Ten of London Met’s first year law undergraduates finish Clyde & Co's Mentoring Programme.
Date: 29/06/2016
Thursday 23 June saw the final session of the Clyde & Co Mentoring Programme take place at their offices on Houndsditch.
The programme, which started in January 2016, provided ten of London Met’s first year LLB undergraduates with mentors from Clyde & Co, all of whom were solicitors or trainee solicitors at the firm’s East End offices. The partnership between London Metropolitan University and the multinational corporate law firm was facilitated by the East London Business Alliance (ELBA).
Emphasis on employability
The aim of the programme was to support first year undergraduates at the beginning of their university degree, with an emphasis on retention and maximising employability. It also provided guidance to law students thinking about a career in the legal profession, assisted with CV and letter drafting, application forms, networking and achieving career goals.
Uma Akther, Community Investment Assistant at Clyde & Co, said, “Clyde & Co have been pleased to work with students at London Metropolitan University on the Mentoring Programme, in providing support and guidance to students wishing to forge a career in the legal profession. We wanted to make contact with and mentor first year undergraduates, as we recognise that whilst first year students may often be keen, they do not fully appreciate how competitive the industry is, and what aspects and skills they need to be working on aside from their academic studies. In assisting this group, our solicitor mentors can help students gain confidence in such soft skills and focus on more practical elements of achieving career goals.”
Closing event
The programme ended with an event at Clyde & Co where mentors and mentees came together for the last time, giving them an opportunity to mingle during networking activities, provide feedback and reflect on their involvement. It was the perfect setting to end the sessions on a high.
