Equipping Student Volunteers and Interns with “Confidence and Experience”
How has working or volunteering for Citizens Advice prepared students for their future careers? Whether it’s building new skills, meeting new people or understanding the issues that affect local communities – Citizens Advice LeicesterShire equips young people with the “confidence and experience” to move forward in their career journey.
We are extremely proud that we are able to give students the opportunity to volunteer or work for us, enabling them to develop advocacy skills whilst supporting underrepresented communities.
Whether you’re seeking work experience, exploring options, looking for a purpose or just want to help others, volunteering for a charity can be a powerful place to start. Volunteering is not only beneficial for mental health and wellbeing (for more information, you can read our blog about the “feel-good power of volunteering”), but it can also provide a starting point in your career path.
Advocacy in action: How Citizens Advice LeicesterShire prepared me for the bar
Deborah started as a volunteer for Citizens Advice LeicesterShire, then worked as our East Midlands Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Network (EMSTN) Advice Worker alongside studying law at the University of Leicester and studying for the bar course at City Law School.
She has now obtained pupillage at a top law set in London.
“Volunteering gave me the confidence and experience to apply for the EMSTN position.
Alongside my role, I was studying the bar course at City Law School in London, as it is my dream to work as a barrister. This job fit perfectly around my studies and provided me with the unique opportunity to advocate for underrepresented communities across the East Midlands.
While working in this role, I applied for pupillage. During the application process, I repeatedly drew on my experience from this role and I have no doubt that it was instrumental in helping me obtain pupillage at a top common law set in London.
Overall, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work for Citizens Advice LeicesterShire. Not only did I receive support from colleagues to succeed in this role, I was encouraged throughout to aim high and pursue a career at the Bar. It was a truly positive experience and I’d encourage all law students or graduates to volunteer or work for Citizens Advice in some capacity.”
Developing “transferable skills”: Our DeMontfort University interns
Our internship scheme with De Montfort University (DMU) has also been a great way for students to get hands-on experience with our Income & Development team, Research & Campaigns as well as in-person visits to see our advice service in action.
Abigail, a law student from DMU who interned with us this year, says that her time at Citizens Advice LeicesterShire has given her a “deeper understanding of the charity’s mission and the meaningful work it carries out.”
“I have witnessed firsthand the impact of its Research & Campaigns work, and can confidently say that every team member is genuinely committed to creating positive change.”
Also adding: “From day one, the team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, making the experience both enriching and enjoyable.”
Another intern, Marli, also studies law at DMU. She particularly valued seeing our advisers in action, inspiring her to continue volunteering:
“The experience deepened my understanding of the complex challenges people face and highlighted the crucial, yet often underappreciated, role that charities play in supporting communities.
My experience here has been eye-opening and has helped me develop transferable skills that will be essential in my legal career.”
Make sure to keep an eye out for volunteering opportunities and vacancies on our “Join our team” page.