Please, tell us something about yourself

• Name: Mona Gholami
• Uni: Law LLB Graduate 2018
• Current position: Trainee Solicitor at Knights plc
• Goals: to be a Partner in a law firm and a mentor for aspiring solicitors from diverse backgrounds
• Hobbies: playing the piano and hiking

Why did you choose to study Law at Royal Holloway?

I visited an open day while I was studying for my A-levels and from the outset I loved the fact that Royal Holloway was a campus university, close to London and part of the University of London group. When I found out more about the Law programme, I really liked that I would be in a smaller cohort, a close-knit group of students and more support and resources available to us than a much larger cohort would have.

What was your experience like at RHUL? What did you enjoy the most? 

My experience at Royal Holloway was great, I can’t pinpoint just one thing that made my experience standout because overall I had a positive experience in every aspect, not only through the people I met and the friendships that were made but also the course that I chose and the professors that I got to learn from.

Did you take advantage of any of the extra-curricular activities organised by the Department? Do you think they helped you? How and why?

I got involved with mooting and mock court that was organised by Dr David Yuratich. Mooting really boosted my confidence in public speaking. Before getting involved in these activities I would get quite nervous speaking to an audience but after taking advantage of the various advocacy sessions organised by the department, I felt much more confident and (surprisingly!) really enjoyed advocacy by the end of it. This then encouraged me to get involved in other extra-curricular activities outside of Law such as Model United Nations.  

How did your experience at the Department prepare for your career?

The department organised law fairs and students had the opportunity to speak to various legal professionals from different firms and organisations. The department also hosted talks with different legal professionals and this gave me an insight into the everyday working lives of lawyers and ultimately helped me decide on what career path to take.

Are there any members of the academic and administrative staff who you would like to commend for the support they gave you?

Robert Jago was my personal tutor and was incredibly supportive and always willing to help students not only during their time at university but also with the next steps in their careers. 

Because of him I significantly developed my writing skills, I still remember his comments on my coursework which helped me improve my ability to persuade the reader through words, which of course is incredibly important when representing clients as a solicitor. The ability to formulate persuasive and fluent arguments is really important in our everyday jobs.

Did you enjoy your years at RHUL?

I had a brilliant time at Royal Holloway, not only did I enjoy the course and develop my interest in the legal profession, but I also met some incredible people, people who inspire, motivate and encourage me and most importantly, I made friends for life.

Any tips for applicants or newly-enrolled students?

Always go a step further in your applications and link your experiences to the skills that you have developed - explain to the reader what you did that validates the skill that you claim to have. 

Law can be a challenging subject. If you are passionate about a career in law, don’t give up and keep motivated. Surround yourself with people who want to succeed and if you can, get a mentor, either through the university’s career services or through other mentoring organisations.