Graduate Visa Case Study

Himieka Jain

What did you study at Durham, and when did you graduate?

I studied LLB Law and graduated in June 2024.

Why did you choose Durham University for your studies?

Durham Law School was top 5 in the UK for an LLB, and I wanted to set myself up for good career prospects by studying at a top law school.

What kind of role or industry are you currently working in?

I’m currently working in higher education in a business administration role.

How did you find your current job, and what was the process like?

I found it through Durham’s Taleo page. The process included a simple CV and cover letter submission, followed by an hour-long interview (30 minutes for a task and 30 minutes for an interview).

How did Durham support you in preparing for the UK job market? (e.g. careers services, workshops, employer events)

Durham’s careers service has some really amazing people who care about the students they work with. They organised a law-specific careers week on campus where top law firms were invited to network with students, and held other events such as confidence-building workshops. Durham Law Society also had partnerships with law firms like Hogan Lovells, Travers Smith, Simmons & Simmons, who all came on campus to allow students the opportunity to speak with solicitors. The law school itself organised guest lectures on interesting topics like space law, and organised moot courts to develop mooting skills.

Did any specific experiences at Durham help you feel more confident transitioning into a working professional?

Yes, I had the opportunity to intern for some PS departments while studying. These were DU-exclusive internships which were open to applications only from Durham students. I was an intern for the Marketing team, where I gained experience on The Student Room, and learned a lot of skills transferable to roles like the one I’m currently in. That experience opened up the doors to various opportunities for me, including another internship with the Placement Years team in the University’s Careers Service. That again led me to obtaining an internship in a family court in London where I gained exposure to court hearings, drawing court orders, liaising with Magistrates and legal advisors. I also then secured two vacation schemes in top law firms in Bristol and London.

Why did you apply for the Graduate visa, and how has it supported your career goals so far?

I applied for it in July 2024, and received the visa in mid-August 2024. I’ve been able to apply for many roles on this visa, without needing sponsorship from an organisation.