Making a career in law accessible
How alumni volunteers are helping to change futures.
For many young people, a university degree – let alone a career in law – can feel out of reach. Too often, the profession is perceived as exclusive, expensive, or reserved for those with family connections. The Sutton Trust is working to change that.
In partnership with Cardiff University, the Pathways to Law programme supports talented local school and college students to explore the legal sector. Aimed at young people from low-income families, those in care, or the first in their family to attend university, the programme helps students build confidence, understand the profession, and take their first steps towards a potential legal career.
Through workshops, guidance sessions, and employer insight days, participants also experience Cardiff University’s campus, meet staff, and gain first-hand advice from recent Cardiff law graduates.
Recently, three such alumni, Eleanor Parsons (LLB 2020), Genevieve Forester (LLB 2023) and Maddison Coomber (LLB 2023) returned to Cardiff to speak to a group of 50 Year 12 students about their journeys into law and what the profession is really like.
Eleanor, now a solicitor in the Civil Service, was herself a Pathways to Law student more than a decade ago. She knows first-hand just how transformative the programme can be.
You can't be what you can't see
“I was the first in my family to go to university, let alone into the legal profession, so Pathways to Law and the Sutton Trust were a crucial part of my support network when embarking on this remarkable career. Without it, I would have felt even more out of the loop with the jargon and traditions of the legal sector. The programme explained things clearly and ‘myth-busted’ so much of what can feel intimidating about law.”
Returning as a volunteer, she says, feels both important and personal.
“The phrase ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ hits the nail on the head. I only understood what a legal career could look like because people ahead of me took the time to share their stories, their paths, and their advice.”
“This programme humanises the law profession and shows that talent and drive matter far more than which school you attended or the hurdles you’ve had to overcome.”
Eleanor Parsons (LLB 2020)
Genevieve, now a trainee solicitor at Capital Law, first supported the programme as a Pathways to Law Ambassador when she was a student. Coming back as an alum felt like a natural next step.
Demystifying the profession
“As an ambassador, I loved sharing my university experience with the Pathways students. So when I was invited back to speak with this year’s cohort, I thought this was a good opportunity to talk about my career experience so far and give my advice for making the most of their work placements.”
She adds, “Law can be a challenging career path to navigate, especially if you don’t have people in your family to speak to. Hearing from alumni can make it feel accessible and achievable and help to demystify what can be a confusing industry.”
“Making a career in law more accessible for everyone, regardless of background, is very important for the profession.”
Genevieve Forester (LLB 2023)
Maddison, now a Family Legal Assistant at Howells Solicitors, also served as a Pathways to Law Ambassador during her time at Cardiff. She remembers how beneficial the programme was to students, so when the opportunity came up to come back as an alum to share her experiences, she jumped at the chance.
Alumni helped guide me
“This was my third time volunteering, and it’s always such a fun event. I enjoy catching up with the staff who shaped my journey and meeting students who are right at the start of theirs. It really does feel full‑circle. I was the first in my family to go to university, and at their age, I didn’t know anyone in the legal industry at all.”
She reflects on how alumni speakers shaped her own path: “When I was a student, hearing from alumni made a future in law feel less abstract and more achievable. It turned ‘one day I hope…’ into ‘this is possible for me.’”
“For many young people, the idea of studying law can feel intimidating. Hearing from someone who once sat exactly where they are can completely change that.”
“Alumni can offer honesty, reassurance, and a sense of community that you can’t always get from a prospectus or careers talk. Students want to hear real stories, including the highs and lows.”
Maddison Coomber (LLB 2023)
For Maddison, her motivation to return is also rooted in visibility and representation.
“These events remind students that they can be ambitious, they are capable, and there is absolutely space for them in this profession.”
“Additionally, as a woman in law, there’s something incredibly inspiring about watching women lift each other up, hold the door open, and be transparent about the realities of the profession. That sense of community has stayed with me and is why I now enjoy returning to Cardiff University for these events.”
Breaking down barriers
Programmes like Pathways to Law help smooth the transition to university and demystify a profession that can feel impenetrable to those without connections. For alumni, volunteering even an hour of their time can have a profound impact – offering reassurance, representation and real-world insight that students can’t get anywhere else.
By sharing their experiences, Cardiff alumni are widening access, breaking down barriers, and showing the next generation that there is space for them in this profession. And, as Eleanor, Genevieve and Maddison prove, the act of giving back is as rewarding for alumni as it is inspiring for the students they support.
Get involved with volunteering
At Cardiff University, our worldwide alumni community plays an active role in our ambitious future. Give your time, expertise, and experience to support and inspire students and your fellow alumni.
