The Employability and Careers Department held a Law Spotlight event for students in the Jordanstown campus on 14 March, which was attended by an expert panel of legal professionals working across a number of disciplines and national / international law firms. There was also an exhibition area for students to get more information and advice directly from firms such as Allen & Overy, Tughans, Citi, Carson McDowell, Arthur Cox, EY, Pinsent Masons and Axiom Law.
This event presented the ideal opportunity for students to listen to and network with a range of employers and graduates including a high profile Barrister, one of the N.I. Coroners, an Ulster University PhD candidate, magic circle Law firm Allen & Overy, a Global Gas and Oil company, the NHS, and Citi Group.
The compere for the event was Amanda Zacharopoulou, Associate Head of School of Law and she introduced each of the panel members, who spoke about their path into a career in Law, and shared details of their experience and current role.
The impressive line-up consisted of Joe Brolly, Barrister; Joseph McCrisken, N.I. Coroner; Leeane Armstrong, Associate, Pinsent Masons; Michelle Lamont, Senior Legal Professional, Allen and Overy; Andrew Wilson, Senior Associate, Allen and Overy; Niamh Marley, NHS Graduate Scheme; Catrina Donegan, Vice President Legal Citi; Deidre Nelson, PhD student at Ulster University’s Transitional Justice Institute and Nicola Young, Shawcor – Vice President Legal (US Oil and Gas Pipeline company).
This was followed by an open Q&A session during which questions were asked about graduate-entry level requirements into the represented companies, continuing post-graduate studies, opportunities to work in health management, the gas and oil sectors and nepotism in the legal profession.
Students then had the opportunity to network, browse the exhibition area and meet representatives from the panel organisations who provided information on graduate entry and career opportunities.
Sarah Livingstone, final year Law student, said:
“I found the panel discussion, especially from the Ulster University alumni, incredibly inspiring. It gave me a great insight into the vast array of opportunities and pathways that a law degree from Ulster University can take you on.”