Proud and committed

Incredibly, it is 17 years ago that I was in the same position. I still remember working as a postie that morning - as I had all through the summer - and rushing through my post round so I could join my classmates and share this final
school experience, for better or worse.

Until then I had been on the usual route to the profession. I did well in my GCSEs and was expected to do similarly well two years later.

I had been on the national tour of university campuses, in varying weather conditions and with equally varying impressions of what a university can and should offer. I had settled on the University of Hull. This, I felt, was where
I could spend three years of my life, happily continuing my education and personal development.

The university boasted academic excellence and a broad variety of subjects in its legal department, many of which were not offered elsewhere. Although I have had little cause to use my vast knowledge of admiralty law since, I have a very heavy book on the subject, which comes in handy for holding a door open.

Oh, the fact that the beer was 50p a pint
and it was a glorious summer day when I first visited may also have had something to do with my selection of university town.

Looking back, I was perhaps a little foolish not to have a back-up university, just in case things didn't turn out well in the exams.

Instead, I threw myself behind my commitment to Hull. Maybe I was just too young to understand, but it all worked out for the best in the end. I got my place to do law and, well, I haven't done too badly since then.

Whether A levels have become easier over the past 32 years (as is frequently reported),
or not, the anxiety around results time has surely not declined. A level grades, choice of university and degree classification are still the standard by which law firms and employers measure success.

I know this because I have spent the past few weeks reviewing and shortlisting training contract applications.

It sounds like a cliché but the standard of candidates is humbling. It is not only the academic excellence of candidates, but their commitment to the practice of law.

This is still a profession that, even against the current backdrop of uncertainty and change, people are still passionate about joining and progressing. Such a commitment to a career in law is, I am sure, unparalleled in other professions and something we should be proud of.

Unfortunately, I have soon learnt that there simply aren't enough jobs for every candidate, no matter how outstanding. The process continues…

SJ, in print, is on a summer break for two weeks and will next publish on 9 September.
In the meantime, keep your eye on our website and Twitter feed for regular news
and comments.

Kevin Poulter, Editor at Large

@SJ_Weekly

#SJPOULTER

editorial@solicitorsjournal.co.uk