I first joined the Bridge McFarland Team in 2018 as a business apprentice at the age of 16. With no prior experience working in an office environment or working in a full-time role, I anticipated this would be a very daunting experience. However, all the Bridge McFarland staff made me feel welcome and valued from the outset.
To be completely honest, it was never my goal to work in a law firm, so what first drew me to Bridge McFarland was the friendliness of the staff and the potential for development within the company, which was always an open discussion, even from my first day.
From there, I learned the skills I needed to progress further. Working as an office assistant, I was exposed to the legal profession and the possibilities of my future, especially observing Partners who once began their journey as I did. Having that exposure and experience, I was drawn to a future in law, so what first began as a job soon became an opportunity for a career.
My Role at Bridge McFarland
Since joining the Medical Negligence Department as a legal assistant, I have begun my journey to become a qualified professional with CILEx Law School. The firm introduced me to CILEx and the opportunity of becoming a Solicitor without first obtaining a law degree, which I had never considered as a possibility. This route is more suited to my personality and skills as I learn better on the job. I have also found it beneficial to have started my legal studies with three years of experience working at Bridge McFarland, as I can understand how the theory is applied to real scenarios.
Within my department, I am consistently given the opportunity to observe and learn from my colleagues around me, and I am also given a lot of responsibility in my role, which has allowed me to realise my strengths and weaknesses and, therefore, better myself. This has also pushed me to develop further, which I have found helpful alongside my studying as I absorb more skills and knowledge.
Juggling a workload and studies whilst trying to maintain a social life can be a huge struggle. However, I have now established a healthy balance, which wouldn’t be possible without the support I receive from the partners, colleagues and others within Bridge McFarland following the same route.
Why Bridge McFarland?
I am always encouraged to follow my goals as I progress through the route to qualification. I feel lucky to have started from the bottom with no experience and now be on course to become a Solicitor within a team I enjoy being a part of.
