Destiny Odogiyan
Name: Destiny Odogiyan
Course: Law with Politics
Year of Study: 3
Graduation Year: 2025
What work experience did you do?
I completed a three-day mini pupillage at 33 Bedford Row Chambers.
What was it that inspired you to look for work experience?
I am an aspiring barrister, and I am always looking for ways that I can further enhance my skills and gain practical experience of what a career at the Bar looks like.
Why did you choose to do work experience in this area?
I chose to do this mini pupillage because I wanted to gain an insight of what working in the London Bar looks like compared to the regional Bar. This was important for me because I am in the process of thinking about where I want to practice when I do qualify.
Give a brief snapshot of your role:
- Observing hearings at court in landlord and tenant, criminal, equity and trusts and family law.
- Broadening my understanding of court procedures such as jury pooling, ABE and giving evidence through CVP.
How did the Bursary award support you in gaining experience?
The Bursary award provided me with financial support to cover the accommodation and travel expenses for my mini pupillage.
What were the most enjoyable aspects of your role?
This experience was really useful for me as it gave me the opportunity to learn about an array of areas in law and it also allowed me to see how areas I have studied play out in practice. I enjoyed being able to see such great examples of advocacy.
What were the challenges?
There was not really that many challenges. I think the only thing is that with mini pupillages the plan for each day can change due to their being unforeseen issues that arise at court. There may be times when you do have to play the waiting game due to delays caused by technology or other things.
Did you have any worries or concerns before your work experience and if so how were they dealt with and overcome?
I think my main worry was just about whether I would be able to get experience in the areas of law that interested me. This was dealt with effectively by the chambers as I was assigned to different barristers each day and I was able to observe hearings in various areas of law.
What specific or transferable skills did you develop through the work experience?
I was able to develop skills such as communication, case management and oral advocacy as I was able to observe different forms of advocacy at the hearings from various barristers. I also learnt a lot about the preparation that goes into making submissions at court, the key to successfully advocating for your client is by making sure to do your research and to pay attention to all the details.
Did the work experience give you any insights and have these influenced your career pathway?
This experience gave me a great insight into a career at the London Bar looks like. It has reinforced for me that I do want to qualify and have a career at the Bar.
Do you have any words of wisdom for future students looking to gain work experience?
Just to not give up! I know that it can be hard to keep on applying when you feel like you are getting constant rejections. But the key thing to remember is that all that it takes is that one yes. I also would like to highlight that if you are getting many rejections, it can be an opportunity for reflection and improvement. The university has a great career service that has many resources available to help you improve your applications.