We recently caught up with Law graduate and Commercial Solicitor, Eleanor Toomey, on her time at St Mary's and her career journey since leaving the University.
Why did you choose to come to St Mary’s?
I have always attended Catholic Schools throughout my education, and when it came to look at universities it seemed like the logical choice to explore St Mary’s. My first visit was the St Mary’s open day, and from the outset something just clicked. I really enjoyed the community feel and campus environment that was absent at other universities.
After the open day, I was fortunate enough to attend a law summer school, and this further insight into life at St Mary’s reframed the feeling I had at the open day. The time at the summer school also gave me glimpse into university life and I left the experience knowing that St Marys is where I was meant to be.
How did you find the teaching and lecturers on the course?
I thoroughly enjoyed my studies at St Mary’s. With the Law LLB course there are mandatory modules that you are required to study, but the variety of optional modules on offer was vast. I was really surprised at this, as not all law school offer such a vast selection topics to study, especially with St Mary’s having been a smaller law school at the time. I had the privilege of studying modules, such as medical law and ethics, jurisprudence and human rights law.
The level of support was unprecedent from the staff at St Mary’s. You weren’t anonymous, your lecturers knew you and no matter the lecture size you felt supported throughout. Lecturers were approachable during lectures and seminar, and if you needed one to one appointment, they would offer a great level of mentorship alongside your studies.
How did you find student life at St Mary’s?
I loved student life at St Mary’s. It was a work hard, play hard experience. I loved the campus size because you got to know everyone. Whether I was living on campus in my first year or living in the local area during my second and third year, I would always see a friendly face on campus whether that was staff or student.
The Student Union ran a variety of event from careers fairs to movie nights. Especially, during Welcome Week, which was the perfect opportunity to make friends outside of my halls and course.
I also played rugby during my time at St Mary’s, which was so much fun. It was a sport I had not played before university, but it was such an amazing to try something new, learn a new skill and make friends along the way.
I think whether you are somebody who enjoys nightlife, playing a sport or being a part of a society, there is something for everyone at St Mary’s.
What did you go on to do after you graduated?
After graduation, I started my first legal job back home in Essex as a Paralegal. The firm I was working for then subsequently offered me a training contract. After two years of training and studying for my master’s degree in the evenings, I qualified as solicitor and specialised in corporate and commercial law.
Shortly after the pandemic, I took a sidestep outside of law and worked in the industry of international trade and development, which was a great insight into the business world.
I have recently just started a new job back in corporate and commercial law at law firm in Chelmsford, which I am loving. I am very much living the life I dreamed at a university.
How did St Mary’s help with the early stages of your career?
During my time at St Mary’s, we had numerous events and opportunities where you could speak to barristers, solicitors and judges. The connections made through these events gave me great insight into the legal profession and reaffirmed that law was something I wanted to peruse.
As I have already said, the lectures also offered great mentorship, which had such a positive impact on me, they gave me the voice and confidence to actively take steps into my legal career. I think having a good relationship with them and them knowing me as an individual really helped to shape me as a person ready for the professional world.
The careers team at St Mary’s were also a great asset too. They offered very practical help when I needed it, particularly with interviews and assessment centres.
The support from St Mary’s definitely helped me take the step into the legal professions and in those early stages of my career.
How did you feel you grew as a person at St Mary's?
At St Mary’s, I put a lot in and got a lot out. I worked hard on my studies took part in extracurricular activities such as being Law Society president in my second and third year, alongside embracing all the social aspect at St Marys. During my time here, I grew as a person.
I joined St Mary’s an eager 18-year-old, really excited about this next step in my life albeit a bit naïve of the realities of adulthood, St Mary’s provided me the perfect opportunity to grow and develop as an adult so that when I left, I had the skill set to enter the world as prepared as I could be for the next steps in life both professional and personal.
What do your family make of your achievements?
I think they're all really happy with where I've got to in my life, personally and professionally. They've also all enjoyed my time at St Mary's, they loved coming to visit and watching me play rugby; albeit badly. My sister loved St Mary’s so much that she ended up reading History here and then working with the learning and people development team for some time.
So, it has been a full family affair!
What has that been like coming back and now being a position where you're actually talking to our current students about your journey?
I love doing it. Even when I was running the Law Society, I really enjoyed mentoring the first years and sharing advice about my experience the mistakes I made and lessons I learned.
I will also come back to St Mary's because it gave me so much. I'm very frank about my pathway to law and the fact that it’s not always picture-perfect. I try and impart that on the students, that although the path may not always be picture perfect, with tenacity and patience you can achieve your dreams.