I Got Hired: Emily

Posted on: 1 October 2024 by Kalbir Cross in Class of 2023

Emily Blunt is a Class of 2023 Law graduate who now works as a Legal and Contracts Coordinator at Curtins.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I came across the role at Curtins on LinkedIn and decided to apply. It seemed like a good opportunity to gain insight into the construction industry and understand the impact of a legal role within it.

How did you get to where you are now?

Before choosing an A-Level in Law, I had no experience or understanding of what a career in law entailed. However, after enjoying the subject in sixth form, I was inspired to gain as much experience and knowledge of the sector as possible, this then led me to pursue a law degree at university.

The conscious effort I made to step outside my comfort zone encouraged me to actively seek legal work experience across the UK and internationally. This allowed me to connect with various legal professionals who have offered valuable advice, both personally and professionally throughout my career journey. Through these experiences, I developed an interest in pursuing a career in commercial law, with a specific focus on construction and shipping.

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

I am currently working in-house with the legal team at an engineering consultancy firm. Initially, I hadn’t considered in-house roles due to their rarity, but my time at Curtins has been invaluable in shaping my understanding of a career in law within the construction sector.

Being in-house has allowed me to handle a diverse range of responsibilities daily and witness the direct impact of my work on the company. I regularly collaborate and communicate with engineers nationwide, advising them on contracts for projects across various sectors, including healthcare, higher education, and residential. This direct interaction and my varied responsibilities are aspects of my job that I truly enjoy, and I am excited to see where my future at Curtins will lead to.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

Navigating the job market as a graduate can be tough, especially when facing rejections. It took me six months of job applications, while also working at a hotel to land my current role. Although working at a hotel was not what I envisioned after earning a law degree, it turned out to be a pivotal experience. It helped me to stay motivated, meet new people and learn new things.

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates:

  1. Gain as much experience as possible in any area you can. It doesn’t have to be directly related to your desired career to be valuable and impactful.

  2. Don’t let rejection discourage you; the right opportunity will come along soon.

  3. Don’t measure your success and achievements against others, everyone reaches their milestones at different times.

 
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