confidence grew throughout the apprenticeship. She has great interpersonal skills, building positive relationships in all departments. Faith utilised this to support her learning, discussing the apprenticeship and sharing knowledge. Faith’s project further supported this, she utilised her own experience and focused on how new colleagues could feel more integrated into the business.”
Having completed her law A-Level before starting gave Faith-Marie a helpful foundation. However, it was her attitude – her curiosity, professionalism, and resilience – that enabled her to excel.
And Faith-Marie’s ambitions extend further, wanting to continue her progression within the legal industry, possibly eventually becoming a qualified solicitor.
Conclusion
In a short space of time, Faith-Marie has navigated four demanding legal departments, mastered complex systems, built strong relationships across the firm and contributed meaningfully to workplace culture – all while completing her formal qualification.
As Mia Holdsworth-Norman concluded: “Her professionalism, resilience, and enthusiasm make her an outstanding apprentice. We are proud of her achievements and excited to see her continue to thrive in her career.”