Title of job
Solicitor

Languages studied for A level
Welsh, German and French

Languages studied at university
Law and German

University
University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Best thing about the course
Opportunity to take a year out

Where did you spend your year out?
Berlin

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post? Ability to speak Welsh was a neccesity, other languages a bonus.

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
Solicitor in commercial department. Main duties include, taking client instructions, attending meetings, drafting and negotiating contract terms.

Do you use your languages frequently?If so, in which situations?
Use of Welsh if dealing with Welsh speaking clients. Use of German reviewing German contracts.

What other jobs have you done since leaving university?
None

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion?
I have been brought up speaking Welsh and Swiss German. Learning German at school and uni has helped me to be able to communicate correctly both orally and in writing to family members who do not speak English. I have therefore been able to take advantage of my language skills to work abroad during a gap year prior to University, developing my language skills further. I spent a year waitressing in both the German and the French speaking regions of Switzerland. Spending time abroad encouraged me to be more independent but also enabled me to experience submerging myself in another country's culture. By learning languages from a young age, I feel that I am able to pick up other languages much easier. Going abroad has also given me the opportunity to meet people and visit places off the beaten track that as a tourist, unable to speak the local language, I'd have been unable to do.

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
It's a skill that needs to be practised but the satisfaction of being able to sit in a cafe, read the local paper and lsiten to the local gossip is great!