Jenny Wilson - Employment law to musical score.

“I loved it. The work was really interesting and I enjoyed experiencing a different environment and building relationships with new colleagues. I have come to realise that variety really is the spice of life for me and this eight month secondment fed my taste for this at an early stage of my career.”
Returning to work at Pinsent Masons, Jenny continued to develop as a lawyer. She utilised the new skills she had acquired in-house and after a few years was promoted to Senior Associate. Jenny enjoyed law firm life and learnt a lot during this time, but had a growing sense that something was missing. A relative had once sent her a card which had wording on the front that read “Life is like a box of crayons – try to use every colour” and that message resonated.

“I know it sounds cheesy, but I can really relate to the sentiment. Whilst I was devoting so much of my time and energy to being a private practice lawyer, I felt like I was just using the one colour.  I enjoyed working alongside my colleagues and was grateful for the training and support I had received from the firm but I wanted to express other sides of me and to have other life experiences.”

Jenny had moved from Leeds to London and was enjoying this new adventure; however, with some personal changes also taking place, Jenny had grown to realise that she was climbing a career ladder she didn’t want to reach the top of. And so, without another job lined up and no particular plan in place, Jenny decided to leave her private practice career and seek a new ladder to climb.

“I had never freelanced before, but this was just such an interesting opportunity. It came through another supplier in the industry and they really looked after me as I took my first steps into consulting. The BBC is an organisation that I had always wanted to experience working with as it is a truly iconic British brand. The work was fascinating and I found the environment inspiring. One minute you’d see The One Show being filmed, the next you’d walk past Sir David Attenborough! I can’t speak highly enough of my first freelancing experience and my time there.”

With Jenny’s appetite for freelancing now whetted, she embarked on a new assignment with Mitie through Vario. Jenny successfully completed a five day per week assignment and at the end of it, proposed to Mitie to reduce to three days for the second phase of the project. Mitie, happy with Jenny’s work and keen to retain her services, were happy to agree to this.

“I’ve always been interested in working reduced hours as a lawyer so that I can explore other interests. I had a stint at four days per week previously and the second phase of the Mitie project was well suited to three days per week so I leapt at the chance to do this. I can honestly say that this arrangement has transformed my life. I’ve taken up jazz singing and the creative part of me which had never been given the time to flourish can now be expressed. I attend open mic nights and jazz workshops, I’m heading off to a singing course in Slovenia; it just makes me feel so happy to have the time to do this. I was even approached following a jazz workshop to sing at a book launch – my first gig!”

In addition to jazz, Jenny has furthered her interest in understanding people by completing a Psychotherapy course at Regent’s University and undertaking further studies relating to psychology and coaching, including exploring the areas of relationships, body image, self-love and intimacy and how all of these factors impact upon our well-being.