The Law Department’s Careers Tutor, Sallyann Mellor, runs a Staffordshire University Mentoring Scheme, which enables students to find out about placement opportunities to help them gain practical and hands-on experience. Law student, Naseem Khan discusses his experience whilst on placement at a solicitors that he found through the scheme. 

“Through the Staffordshire University Mentoring Scheme I gained a two-week placement with Knights 1759 Solicitors. Over the course [of the placement,] I was introduced to a range of solicitors and trainees from various fields of Law in different departments. This allowed me to gain a well-rounded insight into not only the working[s] of the legal team, but the role of a solicitor. I worked on administrative tasks, case studies, and was given the opportunity to meet the clients and attend court! My colleagues assisted me in so many ways, for example, on the first day one of the solicitors gave me a ‘life lecture’ on how not to give up no matter what.

It was such a valuable experience to be able to know what it actually feels like to be working in a Legal environment and to realise how the environment of a corporate law firm differs from those on the high street.

Overall, my experience was enjoyable while also being very educational. Through a wide variety of tasks I was able to appreciate all aspects of the job and was definitely not just stuck at a desk!

Naseem Khan

Now I know exactly what I want to be in the future and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Knights 1759 and our Careers Tutor Sallyann Mellor for implementing the Staffordshire University Mentoring Scheme and for giving me the opportunity.”