Where Are They Now?
June Mesrie Class of '79

EVER since I was 10 and mesmerised by Crown Court (a daytime TV programme) I decided to become a lawyer without really understanding what that entailed.  I went to Birmingham University to read Law and then went on to Chester Law College to do the Law Society Finals, having secured my traineeship with a City law firm.  It was very much like being on a conveyor belt without having to question anything - simply going from stage to stage. 

A few weeks into my training contract I found it wasn’t for me, which was frightening.  I qualified but at age 27 I reached a crossroads and had to decide what I wanted to do next.  I thought about recruitment but I was not taken with the image so I had dismissed it.  However, I realised that through my career to date I knew a lot of people and so I decided to give it a try.

I have never looked back.  I was working with like-minded people and had the freedom to run my own business from my desk.  Based in the City of London, I recruited from the outset into solicitors’ firms and financial institutions.  I discovered that advising people on their careers was absolutely fascinating, as well as helping partners and company solicitors build their teams with the right people. 

Along the way I met my husband who contacted me needing a job but also found out that he needed a wife (!) and we now have two children.

I have been a director in my field for over 10 years and I am currently heading up a team within a major international recruitment company.

I believe my early career experiences taught me that we don’t always get it right first time but it is worth persevering to find something you really do want to do.