Celebrating Graduate Success

Anthony May graduated with an MLaw (Exempting) degree in 2023 and is now a trainee solicitor at Sintons LLP, a commercial law firm based in Newcastle. He is also a Trustee and Director of the national charity Changing Lives. 

Anthony actively engaged with Graduate Futures Careers support during his law studies, benefiting from tailored one-to-one careers advice appointments and events and workshops. Anthony recently returned to Northumbria University to support the Graduate Futures IGNITE programme. IGNITE is a career and employability programme designed to help students kickstart their future career through a series of workshops that boost confidence, leadership, networking and team working skills. Anthony contributed as a panel member to a session focusing on the topic Imposter Syndrome. This provided students an opportunity to hear about and learn from first hand experiences and strategies that can help overcome internal doubts that can hinder professional and personal lives.     

Anthony had several challenges and personal commitments during his time at university, including being a registered carer for his grandfather. This meant that despite the amazing opportunities that were open to him outside of the region, particularly in London, he could not leave the North East.  

Anthony accessed Graduate Futures careers support, utilising careers resources and engaging in one-to-one careers guidance appointments with Andy Fishburn, Employability Partnerships Careers Adviser. This tailored support helped Anthony to see the opportunities in the region and the opportunity to build his career in the region he loves.  

During university he took part in a number of extracurricular activities. This included running the North East JLD, a Junior Lawyers Division supporting a community of junior lawyers who can get involved in social and educational events, networking opportunities, recruitment talks and support for members. Anthony also launched a social mobility charity for the legal profession whilst working in a number of roles simultaneously alongside his caring responsibilities.   

Anthony’s Reflections 

"I know how hard it can be to juggle these things. I think the support of Northumbria University - particularly from my personal tutor and Graduate Futures - have allowed me to excel and take on the roles and responsibilities I now hold. In addition to my role as a trainee solicitor, I am also a trustee and director of a national charity (Changing Lives) which has given me the opportunity to use my lived experience of homelessness to benefit our wider society. There is no doubt in my mind that Northumbria Law School and the Graduate Futures teams are partially responsible for me thriving in spite of the adversity I have faced. It helped me to become the person I am today. I strive for continuous self-development and I think the law school and Graduate Futures provided an important platform to allow me to be my best self ." 

Anthony’s Careers Tip 

"Believe in yourself. Do not measure your success against others, measure it against your own values. You will get to where you want to be."

Have you accessed Graduate Futures support and have a Graduate Success Story to share? If so, we would like to hear from you. All you need to do is send an email to the Graduate Futures Team with the subject ‘Graduate Success’ and a note that you are interested in sharing your success story and we will be in touch. You can also visit the Graduate Futures 'Graduates Like Me' page which features graduate insights and tips for success.