In a joint venture between college and department, Aidan’s and the Law School welcomed Law alumnus and donor Joel Donovan KC on 29 and 30 November.
In Aidan’s Joel led a conversation with students from a wide range of years and subjects, but all interested in how to access a career at the Bar. Topics included how to present your lived experience, including any challenges you may have faced, positively to potential employers, and social capital – especially how to build it if you don’t have access to a ready-made network of contacts in the legal professions.
In the Law School Joel, in partnership with Jordan Kiss, second year, Law, guided a group discussion on the practicalities of accessing careers in the legal profession. Joel outlined his time studying law at Durham, his reasons for fundingLaw scholarships at Durham and the importance of pro bono work. The group also discussed a pupillage interview question - the first time most students had been exposed to this kind of exercise. One third year described the visit as “really inspiring and amazingly helpful interview preparation.” Students and staff are grateful to Joel for being so generous with his time and advice and look forward to future visits which build on these themes.
