Why did you choose a job in this profession, and what attracted you to your role?
This profession was suggested to me by a family member as an interesting middle ground between science and law. To be honest, a career in research or academia had never appealed much to me, but the idea of a stimulating job with a varied day-to-day did.
How did it tie in with your overall career plans?
Coming straight from university, rather than industry, has its pros and cons. On one hand, you can “get in at the ground floor” and start learning early, and your exam-enduring muscles haven’t had a chance to atrophy yet. That said, experience in industry, or a PhD, particularly if the role has a business or IP-facing element, can stand you in good stead, not only in terms of technical expertise, but in that a network of future tech contacts could prove valuable in the long run. Personally, landing a trainee position as early as possible aligned with my plans, but the industry welcomes all kinds of trajectories, there’s no “right” route, and even the best made plans evolve.
How did you get your job at Potter Clarkson? What was the application process like?
Having trained at another firm for 3 years before joining Potter Clarkson, it’s interesting to see first-hand the differences between the application experience as a graduate and as a trainee. As a fresh grad, you’re expected to think on your feet and show technical competence in your STEM field, but not to know the ins and outs of the law, or the practicalities of the job.
As a part-qualified trainee, the application experience is quite different. You’ll be expected to demonstrate skills and legal knowledge appropriate to your level, but many find it a less daunting process. Of course, it helps, in terms of keeping the imposter syndrome at bay, to already have a role, some evidence on paper that you can cut it, and less competition for positions than at the grad-entry level. You likely feel more “deserving” and less desperate to impress during the interview process, which probably improves your performance on the day.
What skills are useful in this sector/profession? Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to enter the profession?
I think the most useful skills, aside from the most talked about ones, like technical competence and a good command of language, are a willingness to be out of your depth for a while, and a genuine interest in learning and improving. Sometimes feedback smarts, or an exam doesn’t go your way, or you’re convinced you must be the dumbest person in the entire building. Sometimes you speak with others at “your level” and worry that they’re further ahead, or have a clearer roadmap, or a better network, or better potential. Comparison is natural, but it’s also unproductive, and rarely paints the full picture. Over time you’ll find aspects of the job that you particularly gravitate towards. They could be drafting or prosecution, client care or portfolio strategy, networking or business development; the only way to find out is to accept every challenge. Apply yourself, and set high standards, but make peace with things feeling difficult the first hundred times.
