Law graduate Lauren Garrett came to the University of Greenwich as a mature when she was 21, after having worked as an apprentice legal secretary. Her law degree has led to her current role as a business change project coordinator at multinational law firm Pinsent Masons. She says it’s the support of her lecturers that helped her choose the right career path for her.
You’ve had an interesting journey since leaving the University of Greenwich. What was your path from graduation to where you are today?
When I graduated, I worked as a cashier at the property company JLL for about a year. I then found out about an admin role at Pinsent Masons and I’ve been here for about five years. During the pandemic, I got a secondment in tech services. The project involved hardware, working with customers – including our CEO – and dealing with the IT supplier, so I got to speak to a range of people around the business. Then a role came up in project coordination in business change, which is what I’m doing now.
How has your degree helped your career?
Having a law background means I know what my colleagues’ roles are and what they need. For example, I’m currently working on a project with a few fee earners and I really understand how they work. There are also a lot of transferable skills like organisation and effective note taking, as well as time management and discipline to get assignments in on time.
Our lecturers helped us with our CVs and I got to attend a session at the university’s Legal Advice Centre where I sat in on a meeting with a solicitor and took notes. I had a mentor from the law firm White & Case and I also attended the barristers’ chambers, 7BR. I remember one evening at 7BR when I got to speak to barristers and other legal professionals about the work they did. I decided in my second year that I didn’t want to be a solicitor or barrister, and my lecturers gave me great advice to help me get on the career path I wanted.
Why did you choose the University of Greenwich?
Apart from the campus, which I’ve loved my whole life, it was the course offering that made me choose Greenwich. I came for an Open Day with two of my friends and I immediately felt at home and very comfortable. And the lecturers I spoke to were really nice. I wanted somewhere local with a different range of people. I heard that there was a lot of support as well, which I was really grateful for when I was a student. The lecturers always had your back and their door was always open.
I came for an Open Day with two of my friends and I immediately felt at home and very comfortable. And the lecturers I spoke to were really nice.
The lecturers always had your back and their door was always open.
What do you remember about your first few weeks at uni?
It was quite nerve-wracking, but I remember the lecturers making sure that we had all their contact details and that we knew where they were. I was fortunate enough to join a University of Greenwich Facebook group before the start of term so I met some of the girls on my course. I just remember us getting to know the library and finding my feet. We had such a lovely library – it was super easy to navigate. I also remember making friends and a few of them are now my best friends.
I joined a University of Greenwich Facebook group before the start of term so I met some of the girls on my course.
What was student life like in terms of your course and the social side of things?
I lived at home because I was so close by and found it easy to commute. It meant I got the homely vibe but could still get involved with student life if I wanted to. A lot of people commuted near me so we’d meet up with the girls in halls and go to lectures together. I didn’t feel any different because I commuted. The course was really busy and I was very focused on my studies but by managing my time properly I still enjoyed the social side of things.
What do you miss most about the University of Greenwich?
I had some great lecturers who really cared. I remember one in the first year who would tell you a funny story when he was talking about case law, which really helped you remember it. I also miss being around my uni friends, working together and helping each other to get through our assignments. And the campus – I miss that too. I loved walking around it and all the places to hang out with my friends or to sit and have some alone time.
Are you still in contact with anyone from your university days?
I’m still in contact with about three people from my course and we’re really close. We message each other a lot on our group chats. We talk about our careers, support each other and provide life advice. It’s just so nice having that closeness even so long after finishing our degrees.
What advice would you give to someone starting at the University of Greenwich this September?
One thing I learned was how important it is to talk to your lecturers and make the most of their office time. What you may think is a silly question is not silly to them. They’d rather you approach them so that they can help you with any issues you might be having with your assignments. Make the use of your study time but also try to join at least one student society if you can, as it’s a great way to meet people. It’s also worth looking for volunteering or work opportunities.
One thing I learned was how important it is to talk to your lecturers and make the most of their office time. What you may think is a silly question is not silly to them.
