Catch up with Alumni: Leonnie Mae Watson

Year of Graduation: 2018

Linkedin Profile: Click here.

What are you doing now that you have graduated? 

I currently work at Timms Solicitors whilst completing my LPC part time at Nottingham Trent University.

How did you feel after you graduated? 

Overwhelmed and so sad! But the feeling of accomplishing something that seemed impossible as a first year fresher is very much worth it in the end.

What advice would you give to current students from an employability perspective? 

No post grad job? – do not panic.

Don’t know whether you want to be a Barrister or a Solicitor? – do not panic.

No idea what to do next? – do not panic.
Not a lot of work experience? – do not panic.
You are not the first and certainly will not be the last! There is no rush.

Like many other students, I had worked part time throughout my undergrad degree, spending all of my weekends and spare time either working or studying which left me with very little time to gain valuable work experience. Not only did I feel like I lacked experience but there was a constant feeling of being behind. One of my classmates secured a job within only a few applications, one even already securing training contract at top law firm, whereas all applications I submitted were either unsuccessful or ignored which certainly does not fill you with much hope or encouragement.

So breathe. Take some time out of studying, persevere with job applications, take a gap year or even go travelling – the world is your oyster. You do not have to decide on your next steps right now because you are in your own time zone and are running your own race and things will fall into place.

You are not too late, you are not too early, you are very much on time.

What are your plans for the future? 

I will complete my LPC next May/June and hopefully secure a training contract in the near future to jump the final hurdle to becoming a qualified solicitor with the hope to specialise in Family law. I also hope to eventually gain my Children’s Law Accreditation.