Rianna graduated from the University of Nottingham with a Law degree in 2018. Prior to this, Rianna had chosen her A Levels when she decided she wanted to pursue a career in law. Taking a step of faith, Rianna submitted her University applications, resulting in five offers. Now working as a paralegal in property law and working towards becoming a solicitor, Rianna's faith in God has helped her to navigate this journey.
We spoke with Rianna to find out about her journey in law so far:
When did you know that you wanted to study Law at University?
“I didn’t always know, I think I was about 16 that I decided to do law which to some may seem late. I’m 25 now so it feels like a long time ago but before that I wanted to be a vet, things changed and I thought that law would suit my skills better and I thought it would be a good profession for job stability and seeing how solicitors are like a voice to people that are struggling in some way and solicitors are there to advocate so I liked that. ”
Once deciding law, what steps did you take to gain experience for your University application?
“I decided to do some work experience as I thought it would help so I shadowed a barrister and spent a week in a criminal law firm but I didn't have a great deal of experience.
What made my application stand out was how I related all the skills I already had and all the extra curricular stuff I did to being good at law. You don’t always have to go looking for something law related when you are young, there may not be many opportunities that people can give you but you can always relate what you have done and show the strengths that come from that in your character.”
Unsure she would not meet the entry requirements for her first choice University, Rianna shared how she relied on her faith to get through this uncertain time such as through prayer. Once accepted onto the Law programme, we asked Rianna how she maintained and developed her faith when starting her course. Rianna shared that there were three main things that helped with this:
“One of the main three things was Gospel choir. I wanted something uplifting outside of Law that I would enjoy and was related to Christianity and community. I joined it and loved singing with the choir and rehearsing, the songs were lovely and uplifting so I had a really good time and don’t regret joining it at all."
Alongside choir, attending a church in the city and visiting chaplaincy on campus also helped her to grow in her faith. Towards the end of her course, Rianna started to make applications for LPC courses, applying to four institutions in London. Starting in September after graduating Rianna shared how she found the transition from University to the LPC course.
“It was more practical on the LPC. We learned skills that you would take into a law firm like drafting letters, researching areas of the law, learning how to advocate for a client or interview a client so I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
Whereas on the degree it was very theory based and we did not do a lot of practical elements, unless you were to go outside of it and do your own. There was not much that you could do that was practical, so the LPC was good because it was a nice mix of practical and theory which made it easier to manage. It is a lot of work but the content was not too hard to understand and the teachers were very good. ”
How did your faith play a part during your LPC and career aspirations?
“When I was on the course, I tried to make it a habit of praying before going into College, I prayed for a safe journey there, to understand the content and to learn. Especially around exam time I would pray with my mum or others before going into an exam.
Strengthening my prayer life, reading the bible and writing diary entries about what I had learnt from a passage or reflections all helped to build up a level of faith. During that time I was applying to jobs as well so I would pray that I would be able to secure a job when I left the course and secure a legal role.”
"I had an idea that I wanted to be a solicitor so it was always to do with securing a training contract which is like the next step once you’ve done the LPC, you train then you qualify as a solicitor. I was always praying concerning that but I was also praying that along the way I would find roles leading up to that like a paralegal role. You can qualify through a paralegal role but this was not my preferred route of qualification. I saw the paralegal job as more of a stepping stone so I was praying for that too and God is good, I’m now working as a paralegal.”
Are there any particular scripture verses that you have held onto during this journey and what do they mean to you?
"There have been a few but there is one that I always keep on my wall in my room. One is psalm 23 verse 4, I love that one especially the part which says even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. The other one, I just changed my Instagram bio to it today, I love this one as well. It is psalm 16 verse 9, for me law is something I want to do but the way that I get there and where I will end up is all down to God. If I am going to end up anywhere it will be God’s will so now I pray that it will be the right place for me, suit my work ethic and what I want out of life but where I end up is ultimately down to Him and what He wants for me. It was not always like this, as I have gotten older I have realised that the only person you should be pleasing is God.”
As someone who has completed their studies and is working towards securing a training contract, what advice would you give to someone who is interested in a career in law?
"For advice I would tell people to be focused on the career in law, you don’t have to study it but keep it in mind when you are working. Work to the best of your ability and work smart so that you don’t burn yourself out. Keep applying for experiences and try to get legal internships anywhere, contact people and ask if they need any assistance for a week or two weeks.
Don’t get caught up in what other people are doing-run your own race and if you feel that it is the right time for you to apply for a firm then do it. Do not do it because you feel you have to because someone opposite you has got a vacation scheme or training contract, everyone's journey is different. If you think you want to be a lawyer then apply for the LPC or SQE depending on finances or what you think suits you better, you can also do the bar or BPTC if you think a barrister role will suit you. Keep persevering and pray along that journey and ask God for guidance. Sometimes what you think you want might not be right for you so be open minded."
Blossoming and Blooming often share five tips related to studying. What would be your top two tips for studying effectively?
“ Try not to study one topic for an extensive amount of time. In practice set a few things that need completing during that hour, have an idea of what you want to achieve in that hour and keep doing that each day.
Study nine to five, treat it as a job. Don’t do all nighters if you know that won’t work for you so try to act like it is a job so after that you can switch off.”
Blossoming and Blooming's theme this year is the journey ahead so it was lovely interviewing Rianna to learn how she has navigated and continues to navigate her law career. We took so many takeaways from this interview check them out below.
Takeaway #1: Try to adapt and use what skills you have.
Takeaway #2: Run your own race.
Takeaway #3: Keep God in everything.
We hope you enjoyed this interview and were able to take something away from it. To let us know leave a comment or tell us through our socials. If you know someone who would be blessed by this share this with them.
Keep Blossoming and Blooming
By the Blossoming and Blooming Team
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