law school graduate

The more you put in the more you get out. College is very ‘grades’ focused whereas co-op, I believe, is all about showing up, having a good attitude, learning to communicate effectively, as well as a strong desire to learn.

Trainee solicitor Jemima shares with us how her co-op placement helped her to secure a training contract after college.

Tell us a bit about yourself, what course did you study in UL, what has your career looked like to date?

My name is Jemima Militti, and I began my undergraduate journey with UL in September 2017. I studied Law Plus and graduated with a First Class Honours in August 2021. I began my traineeship with RDJ, a top 10 Irish Law Firm, in 2022 and I am due to qualify as a solicitor in January 2025.

Tell us a bit about your co-op placement, what organisation did you work with and what year it took place?

My co-op placement was an 8-month internship with RDJ which began in May 2019 and ended in January 2020.

What impact did your co-op placement have on your future career?

Before embarking on my co-op journey, I was sure I wanted to become a barrister, however, that desire quickly changed thanks to a very positive co-op experience. I now knew I wanted to pursue a career as a solicitor. Prior to completing my co-op with RDJ, I was totally unaware of the 8 FE1 exams, the Law Society Entrance Exams. These exams are quite strenuous and the correct study material for them is both costly and scarce so preparing yourself financially and mentally is crucial to avoid hitting the ‘FE1 brick wall’!

Without gaining this experience with a law firm through the UL co-op programme, I would not have known so early on about the FE1 exams and that they were a requirement for entry into a traineeship with the Law Society of Ireland. This early insight enabled me to start the third year of my law degree with two very clear goals in mind; graduate with a first-class honours and have 4 out of the 8 FE1 exams finished by the final year. Looking back, I am very proud that I achieved both of these goals.

Upon completion of my co-op placement with RDJ, I secured a training contract with the firm. For the next two years, I worked very hard to finish my degree and all 8 FE1’s. I returned to RDJ in January 2022 and after almost 3 years working with RDJ as a trainee solicitor, I am thrilled to say I will be qualifying as a solicitor in January 2025.

What piece of advice would you give to students going on co-op now?

Give it your all! It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain experience but also realise your own potential. The more you put in the more you get out. College is very ‘grades’ focused whereas co-op, I believe, is all about showing up, having a good attitude, learning to communicate effectively, and having a strong desire to learn.