I started my undergraduate degree at 21. I was ready to take the next step, but I also knew I needed a university that would work for me, not just academically but practically. I wanted to stay local so I could continue working alongside my studies. Financial independence and building experience were important to me. When I attended an Open Day at Greenwich, something just clicked.
Choosing Greenwich and backing myself
I started my undergraduate degree at 21. I was ready to take the next step, but I also knew I needed a university that would work for me, not just academically but practically. I wanted to stay local so I could continue working alongside my studies. Financial independence and building experience were important to me.
When I attended an Open Day at Greenwich, something just clicked. The campus is historic and unlike anywhere else. There is a real sense of atmosphere there. I remember thinking after my interview that I really hoped I would get in. It felt like somewhere I could grow, not just study.
Looking back, choosing Greenwich gave me the balance I needed. I was able to support myself financially while completing my degree, which in itself built resilience and discipline. It meant learning to manage my time carefully from day one.
Studying law and learning to think differently
What stood out most about the course was the variety, especially in third year. Being able to choose from different areas of law allowed me to broaden my knowledge and challenge myself in new ways. It was not just about learning legislation. It was about understanding how the law works in practice, how it affects people and how to approach complex problems logically.
Studying law sharpened my analytical thinking and attention to detail. Every assignment required structure, precision and the ability to construct a clear argument. Over time, I became much more confident in managing large pieces of work and breaking them down into achievable steps.
Time management was one of the biggest skills I developed. Balancing part-time work with a demanding degree forced me to become organised and proactive. I had to plan ahead, map out deadlines and hold myself accountable. That ability to structure my workload is something I use every single day in my current role.
I also felt genuinely supported by my lecturers. When I secured a week’s work experience at a law firm, they encouraged me and gave me the confidence to step into that professional environment. That early exposure to the workplace made a difference. It showed me that the skills I was building at university had real-world value.
Volunteering, leadership and professional growth
Since graduating, my career path has evolved in ways I could not have fully predicted when I started my degree. I began working as a cashier at Jones Lang LaSalle, moved into administrative roles, and now work as a Project Coordinator at Pinsent Masons.
Although I did not move directly into legal practice, my law degree underpins everything I do. Studying law taught me how to analyse complex information, assess risk, structure arguments and work to tight deadlines. Those skills translate directly into project coordination.
Project work requires careful planning, stakeholder communication and an ability to anticipate potential issues before they arise. Legal study trains you to think in exactly that way. Managing multiple modules, balancing work and study, and delivering detailed assignments on time developed my discipline and organisation. Today, I apply that same structured approach when managing timelines, coordinating tasks and supporting a variety of scale projects within a law firm environment.
Working in a professional services setting also feels familiar because of my academic background. I understand the importance of precision, accountability and clear communication. My degree gave me technical knowledge, but it also gave me credibility and confidence in professional spaces which prepared me for my career.
Alongside my role at Pinsent Masons, I volunteer with the Association for Project Management, supporting the Corporate Engagement stream in London. Volunteering has become a significant part of my professional development.
I am particularly proud of becoming a stream lead and helping to relaunch the Corporate Engagement stream after a few years. Relaunching it required leadership, organisation and collaboration. It involved engaging stakeholders, coordinating events and building momentum again from the ground up. Holding one of the first events following the relaunch was a real milestone for me. It represented growth, initiative and the willingness to step forward into responsibility.
Volunteering has strengthened my professional network and allowed me to connect with experienced project managers across the industry. It has also reinforced my long-term goal of becoming a Project Manager and achieving chartered status in the future.
For me, employability has not just been about securing a job. It has been about continuously developing skills, building relationships and taking opportunities to lead. Every role I have taken on, whether paid or voluntary, has contributed to the professional I am becoming, and it something I started while studying at Greenwich.
Looking ahead
When I think about my time at Greenwich, graduation stands out as a defining moment. Completing my law degree while balancing work was a personal achievement I am incredibly proud of. Having my mum and grandad there to celebrate with me made it even more meaningful. It was not just a ceremony. It represented commitment, resilience and the belief that I could build something for myself.
That day marked the end of one chapter, but more importantly, it marked the beginning of my professional journey.
Greenwich gave me far more than a qualification. It gave me the structure, confidence and practical skills that I now apply every day in my career. It taught me how to manage competing priorities, communicate effectively and approach challenges with clarity and organisation. Those foundations continue to shape how I work.
The friendships and professional networks I built have also stayed with me. Meeting people with different ambitions broadened my perspective and helped me think more strategically about my own future.
Looking ahead, I want to continue progressing into a Project Manager role and work towards becoming chartered. I also hope to keep volunteering and mentoring others, just as I was supported during my own journey while at Greenwich.
For me, Greenwich was not simply where I earned a degree. It was where I built the foundations of my career, developed confidence in my abilities and proved to myself that I could turn ambition into action.
