by Kristyna Petrosjanova (Trainee at Mills & Reeve and CLS Alumna)
Recently, I was asked to give a talk to pupils at a local sixth form about my career in law. As anticipated, I got the common round of questions: “What it is like? How do I get there? How do know it’s what you really want to do?” Whilst trying to think of helpful – and honest – responses to give to them, I realised that I hadn’t ever taken the time to think about this myself.
Unlike some of these students, and many others, I knew I wanted to go to university and study Law. I knew my end goal. It was the ‘route to’ which I was always in constant deliberations over.For many to-be-students choosing between the – back then – 142 universities is about rank or some other criterion of whichever comparison table a google search returns. But for me, the choice was about something more. In 2021, reflecting on my journey to my end goal, I now know, I made the right choice.
I completed my LLB degree at Coventry University, graduating in 2018. One of the things that had attracted me to study at Coventry was its international focus. For someone like me, who is of mixed heritage, has moved countries and cities many times and has always been surrounded by people from different backgrounds; I was looking to maintain that exposure to diversity during my studies.
University is an experience, which influences your ever-developing personality, as well as being a means to obtain a degree. Coventry did not disappoint on either point.
During my time at the university, I was not only able to achieve a first-class award and build relationships with my peers and tutors but also to immerse myself in the cultural experience opportunities offered. In my short 3 years, I was able to participate in cultural student exchanges in both Chong Ching, China and Sao Paolo, Brazil. I took the opportunity to join the Global Leaders Programme, where I began learning French, and participated at the events provided by the Confucius Institute. This inclusivity and diversity of other cultures influenced me then and now.
In the two year since graduating from Coventry I began my route to becoming a solicitor and completed yet another dream of mine, to go travelling. I attended BPP to complete my Legal Practice Course, which I graduated with distinction in 2019. Following that I embarked on my solo travels. I visited Singapore, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, before the pandemic had other ideas for me. I was able to use the social skills gained at Coventry to thrive in the relationships that I developed whilst travelling. Having visited everywhere that I could, I returned to the UK to begin the training contract that I had obtained during my time at Coventry. Today, having undertaken one and commenced my second seat at Mills & Reeve, at its satellite office within my own home, I can truly say that my time at Coventry did and still does guide many aspects of my life. Not only did the employability team demonstrate to me what a good application might look like they, rather crucially, coached me in self-belief. It was this Coventry bred confidence that I believe played a pivotal role in me obtaining my dream career and the ability to tell those pupils, with conviction, that their goals are also achievable. I hope that those deciding on whether Coventry is the place for them are able to think back with satisfaction one day, like me, and be proud to be an alumni.
Interested in studying law with us? Our LLB Law course offers you the opportunity to gain practical legal skills, develop your global experience, and get career ready, with expert staff and employment support. Current student? You can find out more about placement opportunities by speaking to the Talent Team.
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