By Annamaria
A lawyer in the making...in-between countries, cultures, and education systems!
Having a clear idea of who you are from a young age and knowing what you would like to ‘become’ as an adult in your professional life is a great starting point. Moving to a different country, while not speaking their language or knowing absolutely anything about its culture can be a great setback. Especially when you are transitioning from a teen to an adult.
To those experiencing the same, here are a few steps which helped me set my roots in the British community and work my way up to my dream job!
Step 1: Acknowledge who you are & what you are capable of.
Like many of you, I am an Albanian girl. My parents migrated to Italy just before I was born and needless to say, my childhood was a constant trying to understand in which culture I fit in. On top of that, how could I have possibly convinced them that I wanted to be an independent woman working in such a challenging sector as the legal industry? Nevertheless, I put my big girl pants on and told them that I wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer and that I wanted to move to the UK. Why? Because of the myriad of opportunities this beautiful country has to offer! And.. a strong sense of ambition [Albanian DNA, right there!].
Step 2: Understand your new surroundings.
When I moved to the UK, we were still in the EU. This influenced the way I thought of the country. I had naively assumed that in terms of the education system and lifestyle, I would not struggle to fit in. Boy, was I wrong!! In the UK, I quickly learned that anywhere you go - opportunities are given to those who put in the hard work and do so independently. The education systems in the UK provide the students with a broad knowledge base, which could initially seem ‘’restrictive’’ in comparison to countries like Italy and Albania. [Yes. We are loaded with book-reading and demanding exams from a young age]. However, I noticed that this is only to encourage students to feed on their interests and pursue the subjects they are most talented and passionate about. The education systems in the UK provide the students with great support in terms of stepping into their professional life, and teachers, as well as tutors, can become your mentors rather than an authoritative figure. Speaking about London in particular, things can get tough at times. You will find that the city and its suburbs encourage a fast-paced lifestyle, loaded with paperwork and a million things to do. This can easily cause you to feel overwhelmed, but preserving your mental health is a big focus in the community. Both schools and the local councils have plenty of resources to help migrant youth and adults settle in the country.
Step 3: Set your goals & research how to achieve them.
As I mentioned earlier, the UK is full of opportunities. You simply need to have the right attitude and most certainly you will see good progress. In my case, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do. But, as many of you may have experienced - I had to set back my ambitions to help the rest of the family relocate. With a little research
, I was happy to find out that after completing my BTEC Diploma, I wouldn’t have to give up my dreams at all. The UK government has set up plenty of other options for students to pursue their dream career, even if university is not an option! For example, you could take on an apprenticeship; traineeship or take on an entry role within your chosen field. You will be surprised at how many organizations are happy to take on interns or juniors and invest in their career progression. A tip for my fellow aspiring lawyers - starting as a legal assistant or junior paralegal is a great way to get you started in the field. And, if, like me, you had to drop out of school, CILEX is a good substitute for your A-levels.
Step 4: Don’t shy away and go get what’s yours!
It seems pretty clear that no matter your age, nationality or personal circumstances, working towards your goals is the only way to achieve them. All that matters is that you are not discouraged by the fact that you feel like a ‘newbie’ in the country or that you speak with an accent. Don’t shy away from what is around you and push for success. Fun fact: I got my first job as a legal assistant aged 15, speaking broken English.
h and having no clue about the UK legal system. I am now a qualified legal professional who landed a role as an Immigration consultant while completing Higher Education. Annndd... I am writing a blog to help you achieve your dream career in the UK!! If I can do it, you certainly can too.
Resources:
Finding the right career path: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Finding an apprenticeship: https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
Finding a legal aid advisor (no fee solicitor): https://find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk/
Finding a mentor (legal career progression): https://growmentoring.wixsite.com/grow & https://womenhighup.wixsite.com/womenhighup
Support with Albanian community integration in the UK: https://shpresaprogramme.org/about/
Support with housing, benefits & family: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
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