Triumphing in the face of adversity

Corinne’s time at the University of Leicester has, in great part, been shaped by her resilience. Beginning her degree in 2013, she faced a number of personal setbacks, but after five years of hard work and dedication, she graduates this week with her LLB.

“Academically, I have achieved exactly what I set out to do in the end, despite it taking a little longer than most,” Corinne said. “My degree journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I started in 2013 and overcame a series of personal obstacles throughout my time as a student. I re-sat exams, dealt with bereavement and sought support from Student Welfare.”

Despite difficulties in her personal life, Corinne continued to make the most of the opportunities that were available to her - undertaking an internship with Leicestershire Police as a data entry assistant to help compile a report to tackle domestic violence in Leicestershire, and working with law firm Bevan Brittan as a paralegal through the Leonard Cheshire initiative Change100.

Corinne has also played a key role in the University’s BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) community, as Secretary to the BAME Committee from 2015-2016 and Co-Founder of the Black Cultural and Arts Society from 2017-2018.

She said: “I was inspired by the events hosted by Students’ Union for Black History month and networked with students to create a space to discuss literature, media and art crucial to the black community.

“As a result I was approached to perform poetry at a Black Creatives Showcase this year. I really enjoyed and benefited from this experience and it helped me cope with my personal circumstances.”

In June, Corinne received a 2018 Student Award for Inspirational Achievement. “I have several highlights from my time at Leicester,” Corinne said, “from volunteering on the Pro Bono Committee, to making new friends through Law Netball, but that was the most significant moment.”

Her studies have paid off in dividends, as in September, Corinne will begin working for Peninsula UK as a Graduate Employment Law Consultant.

She added: “It feels fantastic to be graduating; I feel rewarded for my hard work and perseverance.

“My journey at the University of Leicester has taught me so much about myself and provided me with skills and experiences that I know will be essential to my development in the working world and beyond. Thank you for the most incredible five years of my life; I will always look back at my time here with fondness and pride.”

Dr Gemma Turton, Associate Professor of Tort Law at Leicester Law School, said: “As Corinne’s personal tutor I was struck by her resilience and determination to succeed. Her Inspirational Achievement award was especially well deserved and I am very happy that she will be going on to pursue her passion for employment law.”

Paul McConnell, Lecturer at Leicester Law School, added: “I taught Corinne in Employment Law and also supervised her dissertation on this area. I was so impressed by Corinne’s focus and determination to keep persevering despite the challenges that she has faced during her time at Leicester. She is a credit to the University. I’m really pleased that she’ll be going on to specialise in Employment Law in her future career, and I wish her every success.”