BSc in International Relations, 2011
Hillsborough Inquest Team Investigator, Broudie Jackson Canter Ltd
Please describe your career path to date
After graduating, I moved to Brussels and worked for a children's rights and development organisation called Plan International, as a Campaign Assistant for their 'Because I am a Girl' campaign. My work mainly focused on lobbying within the European Parliament to support our call for a UN International Day of the Girl Child. I moved back to London and started the GDL (law conversion course) part-time, and worked as a Paralegal at a law firm in East London - working on Actions against the Police, Inquests, Clinical Negligence and Criminal Injuries Compensation cases.
I also did a lot of pro bono work in welfare benefit appeals through the Firm's Free Tribunal Representation Service. In May 2013 I moved to Liverpool to be part of the legal team representing bereaved families in the new Hillsborough Inquests, which is where I am now.
Has your career path developed as you planned?
When I was at LSE I was very clear that I wanted to work for an international NGO, ideally in Policy or Advocacy. I interned at Amnesty International UK and the Childs Rights Information Network, so I had gained some relevant experience, and I was quite surprised that when I landed my first job I realised that it wasn't what I wanted to do! I think my political outlook changed quite a lot during my final year at LSE, and my ideas about how to effect change.
I decided to convert to law because I realised that rather than speak on behalf of people I have never met, I wanted to work alongside them. The commitment to social justice, to holding the state accountable remain the same, it's just a different means of achieving it.
Tell us about your current job
As an Investigator within the Hillsborough Inquest team, my main day-to-day responsibilities are to review the ongoing disclosure and to prepare Briefs to Counsel for relevant witnesses and thematic areas. The role changed a lot as we moved into the Hearing - from setting up the team and its working processes, to initial review of disclosure, submissions on witness selection to preparation for those witnesses in court! It's been quite exciting to see the process develop and for the hearing itself to commence.
There is a lot of material to keep on top of so you need to be organised, and as with lots of other jobs plenty of competing demands on your time. Due to the nature of the case, it also needs someone who is sensitive to the issues and committed to working hard towards justice for the families and survivors. The working environment is very fast-paced and the ability to stay calm under pressure certainly helps!
Why did you choose this job?
The outrage, indignity and injustice that followed the Hillsborough disaster; and the collusion between the police, the judiciary and the media make it one of the most well-known institutional cover-ups in British history. The unswerving resolve of families and survivors who campaigned for truth and justice for 25 years (my entire lifetime) is completely inspiring. When the Hillsborough Independent Panel report came out in 2012 and the Attorney-General quashed the original Inquest verdict (that the 96 deaths were "accidental"), it was a significant moment for everyone in this country fighting for justice and accountability. If there was an opportunity to be part of the process of the new Inquest, I knew I had to take it.
What do you like most about your job? Is there anything that you dislike?
Working every day with such fantastic people is easily the best part of the job. Everyone is so passionate and committed and inspiring, and I feel lucky and humbled every day to be involved. There is nothing I dislike about the job - a very great friend and colleague says that "I am a pot that has found its lid".
What career plans do you have for the future?
In the future I hope I am able to continue working on such interesting and rewarding cases. In the short-term, I would like to qualify as a solicitor - I am still studying the LPC part time and am yet to apply for training contracts.
Thinking back, why did you choose your degree subject and why did you choose LSE?
When I was doing my A Levels, I was introduced to a friend who was studying International Relations, and I had never heard of it as a Degree. I researched it and thought that it was a great combination of current affairs, history, languages and even law - the potential to work or study abroad in the future really appealed to me. I wanted something very flexible and that would open doors rather than start me on a clear trajectory towards a specific career.
I chose LSE for its academic reputation, the fact that it was based in London, which I thought might mean it would attract high-profile speakers, and its international student population. I think perhaps I also had a naive romance about its leftist history!
How has your time at LSE helped you so far in your career?
Studying at LSE has helped tremendously for lots of reasons - the degree is well-respected and the tutors and lecturers are so knowledgeable about their subject areas, and really willing to help you after graduation. I wrote to my Law lecturer when I decided to apply for the GDL and they gave fantastic advice as well as providing a reference.
I think there is a strong working culture which definitely prepares you for life after university and studying in London makes it much easier to take work experience during the degree, which gives you a real advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.
My time at the LSE also shaped who I am today, in terms of my values and aspirations. This is definitely due to my involvement in student politics and the friends I made through this, the student occupations in particular. I was in my final year during the campaign against the rise in tuition fees and I probably learned more during that autumn term of 2010 than the 2 previous years - and I can see the effect that it's had on everything that I have done since.
What advice would you give to prospective or current LSE students?
Get involved in campaigns! Join societies or volunteer - you'll never have the same opportunities to be exposed to and get involved in such a range of issues and activities. If you can take advantage of work experience opportunities while you're in London then it will certainly help in finding work afterwards, and there is sometimes funding available to help. Definitely make the most of the services LSE offers - the Careers service and the student support services are excellent.
I think there is so much going on, especially being in London, that it's often easy to get lost in all the choice, so the advice I would give is to not spend time doing what other people want to do - the time goes by too quickly to waste!