If you’re struggling to decide on what you’d like to do after university, it’s sometimes useful to gain inspiration from students who have come before you.
Here you can find profiles from Northumbria graduates and discover – in their own words – what they studied during their time here and what they went on to do. Hopefully hearing from your peers will help you in determining how best to utilise your degree.
Graduate Futures - Celebrating Graduate Success: Anthony May
Anthony May graduated with an MLaw
(Exempting) degree in 2023. Anthony is
currently a trainee solicitor at Sintons LLP , a commercial law firm based in Newcastle. He is also a Trustee and Director of the
national charity Changing Lives.
Anthony actively engaged with Graduate Futures careers support during his law studies through tailored one to one careers advice appointments and he attended events and workshops. Anthony recently returned to Northumbria University to support Graduate Futures' IGNITE programme. IGNITE is a career and employability programme designed to help students kickstart their future career through a series of workshops that boost confidence, leadership, networking and team working skills. Anthony contributed as a panel member to a session focusing on the topic of Imposter Syndrome. This provided students an opportunity to hear about and learn from first hand experiences and strategies that can help overcome internal doubts that can hinder professional and personal development.
Anthony had several challenges and personal commitments during his time at university, such as being a registered carer for his grandfather. This meant that despite the amazing opportunities that were open to him outside of the region, particularly in London, Anthony decided that he could not leave the North East.
Anthony accessed Graduate Futures' careers support, utilising careers resources and engaging in one-to-one careers guidance appointments with Andy Fishburn, Graduate Futures Careers Adviser. This tailored support helped Anthony to see the opportunities in the region and the opportunity to build his career in the region he loves.
During university he took part in a number of extracurricular activities. This included running the North East Junior Lawyers Division, a Junior Lawyers Division supporting a community of junior lawyers who get involved in social and educational events, networking opportunities, recruitment talks and support for their members. Anthony also helped to launch a social mobility charity for the legal profession whilst working in a number of roles in the healthcare, hospitality and transport sectors alongside his caring responsibilities.
Anthonys Reflections
‘ I know how hard it can be to juggle these things. I think the support of Northumbria University - particularly from my personal tutor and Graduate Futures - have allowed me to excel and take on the roles and responsibilities I now hold. In addition to my role as a trainee solicitor, I am also a trustee and director of a national charity (Changing Lives) which has given me the opportunity to use my lived experience of homelessness to benefit our wider society. There is no doubt in my mind that Northumbria Law School and the Graduate Fuutures teams are partially responsible for me thriving in spite of the adversity I have faced. It helped me to become the person I am today. I strive for continuous self-development and I think the law school and GF provided an important platform to allow me to be my best self ‘.
Anthony's Careers Tip
‘Believe in yourself. Do not measure your success against others, measure it against your own values. You will get to where you want to be’.
If you are interested in finding out about graduate employment and earnings and other graduate data you might like to visit Discover Uni website.
You can also join your Northumbria Alumni Association and keep up to date with all the latest alumni and University news whilst ensuring that you retain the lifelong connections you made whilst studying with us. Moreover, using Northumbria University’s Alumni information on LinkedIn will give you the opportunity to network, allowing you to connect with more than 150,000 graduates and learn about their career paths.
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