ENGLISH
KSENIJA BRAJOVIĆ FROM PODGORICA AT THE BEGINNING OF HER ATTORNEY CAREER IN LONDON: To the job one dreams of at age 22
Every day we hear numerous protests and objections from young people to certain events, but there are few of them who are taking charge in solving problems. In that sense, Ksenija Brajović from Podgorica can be a role model to many of them.
Where it all began…
During high school, this twenty-two-year-old woman realized that she was not making enough progress through the Montenegrin educational system. Although she was already achieving excellent results, was the best student in the elementary school, her desire was, as she recalls in the interview for Montenegro magazine, to go abroad where she believed she would progress faster. So she decided to leave Gymnasium ,,Slobodan Škerović” in Podgorica when she was 16 and continue her education in a British school in Thailand. After that, she studied Law at King’s College a prestigious university in London and has recently started working in one of the most prominent British law firms: Linklaters.
We talked over coffee with Ksenija in her hometown Podgorica, the day before her return to London.
– I travel tomorrow, but we have time to talk – she said, with a smile.
She found it easy to remember all the details she learned about the British agency HMC, which gives scholarships to extraordinary students, from her Professor Ana Jakić.
– That scholarship was a chance for me and I knew that it was what I wanted to do. I wanted to go somewhere where critical thinking and autonomy of thought are encouraged, where not everything comes down to reproducing what we are taught – she said.
Ksenija successfully passed her English exams and of the demanding interviews. After those stages, only four of them were chosen to continue their education abroad. She says that the agency offered her a reduced scholarship for British schools.
– Then you get in contact with various schools that are interested in you and you make an agreement. I was so happy when I found out that a British school in Bangkok was interested in me – said Ksenija.
The surprise
It was not easy for her when she was leaving Montenegro, but, she recalls, it was even more difficult when she began walking on Thai soil.
– When I arrived at the airport my hands were sticky due to the amount of humidity. It was 40 degrees, I was alone in a distant and unfamiliar country but it was the beginning of a great and exciting challenge – says Ksenija.
However, she quickly became accustomed. She was impressed by the school and the quality of the teaching. She says she was able to study subjects such as Business, Economics and English literature, which were of more interest to her than some of the compulsory subjects she had at her school in Podgorica.
– English literature is very interesting. We had to read a poem or an article before class and then during the whole class we discussed it. That kind of education makes you broaden your horizons, think critically and not take things for granted. I really enjoyed it – says Ksenija.
She was successful, too, as she attained all maximum grades (A*) during those two years. After schooling in Thailand, she adds, she felt more mature.
– I advanced a lot in those two years. I felt I was ready, independent, and that I could cope with things by myself… – she says, spreading her arms.
The theft
Ksenija gave us a closer description into the Thai culture and said that the people are ,,very cheerful”. She liked how they were relaxed, smiley, helpful and guided by a philosophy of ,,what will be will be”. She remembers, however, one unpleasant incident. It was a rare incident and doesn’t happen often, but a motorcyclist stole her bag.
– The bag was quickly returned to me, but I had to tell the police what happened. Retributions for common theft there are large – you can get ten years in prison. I was sitting in the police station alone and it was the only time I felt unsafe – says Ksenija.
When she graduated from high school she applied to study law in London, at King’s College. She chose that profession because, she says, it suits her character, but also her skills.
– Then began this new chapter of my life – she said.
She finished the university within three years and received the highest mark (first class), which meant she was in the top 10% of her class. She graduated last year, and says that English law is very difficult. As a student, if you do not pass a certain subject after 2 attempts, you have to re-sit the entire year.
– They do not have a written constitution in England so the application of the law is not that easy. You are looking at a court’s decisions and the practice is mostly based on that. So you are reading those decisions that, let’s say, have 200 pages and you analyse it. That, too, was a challenge – she says.
– I was happy to see that the university were quick to make us think about our career from very early on in my first year.
She said that certain student society’s were bringing representatives of individual law firms each week and they would hold a presentation during which they would talk about what do they look for in a job candidate. In the second year she already applied to perform summer jobs in those firms.
– On the last day of the internship someone from the company interviews students and already then they are offering them jobs two years in advance. When you graduate from the university, you start working with them. It is a big step for one to get to that summer internship, because it means you are a serious candidate. It is great that before you finish the university you have a secure future – she says.
The success
When she completed her third year at university Ksenija finished six months of intensive specialist legal studies. Out of the three well-known law firms that have offered her a job she chose the one in which she will begin working full-time, this month. It is a renowned company Linklaters, she will work in for the next two years, after which she will become a trained solicitor.
– I was interested in Corporate Finance Law and here I am. I like that there is a great culture in sharing knowledge there. When I start working as someone who has just graduated from university, I will be sharing the office with a person who has been at the firm for 20 years and who has vast knowledge. This person will be my mentor – she says.
The company she will be working in, she says, has a strong tradition, a good infrastructure and clientele including the largest investment banks, energy-efficient firms etc…
– I am thrilled. England is my second home now- says Ksenija.
Asked whether she would recommend trying their lucky abroad to young people, our interviewee says she had recently read about the fact that 50 percent of them would prefer to go somewhere. Leaving, according to her, requires strong will as well as support from your family. She had that.
– Outside of Montenegro there are greater chances for career and success if you are willing to work and strive. It is not easy. In Montenegro, life can be great, too, and one can make a nice career. It depends on what do you want from life – she believes.
Due to the rich experience our young interviewee has gained we were able to talk about various subjects in our conversation it became hard to end the interview. However, packing of bags awaited Ksenija at home so that she could return to London. Until our next meeting, when, we hope, she will tell us about how is it working and improving knowledge in one of the most successful law firms in Britain.
N.Đ.
