Last week we had the pleasure of hosting an ambitious work experience student! Julia, a year 10 student from Cherrybrook Technology High School, showed great skill and ability throughout her week with us. Here is what Julia had to say about her experience with us: -
"As an indecisive person, choosing future job prospects has always been a challenge, with job ideas ranging from becoming a marine biologist to a child-care worker. However, since my discovery of law books centred around criminal and family law, I have been intrigued by the area of law. Despite the little I knew prior to work placement, I was still aware of the large amount of work and commitment that was required to become a lawyer, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to cope. Whilst elective classes I had at school about law did provide an insight into areas of the legal system and how it functions, it did not fully explain the whole concept of being a lawyer. Thus, when the opportunity of work experience presented itself, I instantly chose to try a law firm as a chance to understand the work behind becoming a lawyer, and the types of tasks they complete. Essentially, I was hoping that this week would provide an insight into the working environment of a law firm and help me decide if this is a career I would definitely pursue.
Coming from a family whose strengths predominantly lie in the financial sector, I’d never had the experience of hearing or trying job tasks outside of that sector. Hence, I was often unsure whether I should pursue a career in which my family was immensely experienced in or diverge on my own path in a sector I knew little about but enjoyed reading about. This question was one of the primary reasons I chose work experience in a law firm, and I have not regretted it.
Through this short period of work placement at Freedman and Gopalan, I’ve able to decide that not only do I want to pursue legal studies, but I’ve gained an understanding as to which area of law I would study. Listening to a call over hearing and writing notes, as well as follow up documents proved to be unique and interesting, something which I was not expecting. Simple tasks such as filing and scanning eventually grew on me, and I began to enjoy the small tasks, even though the scanning took me quite a while to understand. The workplace environment was welcoming and constated the contemporary beliefs of lawyers being extremely serious all the time.
When I first entered the firm, I was beyond nervous, as this would be the week defining whether I would pursue law or choose another sector. But my time and experiences at Freedman and Gopalan proved that law was not only interesting, but extremely rewarding, as demonstrated by one of the hearings I was able to listen to. Other experiences such as researching, writing articles and creating binders are often seen as boring and sometimes painful, but I found these tasks rather enjoyable and relaxing. The attitude I had towards my time at Freedman and Gopalan helped me conclude that law is the career I would pursue, and this experience would motivate me to continue through high school and university.
Throughout my week at Freedman and Gopalan solicitors, I was welcomed by friendly people who were patient and easy to approach. The workplace proved that the concept of lawyers always having a serious demeanour and are intimidating are false, and instead, I was in an extremely friendly workplace.
I have been extremely grateful and fortunate to be able to spend a week at Freedman and Gopalan, and it has been an immensely unique experience, one which I will not forget. The cases I were able to read, the tasks I carried out and the people there, helped me find a solution as to which job career I want to pursue – law. Along with this, the advice which has been provided to me by other workers will undoubtedly assist me in future endeavours, of which I am grateful for. And whilst the whole concept of the law and helping client with their cases seems slightly terrifying, I am sure my studies will develop my skills in this sector. This week has been highly memorable and filled with interesting tasks, and I am sad to be leaving such an amazing firm, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and am excited to continue my law studies.
-Julia, Cherrybrook Technology High School
And here is what our Principal had to say about Julia: -
"It was a pleasure to have your daughter, Julia, with us between 16 March 2020 through to 20 March 2020.
What a pleasant change it was to have a student who was not only mature, but also very interested, keen and most polite. She mixed with the team extremely well, and was always acting in a diligent and professional manner.
It is evident that she has been raised in a very wonderful household to see how polite and hardworking she is. Obviously, these traits come from within, and our congratulations to you and your wife for having raised Julia into such a fine young lady.
I also take this opportunity to congratulate Cherrybrook Technology High School and the wonderful staff who are also a part of this great result. We congratulate the teachers for their fine job undertaken to ensure that such fine future citizens are moulded.
Julia, my team and I especially thank you for having taken extra care in order to express your gratitude and thanks by not only giving us your kind gifts but such personalised thank you notes touched everyone and was welcomed by all. With the traits that have been inbuilt in you which includes hard work, determination, dreams and gratitude, you will go many places.
We wish you and your family all the very best for your future endeavours, and once again, congratulations to the proud parents. You have every reason to be proud."
-Mittu Gopalan, Principal, Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors