Growing Ambitions flourishing at Blake Morgan
Blake Morgan’s Growing Ambitions Scheme proved a big success in 2024, helping students to flourish and gain work experience.
The leading law firm hosted a number of 15-18 year old students in their Cardiff and Oxford offices.
The aim of Growing Ambitions is to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to build a career in law, experience office life, hear from some of the sectors we work within, and gain confidence working in a professional environment.
Housing Associations nominated students to experience the scheme. Fairhive Homes and Cottsway Housing put forward young people for the Oxford office for the week commencing 29 July, with Cadwyn Housing Association, Cardiff Community Housing Association and Valleys to Coast nominating students for the Cardiff experience the week prior.
Louise Howells, Social Housing Partner in the Cardiff office commented:
The students impressed us all with their intelligence and confidence – asking difficult questions we would normally shy away from!
It was a jampacked week and thank you to everyone who really helped the students feel welcome and took time to ensure that they had an excellent experience.
Students shadowed trainees in different departments, got involved in tasks, observed what a typical day might look like. They heard from Business Development and Marketing, HR and Resourcing and Advocacy colleagues.
Varying routes to qualification, the importance of transferable skills, how to be ready for the world of work and lots more practical tips were covered.
Workshops included creating your own law firm, enhancing your CV, and making the most out of LinkedIn. There were also valuable visits to Cardiff Metropolitan University and Oxford Brookes University, as well as Oxford Magistrates Court.
Keely Doyle, Real Estate Trainee Solicitor, who led the scheme in Oxford along with Employment Solicitor Natasha Newlin, added:
We’ve already had some excellent feedback from the students who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the week and find it useful in helping to understand the type of work they might be interested in at the end of their studies.
Thank you to everyone who took time to help the students, deliver presentations and ensure that the week went smoothly.
