Want to know what we've got planned in Year 1?
You can download the full strategy document from the right hand side of this page. To give you an idea of what we are trying to achieve, this page outlines some of the projects we have been working on in the first year of this project.
In year 1 of our strategy, between October 2007 and September 2008, we will be focusing on some key projects, which we have listed below for your interest.
Careers podcasts - the Society will record careers podcasts, which we hope will answer the typical queries new lawyers have at critical stages of the qualification process. Why not download them on to your mp3 player and listen to them when you have a spare moment?
First year LLB students' diary - the Society and the Scottish Young Lawyers Association (SYLA) (sponsored by the Scotsman) distributed a student diary incorporating useful information to every first year LLB student in Scotland in academic session 2007/2008. Feedback was positive and this initiative will be repeated in academic session 2008/2009.
TARGETjobs Law Scotland 1st Edition - the Society was delighted to have collaborated with TARGETjobs Law Scotland and endorsed the first edition of this publication. The publication pulls together useful information on summer placements and traineeships, and complements the work of the Society. It includes a list of traineeships commencing in 2009 (around one third of training organisations which take trainees responded to the Society's invitation to list their 2009 traineeships, a response rate which we hope to improve on next year, so that those seeking traineeships have a central resource at their disposal). Pick up your free copy by speaking to your careers service (the front cover can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page).
Do you have ideas for the second edition of TARGETjobs Law Scotland? Contact the Society and we can pass your ideas on, or put you in contact with the publication if you would like to contribute copy to the second edition. Work on the 2nd Edition of Target Jobs Law Scotland 2nd Edition is currently underway.
Trainee blogs - the Society wants new lawyers to get a real insight into life in the office and will be coordinating a series of blogs written by trainee solicitors who are experiencing different types of traineeships. Hosted on the Scotsman's website, you can read John Geddes' blog by clicking here.
Traineeship pack - starting a traineeship over the next few months? Every new trainee receives a "traineeship pack" from the Society at the start of the traineeship, and we're working on making the pack an even better source of information for you as you embark on your two year training contract.
SYLA website - this year we are going to be working on constructing a new SYLA website, which will help SYLA to perform additional functions on behalf of their members.
CPD for qualified new lawyers - just qualified into the profession and not sure what type of CPD you should be attending? The Update department and SYLA are going to provide you with CPD tailored to your particular needs as qualified new lawyers. Click here for more information.
The SYLA Annual Conference, supported by Update - In 2008, for the first time the SYLA Annual Conference is being supported by the Society and event-managed by Update. Click here for more information about this year's Conference at Airth Castle on 16th and 17th May.
E-newsletter - Are you a budding journalist? We're currently looking for volunteers to discuss and provide content for our new e-newsletter, the first edition of which will be launched in academic session 2007/2008. Don't hold back if you're interested, we really want to hear from you and who knows, you might just boost your CV.
These are examples of key projects we will be running in Year 1 of the strategy. We will also be running different types of careers events, focus groups, seminars and events, some in collaboration with SYLA and some individually. Further information about new projects will be posted on these pages as they develop. The Society cannot successfully implement the engagement strategy without the assistance of willing members of the profession. This page will be regularly updated with information on upcoming projects. If any of the Society's projects are of interest to you, and you are able to get involved, contact Collette Paterson at newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk.
Developing this website is also a key objective of the engagement strategy, so you can expect lots of changes to the content and format of this section of the website over the coming months. Why not add this site to your "favourites" and visit us regularly to see what's new?
