Comment: Why studying law at Northumbria was the best four years of my life

Law School graduate Fiona Hill celebrates employment success and tells Northumbria News her four years at the University were the best of her life.

I am 23 years old and grew up on a farm in Lancashire and attended Westholme School and Sixth Form in Blackburn. When the time came to filling in University applications I really was not sure about what I wanted to do in the future or where I saw my career path headed. Therefore with an open mind I concluded that reading Law would keep the doors open to many vocations. My brother at the time was due to graduate from Northumbria University and having been up to visit him throughout his time there I knew what an incredible and sociable city Newcastle was. Naturally I filled in my UCAS application to Northumbria University for a place on the MLaw Exempting course.

In my first year, having not studied Law before, I was quiet in seminars and felt as though other students who had previously studied Law knew more than I did and so I implemented the 'sit and listen approach.' Looking back this was silly but tutors really brought me out of my shell and over the four years my confidence in my capabilities increased. The more practical the course became the more I excelled and I really looked forward to spending my final year in the Student Law Office.

During my year in the SLO I was placed in the Civil Litigation team working alongside five other students that I had not previously known or spent time with. We immediately clicked as a team and I knew that the year ahead would be memorable. I had three very different cases during my time in the Student Law Office and I enjoyed researching all the different areas of Law and advising my clients. Interacting with clients and making a difference to their legal matters, when often being their last point of call, was something that gave me great satisfaction.

Following graduation, which was without doubt my greatest achievement to date, (fitting my large forehead into the graduation hat is no easy task), I took time to enjoy my summer and think about my future. Having signed up to the University email to receive notifications about potential Law opportunities and vacancies I received an email that stood out to me. It was from a previous Northumbria MLaw student who was thoroughly enjoying her time at a Sacco Mann-a Legal Recruitment firm in Leeds. Having spent four years in Newcastle it was time for me to conquer another northern city and so I applied for the position.

Following several interviews I was informed I had been successful and would be joining the Sacco Mann family. To my surprise, I later found out I was joining alongside a fellow MLaw graduate, the phrase "it’s a small world" springs to mind. Combining my Law degree and the many transferable skills developed throughout my time on the MLaw exempting route, working within Legal Recruitment at Sacco Mann has been the perfect fit for me.

The four years I spent at Northumbria University were easily to date the best four years of my life. I met some incredible people, made lifelong friends and shared with them some incredible memories that will stay with me for a life time.

If you are considering reading Law at Northumbria University and unsure about your future career path the only piece of advice that I would give you is do not hesitate filling out the application. A law degree does not restrict you from any career path, rather the contrary; it opens doors to various excellent opportunities. So why not read Law at Northumbria University on a renowned course whilst also enjoying all the social aspects that Newcastle city centre has to offer?