LLB (Hons) Law graduate, Ellie Doyle, has secured a role as a caseworker after training on the refugee family reunion route. Ellie studied the LLB Law course then took a graduate internship role before heading down this path.

“I chose to study law because I felt that written English was one of my strengths and law would allow me to use these skills. I also thought it would lead to a job that I would find interesting. I chose Sheffield Hallam because their applied learning through the Legal Service Clinic and Hubs specifically struck me. Having opportunities to have real life experience was something I had not seen offered at other universities.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the content of the course and the way it was delivered, and I knew straight away that I had picked the right one. The lectures and workshops were incredibly engaging. I enjoyed the theoretical side and learning case law, but I also really benefited from the practical aspect of the course. The skills you learn are so important to have early on, and really prepare you for future roles.

“There were many opportunities to apply your learning, and it is clear retrospectively how these enhanced my experience. I had a placement in third year under the elective module law and practice. This experience was hugely insightful and valuable.

“Also, studying in Sheffield means there’s plenty to do. The city has a diverse range of places to eat, shops including Meadowhall, and the Peak District is on your doorstep. The people are so friendly, and I felt very safe living there.”

In Ellie’s third year she studied asylum law as a practice-based module. Sheffield Hallam have their own legal centre for refugees, the Refugee Rights Hub, where clients can pursue family reunion applications. The Hub announced that it would be taking on two interns.

“I knew it was a brilliant opportunity for two reasons: firstly, it would give me the chance to work in a practice area I felt very passionate about, and also because it would be classed as ‘Qualifying Work Experience’ needed for one of the routes to become a solicitor. As a student, I could see how worthwhile the work at the Hub was, and I knew the skills I could develop under the role would be incredibly valuable.

“I would always recommend a graduate internship because it’s the perfect opportunity to apply the skills you have learned throughout study. You can be trained and have the chance to develop professionally, and it’s a useful stepping stone in your career. I’ve since moved to another role where I oversee work on family reunion applications, and I would not have been able to obtain this role if it had not been for the internship.”

Ellie now works as a caseworker, where she was trained on the refugee family reunion route and how to prepare applications.

“When asylum-seekers are granted refugee status in the UK, they can apply for family reunion – that is, to apply for their family members overseas to join them in the UK. I would work on cases from triage to submission and was responsible for my own caseload, preparing witness statements, writing detailed representations to the Home Office, working with interpreters to liaise with clients about their case and assist with the collection of evidence. We were lucky enough to be given the chance to study for and gain the qualifications needed to be able to work on such cases unsupervised, and sit further exams to build on these qualifications.”

As Ellie moves forward in her career, she intends to sit her solicitors qualifying exams.

“After I qualify, I want to stay in the field of immigration. I feel lucky to have found an area I find so rewarding.”