Helping out: the key to standing out

You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that academic achievement is essential to working in the legal sector. The pressure on law students to hit A level and degree targets is apparent after a simple Google into ‘trainee entry requirements at firm X’.

The importance of academics means that it is almost instinctive to put the blinders on to focus on satisfying these criteria. However, it would be a mistake for any aspiring lawyer to neglect a more rounded development beyond academics.

One non-academic area of development which I am passionate about is voluntary work. Legal or non-legal, volunteering can impart great benefits to whomever is willing to truly apply themselves to a cause. The primary rule being you get out what you put in. As clichéd as that may sound…

‘Unpaid’ work?

Undertaking work as a volunteer necessarily means unpaid – but that certainly doesn’t mean that there is nothing to be gained.

Legal volunteering (pro bono) includes activities ranging from research to advisory work within law clinics. This provides volunteers with direct insight into their chosen career sector. Due to the relevance and desirability of these types of opportunity, they can be hard to come by and difficult to secure.

Although less industry-specific, non-legal volunteering can develop legal skills, such as client-handling, and facilitate exposure to legal realities, such as the criminal justice system. One of the non-legal volunteering roles that I previously undertook was for my local police force. This provided an interesting insight into the enforcement and justice angle of law, despite not being a strictly ‘legal’ position.

In my experience, volunteering has three main facets that are particularly beneficial for aspiring lawyers and students which I will discuss in the following sections.

Avoid burnout and truly excel

My first major voluntary role, a regional social media coordinator, was picked up during the final year of my undergraduate. The reaction of some of my peers was that I was biting off more than I could chew by taking on this responsibility alongside my dissertation, final essays and exams. I’ll admit – I briefly had the same thought. Although once I had begun, I found that a voluntary commitment was an optimal way to retain academic motivation.

As a volunteer, I exercised freedom in developing marketing strategies and worked independently to run various social media platforms. This translated into an improved sense of calm and control over my university work; helping me to avoid becoming overwhelmed. When re-approaching my dissertation after directing my focus elsewhere I had a fresh set of eyes and a much clearer mind. These psychological advantages were gained in a wholesome way, by benefitting a community and cause that I genuinely cared about. It was a win-win.

Differentiate from the rest

Have a look, or think, about your CV as it currently is and what would draw your eye if you were a law firm. Picture the types of thing that other candidates may also have on theirs –delete those, literally or mentally. What’s left? What is really unique about you? What sets you apart?

Voluntary work does just that, by diversifying your CV and showing future employers what you care about beyond the study of law. It helps them to assess what kind of person you might be, and how you may fit within the firm – the kinds of question that they will not be able to answer by simply looking at your module grades.

These experiences paint a picture of who you are by offering up unique talking points to help you shine in an interview. Volunteering can also give solid evidence of your ability to prioritise and manage commitments outside of your main vein of study, while adding to your overall life achievements. 

Work that works for you

As a busy law student, finding the time for things other than your studies can feel impossible. Although a full-time job alongside the GDL may indeed be out of the question – a voluntary role offers a more feasible route for those with limited spare time. Typically, charities are extremely flexible and are willing to tailor roles to the time that you have available. As most work of this nature is remote, the current pandemic is no barrier to getting involved.

Further, accessibility is key. The breadth of voluntary opportunities allows students from any personal or academic background to gain valuable practical experience. This helps to prevent specific students from becoming disadvantaged as a result of losing out on exclusive and coveted legal work experience. As such, it is a great way for students, such as non-law graduates, to gain entry into the sector as well as a competitive edge.

Getting started

Now that I have illustrated the value in volunteering you may be wondering how exactly to get involved. As with any commitment, there are a few major things to consider before diving in.

1. Think about the time that you have available. Although charities are often willing to accommodate a volunteer’s needs – can you dedicate a realistic and consistent amount of time and effort to the organisation? Unlike a paid role, you will often be working independently and have significantly reduced (or zero) supervisory pressure. It is down to you to stay disciplined and motivated. As mentioned previously, you get out what you put in.

2. Engage with organisations and causes that you are genuinely passionate about. This will not only help you stay dedicated in the long-term, but your enthusiasm will also be reflected in the quality of your work and the way that you elaborate on the experience in interviews.

3. Think about the firms that you are aspiring to work for. What kinds of initiative are they involved in? What are some causes that they care about? How may your voluntary work resonate with the firm itself? Always consider this against your passions.

Finally, remember that charitable organisations generally do not have the funds to run advertising campaigns for roles. Just because something is not advertised does not mean that help isn’t needed.

Harriet Iles is a current PGDL and LLM student at BPP University Law School. She has a passion for the commercial sector, as director of the BPP Commercial Law Journal, and will be applying for vacation schemes this coming application window.