Thread by @ambermhobson, #MyRouteToTheBar Born to a working class family living in a seaside town. [...]

#MyRouteToTheBar Born to a working class family living in a seaside town. Got a scholarship for the posh secondary school over the river. Did a mock trial at 18 and though arguing for a living might be a bit of a lark.

Didnt get my predicted A Levels as I got punched at my leavers do (rock and roll) so sat my exams with one eye. Do not recommend, particularly when one of your exams is Ancient History and some of the text is very small....

Turned out alright as I shipped of to @UniOfHull which was one of the best 3 years ever; made amazing friends/had amazing lecturers. Partied hard but nonetheless managed a 2:1. People started telling me I would never be a barrister without a first. Decided to do an LLM

Worked hard on the LLM whilst working various little bar jobs and living at home so I could afford it. Started doing mini pupillages. Started hearing more and more that it wasnt wise to do the bar course. One southern barrister told me I should only apply up North ...

Because Northerners don't do well in London. Another told me to lose the accent. Started to wonder if I was mad to keep going. Parents (who are the real rockstars of this tale) said no pet, keep going. So I did.

Went off to do the BPTC. Was told I would not be able to work and take the course full time. Could not afford not to, so started working in Morrisons. Eventually my boss (who I did not care for) started giving me 12 hour shifts on Sundays. I still managed to come away with a VC.

If you are a student in this position (need to work whilst studying) feel free to reach out for tips. Back to the tale. I burst out of law school and moved home. Got a job in my local Morrisons as a plant and flower lady. I did all kinds of overtime to save in case pupillage...

However it wasn't to be and I struggled to find another job. Eventually a local solicitor asked my Dad how I was getting on (I did a little work experience with him back in school). He invited me to call him. He supervised me to becoming a police station rep. A turning point.

After that I got paralegal job after paralegal job. None paid well but all offered amazing experience. Pupillage still alluded me. I decided to give up because it wouldnt happen. My dad who has never asked for any favour from me EVER asked me to apply this last time for him.

Got offers of interview. Was under no illusions having had interviews before. But then something happened... I went back to Hull and interviewed at @Wilberforce_Bar with @clbaines grilling me as a Judge. I felt a bit weird like, hang on, I think I might fit in here?

Fast forward and I was in the parking lot of paralegal job no.3 and I received a call that changed everything. A year and a bit later my pupillage started and I got to share that journey with the amazing @chloeogley

I started my LLB in 2009 so a full ten years later I came back to finish the job. Eleven years later and I'm here. A proud northern lass, an openly queer champion of LGBT rights, a liberal bleeding heart and now a wig wearing warrior.

My advice? Follow your gut!

Only you will know whether you have the right stuff. Don't listen to the naysayers. Don't underestimate networking!

And if you're in the midst of the pupillage hunt (aka the hunger games), don't give up. It took me the full 5 years but I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere!

Bonus chapter of #MyRouteToTheBar being unceremoniously terminated in paralegal gig no.1 and ending up with being offered a lecturing job in the pub. Part time, so also became a sales exec for Samsung.

Sometimes life has a plan! Just keep walking.
Promise I'm done now

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