Kirsty Stanway, careers consultant at The University of Law, discusses the skills aspiring lawyers need to succeed, how the SQE is changing legal careers and the best bits about being a careers consultant
Getting your foot in the door of the legal profession is not easy. From competitive multi-stage application processes to a changing qualification process, some aspiring lawyers may not even be sure where to begin.
As a careers consultant at The University of Law’s Manchester and Leeds hubs, Kirsty Stanway helps set students on the right path and give them the tools they need to take their first steps into this challenging but exciting industry. Ahead of her appearance at ‘Secrets to Success Manchester — with Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co, Express Solicitors and ULaw‘, Legal Cheek Careers sat down with Stanway to get her expert advice on all things careers.
What motivated you to become a careers consultant?
I started out as a recruiter for two firms, but I found that just placing people in roles didn’t sit right with me—I wanted to do what was truly best for them, not just what benefited the business. I’ve also been to university myself, so I know how challenging and overwhelming it can be to figure out the next steps after graduation. Becoming a careers consultant felt like the right path because it allowed me to be authentic, connect with others, and support students in finding roles that genuinely suit them. Helping someone take confident steps toward a future they’re excited about is incredibly meaningful to me.
What does your role involve day-to-day?
I have a highly varied role as a careers consultant at the University of Law, where I cover two campuses: Manchester and Leeds. I work with undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate students across the Law School, Business School, and School of Science.
My responsibilities change from day to day, but a typical day includes appointments with students, providing e-guidance by reviewing CVs and applications and attending meetings with program leaders and employers. During peak periods, from September to November and January to March, I can see up to 50 students in a week.
Additionally, I am responsible for organising and hosting various events, such as inductions, networking sessions, skills-based workshops, careers fairs, panel talks, and employer presentations. I also serve as a visiting lecturer for both the Law and Business Schools, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students for about 11 weeks each academic year.
How has the SQE and the introduction of qualifying work experience changed how aspiring lawyers think about careers?
The introduction of SQE and QWE has significantly changed how aspiring lawyers navigate their careers, as a training contract is no longer the sole route to qualification. Students are not required to complete their LPC followed by a training contract; instead with the introduction of SQE, alternative routes are now available. Students can pursue QWE while studying the SQE, backdate it, or delay taking the SQE to gain experience first. This flexibility is opening the door for more individuals to qualify, although it doesn’t come without challenges.
Law firms may still be unclear about what constitutes relevant QWE, which can be daunting for paralegal applicants. It’s advisable to discuss QWE with potential employers to ensure the experience gained meets qualification standards. Another challenge is that some aspiring lawyers may focus their two years of QWE in one legal area but later wish to specialise in another. This can sometimes delay the process of being a Newly Qualified Solicitor (NQ) in your chosen field, as, for instance, an Employment Solicitor may hesitate to hire an NQ whose experience is primarily in Personal Injury. If you’re in this position, it’s okay; I would try to obtain some QWE in your chosen field and then look for NQ positions.
What are the skills and qualities you see in students who are successful in the recruitment process?
The three key skills I observe in students who succeed in the recruitment process are
confidence, organisation, and resilience.
The recruitment process for any legal experience from unpaid and paid work experiences including vacation schemes, to graduate roles such as training contracts or paralegal positions is more challenging than ever. If you choose to pursue a training contract, be prepared for a demanding recruitment process that may include several elements depending on the firm. These can consist of an application form, psychometric tests (such as the Watson-Glaser) a pre-recorded interview, a first-stage interview and an assessment centre that usually features a Partner interview.
First and foremost, you need confidence in your abilities when answering questions on the application form, such as, “Why do you believe you would be suited to a career in law?” If you don’t believe in yourself, why should the firm believe in you?
You also need strong organisational skills to manage application and interview deadlines alongside your studies or work. Most importantly, resilience is key; everyone faces setbacks and rejections without feedback. It’s vital to stay motivated. If you are certain in your career path and have the experience needed, you will succeed.
What careers support does The University of Law offer its students?
- Career guidance — one-to-one career appointments to discuss career options, how to secure your next role (internship, part-time job, vac scheme, training contract or graduate role), & industry insights.
- E-guidance — reviews of CVs, cover letters and applications
- Interview and assessment centre preparation — we offer mock interview sessions so you can practice in a relaxed environment
- Workshops — we run on-campus and virtual workshops for example application masterclasses, networking & LinkedIn sessions
- Employer talks and careers fairs — we host frequent employer talks and careers fairs so that our students can engage with our partner law firms
- Pro bono — we have national and campus-based schemes where our students play a crucial role in providing the service by interviewing clients, undertaking research and providing advice
- Job portal and newsletter — we promote roles with our partner law firms and send out a weekly newsletter with all opportunities and events
How should students go about deciding which career is right for them – whether that’s deciding between becoming a solicitor or a barrister, or choosing the right organisation to work for?
Deciding which career path is right for you is often a daunting process, and it can be challenging to know where to start. I would recommend that before you look at options you try to understand yourself, including your pre-existing skill set, values and your hopes for the future. Only then can you truly explore options and consider if they suit you and your aspirations. I would then recommend talking to a careers consultant at your university so that you can explore ways to gain experience. For example, if you’ve examined yourself and believe you’d like to be a barrister, then obtained a mini-pupillage and it wasn’t what you expected then you can go back to the drawing board and use that knowledge to make informed decisions about your future. If you are unsure between being a solicitor and barrister, I would recommend exploring legal experience in both areas so that you can be confident in your choice.
What are the benefits of being based in Manchester as a law student? What career opportunities does the city offer?
There are many benefits to being in Manchester, not only as a student but also as a place to kickstart your career. Firstly, the size of the city is ideal because it allows you to easily explore numerous firms, chambers, and courts, both within and outside the city centre, whether by foot or by public transport. This accessibility means you will have more opportunities for work experience and career options, increasing your chances of securing a position.
Additionally, Manchester serves as a hub for the North of England, expanding your opportunities beyond the city itself. Having grown up near Manchester, I believe that building a career up north is a fantastic choice, and the legal profession in this region has a unique community like no other.
And finally, what’s the best thing about being a careers consultant?
The best thing about being a careers consultant is being able to support students from the very start of their course all the way through to securing a graduate job. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them grow into their potential and develop real confidence in their own abilities. Being part of that journey — guiding them as they gain clarity, build skills, and achieve their goals — makes the role deeply meaningful and inspiring.
Kirsty Stanway will be speaking at ‘Secrets to Success Manchester — with Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co, Express Solicitors and ULaw’, an in-person student event taking place NEXT WEEK on Tuesday 24 June. Apply now to attend.
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