Olga Zalewska
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Gillhams Solicitors
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I graduated in 2022 and worked at Kennedys Law as an assistant claims handler until summer 2023, and then I started the full-time LPC course. I have completed the LPC this summer and now I am working as a paralegal.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I’ve always wanted to be a solicitor, and being a paralegal is a good way of getting experience of what work as a lawyer will be.
Currently I am enjoying having an actual and significant impact on the lives of clients that I am dealing with. I work on Court of Protection matters, so our clients are vulnerable individuals, so the work that I do gives me even more satisfaction when we are able to make their lives better.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
Climbing Society
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The placement year was the best part of my degree. I was able to use the legal knowledge I learned in my first two years of my degree and develop legal skills I wouldn’t have an opportunity to learn at university. The biggest highlight of the placement year was when I had the opportunity to assist with the G7 happening in Cornwall.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
I really the Exeter campus and how passionate the lecturers were about their subjects.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
It has always been regarded as a good university and I wanted to study in the south.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The legal placement year has been the most useful experience to date. That year allowed me access to the legal work very early on. It taught me what was required of paralegals and lawyers, how things ran in law firms or legal teams and exposed me to working with clients.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Gain paralegal experience or any legal experience for that matter. It will be extremely useful when applying for jobs because you will have lots of real life examples of when you utilised specific skills or dealt with specific situations. The placement year is a good way of gaining this experience.
What are your plans for the future?
Obtain a training contract and become a solicitor.
