We were among 40 local businesses who aimed to give an insight to the world of work to school students to help them decide their future careers.

Hosting the Phillips Solicitors incorporating Brain Chase Coles stand were trainee solicitor Nour Belal and marketing manager Richard Garfield.

Over 400 Year 7 to 11 students attended the event which was organised by education charity Basingstoke Consortium.

Get Inspired Basingstoke, which coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, was held at The Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke, where a wide range of businesses had stands, including Wote Street People, Fortem Financial Management, Sandra Sergeant Photography and Gillette.

Nour, who is a trainee solicitor at Phillips and currently works in the Wills and Probate team, proved to be a hit with the students and offered some sound advice to those thinking about a career in the legal profession.

She said: “Looking to start a career in law can be an overwhelming thought. Luckily for students these days, there are lots of routes into law. Each route has its pros and cons.”

“You can chose to go to higher education or pursue the solicitor apprenticeship from the age of 18, which allows you to work and train on the job.”

“Undertaking a law degree at university allows you to understand the academic legal questions you will encounter but does not teach you much about the practice of the law.”

“If you decide to do a law degree you will go on to do the legal practice course and do a two-year training contract where you work in a law firm.”

“The combination of these two further training courses allows you to gain practical insight into the law.”

To find out information about legal apprenticeships visit:

www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-careers/legal-apprenticeships