Jamie is a solicitor apprentice at Specsavers. His advice to others considering the apprenticeship is “Just do it! Whilst it is genuinely hard work, it is a great pathway into law, and I cannot see a downside for anyone”. Find out more about his experiences so far in this case study.
Why did you choose to do the solicitor apprenticeship?
I have always wanted to be a lawyer, but the cost of it growing up meant I took a different career path. Through working for Specsavers, I was given an opportunity to become a legal executive, which for various reasons, changed mid-flight, and would have meant Specsavers having to invest thousands of pounds more than expected when I started the journey. The solicitor apprenticeship means we can make use of the Levy fund, so there is no additional expense to Specsavers, and I (hopefully) end up as a qualified solicitor.
What do you think are the advantages of qualifying through an apprenticeship as opposed to more traditional pathways?
There are so many! On a personal note, there is no significant personal outlay compared to university, nor do I finish it with a mountain of debt to repay. I get to earn whilst learning, so no additional pressure on my family life. I am getting real life experience of the topics rather than just an academic understanding, so can start to apply my thinking in a practical way from the get-go. I get to speak to people already qualified on a regular basis, and can learn from their experiences of studying, as well as being lawyers. Finally, it has helped me get experience of working in other teams, which is not only helping me to learn, but also see and experience different ways of working in different areas of law.
What have you learned and how has the apprenticeship impacted on you so far?
Academically I have learned a lot, whilst professionally I have had to become an expert in time management. I have also learned to not limit myself to one or two ways of thinking and working. Find the way that works best in that situation and do that!
What impact do you think you’ve had on your organisation during your apprenticeship so far?
My manager would say that simply being the first legal apprentice at Specsavers is a significant step in itself – I will always be the first to show it is possible! Working together, we have grown and learned how to get the best out of the process for all involved. The business is now looking to apprenticeships as a genuine way of finding the best people to join the team who can then be upskilled, rather than relying solely on more traditional recruitment processes in the job market.
How have you found the apprenticeship and working with Damar Training and the BARBRI learning platform?
I have loved it! It is so hard, and you absolutely do have to be committed. The BARBRI platform is very new to me, and it took me a while to get my head around it, but it feels like it is working – we’ll find out for real in January when I sit my first exams! The online lectures are great, as are the books. I really enjoy the MCQs as these really do challenge your understanding whilst giving you feedback on the answers as you go. The support from my coach, Jagjeet has been amazing, as have the workshops with Dan.
What are your future career plans?
Get qualified, keep doing what I’m doing work wise, and help others who want to go down the same route.
What advice would you give to other people considering the apprenticeship?
You absolutely have to be genuinely driven to succeed, be self-motivated, and able to manage your time. It is a long-term commitment, and some days are easier than others to get into it. With that in mind though, my biggest message would be to just do it! Whilst it is genuinely hard work, it is a great path into law, and I cannot see a downside for anyone.
What advice would you give to new solicitor apprentices commencing their programme?
Make sure you have a great support network, even if all they do is give you the space you will sometimes need to get through it. That goes for family and friends as well as at work. The cohort I am in started a WhatsApp group very early on, so we have been able to bounce off each other, whether that’s for support or to discuss a particular point. Most of all though – believe in yourself. There are times when it will feel like you are completely out of your depth, but if you can call on your support, trust in the process, and simply keep on going, then you will be ok.
Want to find out more?
If you are interested in the solicitor apprenticeship for yourself or your business, you can find out more or get in touch.