A Step Towards Law, A Leap In Confidence

If there is any way to portray the uniqueness of this job, or as we prefer to say, opportunity, it is by describing the events of yesterday. For yesterday I was meeting Billy Smith, a lawyer with his own firm, to learn more about the role. Stevie had introduced Billy to me, encouraging me to contact him and make the most of his expertise, and it is opportunities like this which prove that Stevie is looking at Lynsey and I long-term, not simply how we can fit in at KDS for a year, but how the KDS experience can help our futures too. This is yet another example of how in business, it is vital to be joining up the dots and maintaining strong relationships.

The aspect which I had been most apprehensive about was that it was going to be held in his office and that I had never met him before, therefore I was being thrust out of my comfort zone. I insist that I always want to be challenged in whatever I do, for it makes the achievement even greater; this is what I kept in my mind when I arrived at the premises.

Upon arrival, I greeted Billy with a handshake and confidently introduced myself. Whilst doing this though, I was absorbing all my surroundings and analysing my emotions – I want to look back on this moment when I am a qualified lawyer myself and reflecting on the steps I took to get there. At one point, Billy directly asked me what I wanted to obtain from the meeting. I am usually tentative when put in situations like this, worrying about how I may come across to the other person. However, recently I have been adapting the attitude that if you don’t ask, you won’t get.

Stevie has mentored me on this a lot lately, explaining how opportunities will not just keep presenting themselves, you have to work for and chase them too. This is what drove me to be honest with Billy and have the confidence in myself to do so.

Consequently, I maturely explained that my ideal outcome would be some form of work experience, as this is something which I have never had. Billy has offered to take me to court with him later on in the month, so that I can experience the atmosphere of a hearing first-hand.

Yesterday has encompassed everything which I have been learning: conducting myself in a professional manner, being aware of potential opportunities and absorbing as much information as I possibly could. Little things such as a firm handshake, an instant e-mail afterwards thanking Billy for his time and researching his background prior to the meeting were things that I didn’t need to think about, they came naturally, but I realise how they will have helped create a good impression of myself.

As always, I am extremely excited about what’s next!

Posted by Sarahjane Sarkosh on 01 February 2011 in : KDS Training, KDS Youth Training, Training corporate, Training employability

2 Comments

Posted by Lynsey Mackay on 01 February 2011

Well done Sarahjane, really well written blog - you really deserve this opportunity!

Posted by Joe Wilson on 01 February 2011

Brilliant Sarahjane - once again you tell us about the doubts and apprehensions that are in your head just before you trample all over them in pursuit of the opportunity. Lessons for us all here. Thank you for sharing and keep up the blogs, they''re priceless.

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