Case studies: Legal executive: Kiri

Kiri did not initially set out to be a lawyer or look for a career in the legal profession.

I went into the sixth form after completing my GCSEs and studied English Literature, Media Studies and Psychology at A level and Business Studies at AS level. I did apply for university places, but even after the two years in the sixth form I still didn't really have a clear idea of what I wanted to do.

In the end I decided not to go to university. I was worried about the level of debt that university could bring and, as I didn't really have a burning desire to follow one particular career path, I didn't want to saddle myself with debt for a degree relating to something I might not choose to do.

A number of friends from school had gone to university to study law and about this time I read an article on ILEX. This literally changed my life. I thought a career in law looked interesting, and the ILEX qualification route offered a way to get the qualifications I needed for a career in law without going to university and without the debt that had worried me.

I asked around about courses and enrolled on an ILEX Legal Secretary course. At the same time I looked for a part-time job in a legal firm. I joined my present firm, Anthony Collins, initially as a receptionist. Within three months I'd moved on to become an office junior. At the same time I was able to study my ILEX course and I was subsequently promoted to be a legal secretary.

I moved to the charities department in the firm, where I still am. When I completed my ILEX legal secretary course, I was encouraged to continue ILEX studies, doing the ILEX Level 3 qualification. The way the ILEX courses are structured meant I was able to move from one to the other easily. This also meant I could become a fee-earner in the department. I have completed my ILEX 3 qualification and I'm now doing the second year of my ILEX Level 6 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice, studying part time through Wolverhampton University at evening classes. It is tough at times, fitting in work and study, but the courses are excellent. I particularly like the mix of theory and practice and when I couple this with work I'm doing in the charities department, I'm getting real experience that I couldn't get any other way.

Anthony Collins employs a number of ILEX members and there's a good network for us in the firm. There's an in-house ILEX Group, with regular meetings and email and feedback forums, so I have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from the more experienced ILEX members. I've been supported and encouraged at all stages since I joined and they have also helped with some of the course fees.

I hope to complete my ILEX Level 6 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice next year and I want to go on to qualify as a Fellow of the Institute. My long-term ambition is to carry on studying through ILEX and possibly go onto to become a Legal Executive Advocate. I can even go on to become a solicitor through ILEX, if that's what I want.

The ILEX course and the route to legal career, with its mix of work, study, the theoretical and the practical really suits me. The chance to study through ILEX has enabled me to take up a worthwhile career in law doing something I enjoy.