Meet Joy
LLB Law with Criminology
Meet Joy
My name is Joy, I studied LLB Law with Criminology and I really enjoyed my time at Birmingham. I have always been keen on helping others and felt studying law would enable me to this. During my time at university, and through my studies, I was able to make a change in the lives of others in different ways. I volunteered as a student mentor for first year students, being someone they could come to for help and advice in navigating their way through university and law.
I was also a committee member for our Pro Bono Group’s Women’s Refuge project, informing women about their rights, as well as volunteering for our universities legal clinic, giving legal advice to those in need.
How did your time at Birmingham help you to get to where you are today?
The University of Birmingham’s CEPLER (Centre for Employability, Professional Legal Education and Research) has helped me massively when it comes to employability. Through attending law fairs, guest talks, taking part in competitions and work experience opportunities, I have gained many practical skills that will be beneficial in any career, as well as gaining insight into different career options I have.
CEPLER has also helped me better articulate my employability skills by sharing insight into how an employer would want to see skills demonstrated in applications and interviews.
What are you most proud of from your time at Birmingham?
There is a lot that I am proud of from my time at Birmingham. One of the highlights was taking part in and winning the CEPLER Client Interviewing Competition, and then advancing to the Client Interviewing Competition finals and placing 5th nationally. This was something I tremendously enjoyed, and it also it allowed me to grow my network and gain skills to help me in the future.
What's one piece of advice you can share for incoming students?
My advice would be: Ask as many questions as you can, and always seek help when you need it. Talk to your lecturers - they are there to help you, and most have dedicated office hours where they encourage students to come and seek advice.
Where do you hope to see yourself in a year's time?
In a year’s time, I hope to be in a law-related job, but my time in Birmingham has also taught me that studying law doesn’t constrain you to a job as a solicitor or barrister. It opens the door to many different career opportunities beyond these types of roles.