Meet our Outreach & Career Services Officer

We're a small, but dynamic, team at Gray's Inn and we want to showcase some of them! In this series, find out more about work and life at the Inn.

Next up we talk to our Outreach and Career Services Officer, Christina Christodoulou, on how she works with practising Gray's Inn Members to build the employability of prospective and student Members through in-school programmes and mentoring schemes.?

1.?????????What is the main purpose of your role?

You could say there are two branches to my role as Outreach and Career Services Officer.?

I support with all the Inn’s outreach activities, engaging with prospective Members from all over, and regularly host school and university students at the Inn.?

A large part of my outreach work is co-ordinating the GAP and Griffin programmes. These are delivered by our student and barrister Members and focus on demystifying the profession. A-level students from underrepresented backgrounds are given the opportunity to explore the role of a barrister through advocacy workshops and debating. Graduates of these programmes are then invited to apply to our newly established Undergraduate Scholarship, which provides funding and continued access to the Inn throughout university.

I also run our career development programmes. We have several established schemes designed to give our Members access to our fantastic network of support through mentoring, judicial marshalling, and preparation for pupillage applications and interviews.

2.?????What does a typical day look like for you?

There is so much variety in my role.?

In the morning I often read though applications for our mentor programme from our student, pupil, and practising Members. The objective is to facilitate contact with a Member who can best support their professional development. For example, one recent applicant asked to be mentored by another single parent, to find solidarity and to discover tools or services which would alleviate the pressures of practising whilst balancing care commitments.?

At the start of the year, I spent a lot of my time arranging mock-pupillage interviews for our Members who have had success with their applications. We want to prepare them in the best way we can, so often the interviewer will be from the area of practice the applicant has applied to.

In July, we conclude our GAP and Griffin programmes with multi-day summer schools at the Inn, and welcome students from LEDLET for a week.?

3.?????What is the most enjoyable part of your role?

The most enjoyable part of my role is seeing the positive impact that our programmes have on our Members. It is incredible to know that I have played a part in an individual’s development.

4.?????What do you like about working for the Inn?

Gray’s Inn has a great sense of community about it, from working closely with my colleagues to positive interaction with our Members.?

It is especially rewarding to see Members who were supported by our programmes come back as trainers and mentors.?

If you are interested in taking advantage of the career development services, we offer at Gray’s Inn, or indeed – if you want to support them as a trainer or mentor – Christina would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch with the Careers Team to find out more.?