Uptree

Zaynah came across Uptree online and has recently been accepted onto a Solicitor Apprenticeship with DWF.

“During my first year of college I was looking online, just searching for any insight days at law firms and I think Uptree was the one that was appearing at the top of Google searches. Then I had a look on Uptree and I could see that there were loads of events that they put up and you could sign up for. I started trying my luck really and applying for as many coming up in the future as possible. That was really nice because obviously as I was able to get onto these insight days. So that was how I learnt about Uptree.”

Filling in applications for big firms around her local area through Uptree really helped Zaynah understand her career aspirations.

“My interactions with Uptree helped with my career aspirations because I was able to fill in applications for quite big firms around my area. Once I would get into these, I was able to go into these firms and have a look at what it was like working in a big law firm and I think that was really helpful because it did reassure my choice to work in such a law firm. So then going through applications and stuff, I did then want to apply for an apprenticeship. I think Uptree really helped me get to these insight days and get to see what it would be like, obviously it’s a small snippet, but getting to see what it could be really was helpful and kind of reassured me wanting to do an apprenticeship rather than going to university.”

Zaynah attended a few events and loved getting to see what it’s like to be in a law firm and having the chance to talk to people face to face.

“The events were planned out really nicely which was useful. The way they were set out, they were informative but they weren’t boring where we were just being talked at all day as well. They also always tried to include a fun task for us to do so I think that was probably really fun when we were doing it because they were either like business based tasks or something that we could all use our thinking skills with really. I think that was something that I really did enjoy.

Just getting to spend the day there and really seeing what it’s like and getting to talk to people as well. Usually we would be with the Early Careers Team like the Early Talent Team. Just getting to know what they’re looking for as well was really helpful because if you don’t go you don’t get to know what exactly they are looking for. They were able to give us tips and tricks that we were able to then use in our applications.

…just getting to go to as many as possible was really helpful. Especially Ben at DWF, who was at all of the events that I have been to at DWF, was really really good. They really take you step by step with the application process because not every apprenticeship application process is the same. Being able to go to all these different ones, you get to know how the firms are individual and what they individually look for which is something that when you are applying to apprenticeships and you apply to multiple of them, people can get confused and kind of have like a general outlook of it but you have to be really specific. Being able to have the opportunity to go to these events was really helpful because you get to kind of have the insight of what each firm is looking for individually which then increases your chances of getting into the last stages of the application.”

Her advice to other young people is to be confident in yourself, she recommends Uptree to any young person.

“I think the main piece of advice I’d give is to be confident in yourself. I never would have believed that being in my position at year 13. I had to juggle university applications, my mocks, my A-levels alongside applications. They’re really hard because especially with apprenticeships they’re very long and each one is different and they come out at different times of the year so you have to really be on it really if that’s what you want to do. I’d say be confident in yourself because at some points, like when I was getting through to like the final stages, I was starting to feel a little bit nervous. That’s not because I was questioning my ability, it was more so like I worked so hard to get here it would be really sad to see me not get through.

I think definitely keep confident and don’t be intimidated. It doesn’t matter how big the firm is or how big the company is you’re applying for. They are getting you through these stages for a reason because they see potential so don’t start questioning your potential. Even when you’re thinking of applying don’t think that they won’t take you because you are just young like that’s what they are looking for. So just be confident in yourself and I’d say go for it. The worst thing they can say is no and you can always try again. So I think that’s a big piece of advice that if I was told a little bit more during my applications it would have been more helpful and not second guessing myself a little bit. I wouldn’t say a lot but a little bit, so I think young people would like to hear that.”