Nicolás Di Miele

LLB, 2024, John Snow College

Durham’s greatest strength is its people: the professors, the wider university staff, and of course, your peers.

You inevitably become part of a caring community of like-minded future lawyers. It is only natural to share and receive tips and insights on how to successfully apply to Open Days, Vacation Schemes, Training Contracts, and Mini Pupillages. Those conversations are invaluable.

Alongside this peer support, the employability resources at Durham are robust. In particular, I trust that you will find the Employability Course key to structuring your career planning. The bank of “Top Tips”, shared by previous work experience and graduate job applicants, also provides tangible guidance on how to effectively approach application cycles. Together, all these resources offer clarity on how to deliver what firms are looking for, and how to present yourself with the right kind of confidence.

I am now a trainee solicitor at Slaughter and May.

I often hear other trainees in the City remark that Durham Law graduates all seem to “know each other.” It is not exactly hyperbole. Durham fosters a tight-knit community of ambitious minds who huddle around common goals and interests. Friendships quickly turn into trusted support systems. They stick with you through the rewards and challenges of a legal career. And if you move to larger cities after your degree, you’ll find that this sense of community follows you, shaping your perspective in subtle but meaningful ways. My advice is simple: go for it!