Estelle Dekker

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?

I was motivated to pursue postgraduate study because I felt I could do more outside of my undergraduate degree and had always wanted to pursue a career in law. Additionally, I felt that my undergraduate degree did not set me up for a successful career as a lawyer, so I needed to further my education and convert my degree into law.

I am glad I continued my study because I do not think I was ready to join the job market yet, and I still need further training to feel truly prepared.

What were you doing before applying for a postgraduate degree?

Before starting my Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), I was studying Arts and Festivals Management at De Montfort University. I chose this degree because I was interested in the Entertainment Sector and hoped to learn more about it from a management and business perspective.

I wanted to be a lawyer within the Entertainment industry but did not think that I had enough background in the industry to support this goal.

By doing this degree, I developed this understanding and built up more credibility for my career goals. I also wanted to be sure of my career goals before committing to law because it is an investment, and I had not very much experience with the law yet, so I used my undergraduate degree as the time to develop my legal work experience and understand why I wanted to be a lawyer.

Were there any challenges affecting your decision to study a postgraduate degree? If so, how did you overcome them?

I would say a challenge a lot of people face is the pressure to get a job and start working after having completed their undergraduate degree.

It can be hard to watch your friends and peers start working and earning a wage and furthering their careers while you continue studying, which might deter people from furthering their education.

For me, it was less a case of overcoming this challenge but more a case of understanding that I was also progressing and taking steps towards my future career goals; my steps just looked a little different.

Why did you choose City St George's?

The main reason I chose City St George's was for the community and facilities which the university offered. A lot of my other options in London did not provide the same level of teaching and support that City St George's has.

The range of cafes, study spaces, common areas and events means that even outside of class time, there is plenty of space to spend your free time.

The university offers all that you will need in one place. I think for future law students; The City Law School offers an open and welcoming space where you can meet like-minded people and learn in a more comparable way to your undergraduate degree.

What does a typical week at university look like for you?

The usual week for me consists of roughly seven two-hour lectures and three to four one-hour tutorials to focus on certain topics. Outside of class time, I do readings and revisions of what we have covered so far and prepare for tutorials.

In my first term, I was also doing pro bono work at the Law Clinic to build my work experience and help the local community.

I am also currently training for a half-marathon with some of my coursemates, so I run outside of university time to include some exercise in my week.

My coursemates and I go to the pub frequently at the end of the week and have lunch together daily to catch up on non-law chats and socialise outside of study time. Sometimes we also go out into London and see shows or go out to eat to explore the rest of the city.

On the weekends, my friends or boyfriend visit London, and we will go out for dinner or watch a movie or do some baking or watch some sports games together. Sometimes I travel home by train to take a break from the working week and catch up with my family.

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

My favourite aspect of my course so far has been seeing and understanding the legal side of situations and real-life experiences that I am familiar with; such as Mortgages, Wills, Contracts, the European Union and different types of negligence and liability.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

The majority of my course has been focused on developing my legal knowledge and skills needed to be a successful lawyer in the future. Outside of the legal skills, my course has developed skills needed for future employability, such as writing applications, research skills, communication, teamworking, time management, and academic writing.

What opportunities and experiences has City St George's offered you so far?

There are many legal societies which City St George's has on offer which you can join, from Women in Law to the general Law Society. There are also a range of sports teams which you can join if that is something you might be interested in too.

I decided to do pro bono in the University Legal Advice Centre in my first term because it was a good way to meet other people in the The City Law School. I wanted to help the local community and also further my legal experience, so this was a good choice for me. The City Law School also offered a wider range of pro bono extra-curricular opportunities for both solicitors and barristers.

What are your career plans and how has City St George's prepared you for them?

I am hoping to become a solicitor in the Entertainment and Sports sector. City St George's has helped me prepare for this by providing talks and events to meet with future employers and firms. They also offer career counselling to help with applications and interviews, and lecturers are happy to support you with some guidance.

What advice would you give to someone considering a postgraduate degree?

I would say if the degree is in an area that you are interested in and that will help you succeed in your career goals, then do it. The best piece of advice I can give is any progress is still a step forward in the right direction, and it is never too late to try something new or expand an area of interest through further training or education. You will never stop learning!