Support for new solicitors
Heather Mckendrick advocates communication and mentoring for today’s fresh intake to the profession
The Admissions Ceremony is always a great day – not only for those being admitted, and their family and friends, but also for us at the Law Society as we welcome new and future members to the profession.
Their achievement marks the end of a long process of qualification as a solicitor – exams, assignments and training. Perhaps more importantly, however, it also marks the beginning of a career as a solicitor.
Everyone admitted today will have different aspirations, and these will likely change as they progress in the profession. Almost certainly everyone will face career challenges. We all reach a stage at some point in our working lives where we could benefit from some help, whether it concerns a change of role, making a leap into a new company or sector, or even developing a skill we find difficult.
There are different ways of approaching these challenges, but it may be that mentoring can assist. A mentor is a dedicated person who is able to guide us through the process, by listening to our concerns, wants, needs, strengths and weaknesses.
A mentor will offer wisdom, ask the right questions and be someone to help us get to where we want to be. The Law Society’s Career Mentoring Programme has been established for several years and is designed to help any of our present and future members with all aspects of their professional goals.
In the next few months, the programme will be going online, meaning more people can get involved. In growing the scheme, the Society is keen to bring on board as many new mentors and mentees as possible.
Everyone admitted today would be able to pass on advice to people at an earlier stage in the process than them and, similarly, could learn from others in the profession. This is why the mentoring programme works so well.
It is great to see people actively seeking help and advice – often this is available at the firm or organisation where they work, but sometimes it is good for a person to have the chance to speak to someone unconnected to their work or personal life.
At today’s ceremony, new members will not only have the chance to hear from the key speaker but also each other – to share experiences, learn from one another and hopefully form connections, both personal and professional.
Whether people use a formal mentoring relationship, or informal networks, will depend on personal preference, but there are opportunities to develop important relationships that will undoubtedly assist people throughout their careers.
The legal profession continues to impress me with the number of people prepared to take the time to share their expertise and experiences with friends and colleagues and lend support.
I have no doubt our new members will become an important part of this profession and continue to do the same. Congratulations and welcome to the profession.
More about the mentoring programme can be found at www.lawscot.org.uk/members/ career-growth/mentoring/