“This experience has greatly boosted my confidence in planning a career in law,” says Nu’ualofa – an attendee at our recent Great Potentials Foundation workshop in Auckland.
As part of our sponsorship of the foundation, we partnered with their MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme) programme to host the day-long workshop. It gave 15 mentors and Year 13 mentees a sneak-peak of life at a law firm in the hope of inspiring future careers in the legal profession.
“Today’s experience at Lane Neave was incredibly informative and beneficial,” says Nu’ualofa.
“I gained valuable insights from the speakers and employees, and learned a great deal about corporate law. The three junior lawyers were particularly helpful.”
Attendees heard from lawyers at various stages in their careers, CEO Peter Dwan, and a range of people working in support functions such as a Legal PA and managers of People & Capability, and Communications & Marketing.
Another mentee, Stephanie, says she learned three lessons from the day.
“I learned about the advantages of becoming a lawyer, the fact that you don’t need to know everything from the start, and the importance of learning as you go.
“I also gained a clearer understanding of what Lane Neave offers and how it can support my career. Hearing that even junior lawyers continue to grow despite occasional uncertainty has significantly increased my confidence. I now feel more assured about charting my path toward a career in law.”
Elisapeta, a mentee at Mangere College who wants to study law, says she now feels confident about pursuing a career in law, having learned about the challenges and benefits involved.
Great Potentials is one of a variety of charitable causes and community projects we actively support throughout New Zealand.