My time at College was thoroughly enjoyable, and I continue to regard it as instrumental in my decision to pursue an apprenticeship rather than university. The College’s approach encouraged independent learning, fostered positive relationships between staff and students, and supported pupils in being flexible about how they learn. Together, these elements helped me develop the skills needed for a smooth transition into my apprenticeship.
The College gave me the opportunity to test whether a career in law was genuinely right for me through the work experience placements it helped me arrange. After taking part in several of these insight visits, I felt inspired to join the legal profession. It quickly became clear that an apprenticeship was the best route for me to do so at the earliest opportunity, and I was particularly drawn to the prospect of earning while completing my degree.
Fast forward to today, and I am a fully qualified solicitor with all the same credentials as those who took the traditional university route — albeit 100% debt-free, having completed the full six-year Level 7 degree apprenticeship. Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not. Unequivocally, it is the best decision I have ever made. My current role sees me advising clients in the commercial real estate space on the full lifecycle of their assets. My portfolio spans a FTSE 250 pension fund, a S&P 400 asset manager, the UK’s largest pub chain, one of the Big Four supermarket chains, several care home groups, and a major life sciences real estate provider. I also remain heavily involved in advocacy for apprenticeship routes, sharing my story through a number of organisations across England — including in this very piece for my College.
It is no secret that law is an extremely competitive field. First, I would suggest trying to secure work experience in the legal industry, whether with a high street firm or a company’s in-house legal team. Second, it is invaluable to get involved and network with fellow aspiring lawyers, which you can do through organisations such as City Century or by joining the mooting team at university. Finally, keeping up with the news and current commercial issues is a must: it helps you understand where the legal industry is heading and ensures you are better prepared for the workplace you are joining.
In the Upper Sixth, you will undoubtedly be as busy as you have ever been, and finding time to complete apprenticeship applications on top of everything else can be challenging. So here is a tried-and-tested approach: start now. Get organised and do what you can, whenever you can, as early as you can. Set up a plan, whether on paper, in Word, in Excel, or in the Notes app on your iPhone. It does not have to be pretty, but it does have to work for you. Commit to doing a little, every day.
Do not let opportunities pass you by while you wait for a “free day”. In most sectors, new opportunities are posted regularly, and they come and go quickly — you do not want to miss out. This may sound daunting, and you may well feel that it is not something you have time for right now. I have been where you are and so have many others. But you are lucky enough to have an ace up your sleeve: the outstanding support available from the Careers team at the College.
One day you’ll realise just how rare a dedicated Careers team is. I have yet to meet anyone in my professional life who recalls having one at their school. So — do not know where to start? Speak to the Careers team. Do not know where to look? Speak to the Careers team. Stuck between two options? Speak to the Careers team. Not sure what LinkedIn is, or how to improve your CV or write a cover letter? You get the point. And speaking of CVs and LinkedIn — if you already know what you are doing, start working on those now, too.
Antony Vundi
Reigate College: 2017-2019
Higher Education: City, University of London – Bachelor of Laws LLB in Legal Practice.
Currently: Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, Associate in the Commercial Real Estate team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
