AML CAREERS WORKSHOP

The AML held its second annual careers day on Saturday 20 February 1999. This year we were extremely fortunate in securing sponsorship for the event from the College of Law and in receiving the hospitality of the London School of Economics, whose Islamic Society organised our venue at the school.

Once again the aim of the careers workshop was to offer practical support and encouragement to law students in their request for training contracts or pupillages. This was achieved through a variety of presentations, personal insights and seminar events. The also provided many excellent opportunities for networking - a factor which cannot be overestimated in the intensely competitive legal world.

The day commenced with a panel of guest speakers - barristers and solicitors drawn from the City and the provinces. They were able to give students a balanced overview of their experiences across the many branches of the profession - family, discrimination, local government, commercial and criminal. They also took questions from the audience, discussing topics from moral conflicts faced at work to the more rewarding aspects of life in the law. This session gave students an opportunity to hear it like it really is - and to receive the panel's inspiring insights into how to secure that crucial first step on the professional ladder.

The second morning session was taken by a former City graduate recruitment officer whose inside knowledge enabled her to instruct students on how to target commercial firms. She also reviewed students' CVs for them.

A buffet lunch enabled those attending to network - with both practitioners already in the profession and with colleagues of the future - today's students.

The first of the afternoon sessions was split in two - students wishing to go to the Bar received expert advice from an established and distinguished commercial barrister about the rigours of the pupillage selection procedure whilst those attracted to the solicitors' profession received guidance from a College of Law careers adviser on how to secure a training contract.

A session how to best maximise one's time at both university and during the CPE, LPC and BVC courses, as well as in entering alternative fields such as paralegal work, completed the event. This was chaired by trainee solicitors, themselves with recent experience of life from the student's point of view.

The AML also instigated two long term projects at the day - a mentoring scheme to match individual students to experienced lawyers who can offer them advice and encouragement, and a work experience scheme designed to place students with volunteer firms. These schemes should prove to be of great use to students in the future.

The event was a resounding success with around 130 attending, some from as far afield as Newcastle, Cardiff and Durham, with many more from the London area. This figure highlights the determination and motivation of young Muslim students whose sight are set on a career in law. The received from the day was excellent and the AML welcomed many new student members from amongst the attendees.

The next annual careers workshop is hopefully to be held in October 1999. Further suggestions from students regarding the format, content or other aspect of the event are always appreciated and can be sent to Sofia via head office address by e-mail or post.

With thanks to:
Akhlaq Choudry, Jenny Goddard, Aisha Hassan, Ajmalul Hossein QC, Shujaat Husain, Maleiha Malik, Iffat Nawaz. Also to the College of Law, the London Scchool of Economics Islamic Society and the Muslim World League.