I would be in the middle, translating for each side
In 2020 I graduated from my law degree and that was at the beginning of the pandemic. At the time it was difficult to find a job, so I volunteered as a translator for a company called Breaking Barriers. I now do that in my spare time. I think it was a really good way to start off and continue being in a professional space. I was interpreting the Persian language into English and vice-versa at client meetings. Whenever there was a meeting that needed to move at a quicker pace and to avoid miscommunication, I would be in the middle, translating for each side.
Technology-law is the way to go
I have worked as an administrator and corporate receptionist for large companies for around seven years now, alongside my degree. After work, I would go to Toast Masters public speaking classes. I met a woman there who said ‘technology-law is the way to go – look into it, it will be interesting.’ I had always been interested in tech since my A levels, and once she had said that, I wanted to explore more. Then I came out of university and started my FinTech programme internship for six months. That was great because I got involved in all aspects of the business. Currently working at Apple’s head office is also very exciting! I get to work alongside really great people who have a real passion for technology and work hard to better the company every day.
You kind of always have to question this when you have a contract made – it could be with a gym, it could be with a shopkeeper; you have the receipt you get.
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The law is always changing
A law degree is quite open. It opens a lot of doors, and you don’t have to become a lawyer – that’s one of the things that attracted me to studying law. The law is always changing and it’s needed for every business. I’m sure for photography you have to be aware of some rules and regulations to protect yourself. For instance, when you have deals and partnerships going it’s needed. A lot of people might think it’s boring, but I think once you actually read into it and you can see that it does affect everyone, that’s when law becomes interesting.
To whom it may concern
Doing a law degree does teach you a lot about your own rights. For example, I broke my foot not long ago in a gym and had a hairline fracture from a tennis class I had taken. At the time, I had to question ‘Do they have a duty of care when it comes to this? What’s the law in this situation?’ You kind of always have to question this when you have a contract made – it could be with a gym, it could be with a shopkeeper; you have the receipt you get. You start to become your own lawyer. I sometimes think ‘I don’t need a lawyer; I can defend myself.’ and you start emailing ‘to whom it may concern.’ [She laughs.] You do learn a lot and I think it builds you as a person, and as a character. It changes how you interact with the world and what you do on a daily basis, and how you see the world and law and business.
Just to protect yourself
Another example is data protection. It’s needed for all businesses, and everyone should learn about it and be educated on it; especially with more fraud and scams appearing. It’s all about educating yourself. Even if you haven’t done a law degree, I think it’s really good to know basic laws that are in place already just to protect yourself and your business.
You are the director of your life.
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You can’t find what you don’t know
The best advice I’ve been given is ‘You are the director of your life.’ You are the painter of your life – you create your life. You choose what you do and your habits. I think sometimes we’re stuck with the thought of ‘what’s going to happen?’ and we worry about the future and the past. But then once you bring back the focus on you and what you can control, it opens doors and creates new opportunities and you can go after what you want. We’ve got Google – there is so much information out there. I’m only twenty-four and I think I still have a lot to learn in life. I don’t like the phrase ‘find yourself’. I like ‘creating yourself.’ It is about creating. You can’t find what you don’t know. You create what you want, and so if you ever catch yourself feeling lost or going through a difficult time in your life – just remember, that it is temporary. Restart, recharge and recreate as many times as you wish to become the person you aspire and deserve to be.
