Like any good journey in life, planning and preparation is vital to produce the right experience, and it all started for me, at The McKinstry Company.

I joined the firm in August 2018, taking up a position as a Conveyancing Secretary. Previous to that I had 25 years of legal experience, working in a similar role for two established law practices. I saw an opportunity to join The McKinstry Company and had long admired their high profile and well-regarded services. My personal aim was to progress my legal career and as a girl in her 50s! I needed to work for an organisation that would value my years of personal and extensive experience. In the words of a past American President…Do what you can, with what you have, where you are…and these words of wisdom were to carry me through my training and studying for my Paralegal Qualification.

I was working for TMC for about six months when I was approached by the partners and asked if I would like to start the process of becoming a Conveyancing Paralegal, for the firm. You can imagine my shock at the opportunity to become a mature student, and my first task was to write a letter to the partners, explaining why I would like to do the Paralegal Qualification and what positive outcomes I could bring to The McKinstry Company.

So the journey began, and from the outset, I was counselled and supported throughout the entry and administrative process of getting my course started, even down to applying for my study book pack, which upon arrival looked daunting.

Fortunately, I had excellent contact at Central Law Training from the University of Strathclyde and internal support from my immediate boss at The McKinstry Company.

I never felt any pressure of time and was told by the company that the process would take up to two years, but with my previous legal experience, I should be familiar with some of the subjects as I had done Conveyancing work in the past as well as criminal, civil, matrimonial and divorce work. During the weeks and months to follow I worked my way through the various modules and assignments, which were marked and returned to me from my tutor at the University of Strathclyde.

The anticipation of getting a good mark on my current assignment helped me to stay on track and motivated. I can confess to sitting on the beachfront at BENIDORM on holiday one day and texting my tutor to see if my current assignment had been marked, such was my enthusiasm! Gradually, I progressed through the allotted modules and assignments and felt happy with my general performance on achieving some good pass marks.

Finally, it was time to approach The University of Strathclyde to enquire about the Exam diet dates. In true form, they came back to me with two options on sitting the exam and perhaps finally gaining my Conveyancing Paralegal Qualification. I was offered a Diet date at University or the option to sit the exam at The McKinstry Company under exam conditions with an invigilator from the firm. I opted for the latter and after discussions with my team leader, Kirsty McDonald, Solicitor, we set about agreeing a date and the process of getting the exam papers and an office in which I could take the exam, under supervision in a familiar environment, which was an immense help to me, right down to the 3 large signs on the door saying, DO NOT DISTURB, EXAM IN PROGRESS!

….Several weeks later my result came in as a PASS with a score of 92%…I could not have been happier and was truly humbled by the depth of affection and genuine support from everyone at The McKinstry Company.

So where are we now, I can tell you I have drunk the Champagne and have actually started work, as a Conveyancing Paralegal. WOW.

I now speak to clients on all matters conveyancing and its really great when the work is complete and clients are so pleased when they get the keys to their new home and onwards to a new journey for them. It’s very satisfying for me as part of the team at The McKinstry Company and, in the knowledge, I can make a greater contribution by developing my own skills and upholding the firm’s name, as A LAW FIRM FOR LIFE.

On a personal note, this has been a fantastic journey, as a mature student, and hope more organisations see the real benefits of turning experience into tangible benefits for both individuals and forward-thinking, modern organisations.We look forward to getting you the advice and assistance you need.