Apprentice Paralegal Review

My day-to-day job role involves a mixed amount of different tasks. The majority of the time I am reviewing contracts and making amendments to them for other colleagues within the business. I answer queries over email that come in from people outside of the team with legal questions or concerns. Additionally I help my team with their work load by helping complete their smaller legal tasks.

I have certainly developed my communication skills as I have to communicate with my colleagues from my team and from outside colleagues on a day-to-day basis. I have also got much better with using software on the computer as I have had to make things like spreadsheets and pie charts for various matters.

I enjoy learning about the legal system and putting what I learn from my studies into my day-to-day work and retrospective. I enjoy that I get a chance to study and work together which has given me real life skills. Being part of a team has been really beneficial as I have gained valuable expertise from an array of different people.

The programme is fairly well structured although there has been quite a lot of last minute/ random changes throughout which we have had to deal with. When it comes to study we know what we have to do and when there are lectures we have a plan on what each week will be covering.

I receive a good amount of support from my employer. They are always there when I need help or guidance with my study or even just general life itself. I do not feel like I need any additional support from them and my overall experience with my employer has been good.

I believe there has been a good amount of support from my training provider and they have reached out at times to make sure all is well and ok. I do feel as if there could have been a lot more support/ materials relating to our exams/ assessments for example more revision sessions or tasks we can do ourselves as this is something that was definitely lacking.

My qualification has helped me perform better in my role as it has related back to my day-to-day activities within Pfizer. For example, when studying contract law I was reviewing contracts at work so this really helped me understand what I was doing and how the process worked. Additionally it has helped me understand the law a lot more so I have a real understanding of what I am doing/ working on or towards.

Occasionally there have been networking events that I have attended like team off-sites/ meetings which involve networking with other colleagues either within the team or with external colleagues. I think there could be more done to create social activities that aren't necessarily work related and just for fun. There is an on-site gym which you can join however I go to one outside of work so this would not work for me however there is the option.

Yes

I would recommend Pfizer because they have a real drive for putting their staff first and making sure they feel valued and supported in their day-to-day roles/ activities. I feel highly involved and part of my team which has really helped me progress in my work life and has in fact helped me grow as a person.

To just be you as this is something we really embrace within Pfizer. I would also advice to do your research and make sure that you know who the company are and what they do, this really helps prove your passion for the role you want and gives you a real insight to what the company believes and works for.