Building brilliant careers
Work placements
Students with proven work experience, whether it’s a work placement, vacation work, summer internship, or short-term project work , are highly sought after by employers. Structured placements and internships will help you to develop business acumen and may also help you develop specific skills that will be useful in your chosen career.
The University of Exeter and the Law School is committed to offering its students an exceptionally wide range of opportunities to gain the key graduate-level skills, experience and expertise which employers value most highly. As part of this commitment, the University is actively expanding its range of opportunities for students to gain experience of working in the UK and abroad.
Work placements might take a number of forms including:
- Work-shadowing (1-2 weeks)
- Short placements (paid, 2 weeks +)
- Academically supervised student projects (Law)
- Internships/vacation placements (paid, 13 weeks max)
- Graduate placements/projects (paid, 8 weeks to 1 year)
Placements offered by alumni to Exeter law students
Winckworth Sherwood vacation placement
City law firm, Winckworth Sherwood offers around six vacation placements each year. Since 2010, the Law School and the College Employability Officer have worked with Hugh MacDougald, a partner at the firm and Exeter alumnus, to offer one vacation placement to a student at the University of Exeter. Hugh will visit the University of Exeter and meet with students to discuss applying for vacation and training schemes in December 2011. Shortly afterwards, details of how to apply for a vacation scheme placement with the firm will be posted on My Brilliant Career – the college employability pages for current students.
3 Paper Buildings, mini-pupillage
In 2010, a mini-pupillage shadowing Mark Sutherland-Williams for one week was awarded to an Exeter Law student. Rehana Ahmed, LLM International Business Law student was the successful applicant, and took her placement with Mark in summer 2011. Mark is the Head of 3PB's Asset Forfeiture Group and recognised as one of the leading barristers in the UK in his particular field.
I applied to do the placement at 3 Paper Buildings to see what it is like to work in a well known and established chamber in London. Before starting the placement, I was quite nervous. However, when I got there, I was so surprised by how friendly and down to earth both the Set and Mark were. They made me feel comfortable straight away.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and was delighted to be able to attend a Tax Tribunal, which meant I was able to ask a HMRC Tax solicitor and a policy maker about important aspects of my dissertation. I learnt many things during my week, but most importantly that barristers are self-reliant individuals who succeed by their determination and hard work.
Rehana Ahmed, LLM International Business Law
Knights Solicitors work placement offer
Exeter alumnus and partner at Knights Solicitors, Michael McNally, is offering a one to two week work placement opportunity. University of Exeter students with a demonstrable interest in pursuing a legal career may apply.
The placement comes with a generous expenses allowance. As well as work shadowing, your duties will include: assisting with research, working on cases, photocopying, preparing bundles and general administration.
For more information and details of how to apply, visit My Brilliant Career
Deadline for applications: 28th November 2011
I graduated from the University of Exeter in 1986 with a degree in Classics. I am Past President of the Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society, and my areas of special interest include the Animals Act 1971, on which I have written for the Agricultural Law Association.
My practice areas in law at Knights are Employment, Equine and Equestrian, Personal Injury and Professional Negligence.
Michael McNally - Partner, Knights Solicitors
International work placements
The Law School works closely with its international partners to create work placement opportunities for students.
We have developed links with five law firms in China, all of which offer internships and welcome applications from Exeter law students. Internships are usually taken sometime between June and September. Current law students are eligible to apply from the second year of undergraduate study through to PhD level. Details for current students are on My Brilliant Career. For further information about all international internships, visit the University of Exeter’s Opportunities Abroad webpage.
As a University of Exeter undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to study at the China University of Political Sciences and Law, Beijing during the summer of 2009. This experience was an invaluable academic foundation for anyone seeking to live and work in China and I feel that without this opportunity, I would be far less prepared to spend a prolonged amount of time in such a wholly unfamiliar environment.
The University of Exeter’s close ties with a number of law firms in China offered the opportunity for me to travel to China on a three month internship with Hylands IP Agency, Beijing from September to December 2011.
Ultimately, Exeter provides a solid academic foundation coupled with the opportunity to put theoretical skills into practice in the international arena. With the support of the international placement team, I hope that this internship will be hugely beneficial to me both personally and professionally.
Natalie Pates, LLB Law (2011 graduate, Tremough Campus)
If you are interested in finding out more about this initiative please contact Julia Paci, Employability and Work Placement Officer for the College of Social Sciences and International Studies.
Julia Paci
Employability and Work Placement Officer
College of Social Sciences and International Studies
University of Exeter
Amory Building, Rennes Drive
Exeter EX4 4RJ
UK
Tel: 00 44 (0)1392 723372
Email J.C.Paci@exeter.ac.uk
Read more student placement stories.
