“I have found Ayda to be one of the most focused, hard-working, and dedicated young people I have ever met. I know she will go far in her career” – Ahmed, Ayda’s Career Specialist at Drive Forward Foundation.

My name is Adya, I’m 24 and have just finished a three-year LLB Law degree. I love sleeping, eating, binging on Netflix, and reading good books. Right now, I am reading a book about Indira Gandhi. She was a fascinating woman and one of my female role models. It’s nice to read it because she was also a lawyer, and I am learning a few lessons from her. Without a mum and a dad, I find it useful to get advice from other places.     

I am originally from Iran. I moved to the UK when I was 12, where some family members adopted me, but later, I moved into care. When I came to the UK, I could not speak any English. Obviously, in Iran, they teach you English words like ‘water’, ‘book’, and ‘father’ but not conversation. When I came to school in England, I couldn’t get administrated because of my English and because the school had already started. So, I had to self-teach myself English at age 12. My adopted family wasn’t that nice to me, and so I would use my time to write about spring and autumn in English. I was writing essays and translating children’s books. It was a complex process, but I learnt how to speak and write in English in six months. At the time, I didn’t feel impressed with myself because I didn’t have a support system that told me I was doing well.   

Now that I think about it, I have completed a law degree in English! I’m so proud of myself.    

I was told I should look into law because I talk so much, which is how my career started.    

Before I went to university, I did an apprenticeship in Immigration Law, which I enjoyed. I liked that I was helping people and making change. It felt nice to do something rewarding for other people. It just sparked this feeling that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.   

I was introduced to Drive Forward Foundation during my second year of university through someone at my university who knew I was a care leaver. They asked if I’d be interested in extra support, and I told them of course I would.   

That’s how I met Rachel, my initial Careers Specialists at Drive Forward. She was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She would find me various opportunities such as, in Burgess Mee Family Law Firm or a law internship at Superdrug’s head office.

Even the positions I knew I didn’t want to pursue helped immensely. One time, through Rachel, I had the opportunity to shadow a judge in the Crown Court. An amazing Judge! After Rachel left Drive Forward, Ahmed became my new Careers Specialist. Ahmed was equally supportive, helping me with my CV, cover letter and future plans! He consistently checks up on me and helps me find new opportunities. I am so grateful to them both for all the work experiences and support that they gave and continue to give me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. 

Right now, I can proudly say I am an Admin Officer at the Royal Courts of Justice. In September, I will start my Barrister Training Course, BPP Masters, which will bring me one step closer to my dreams! I am interested in human rights and criminal law.    

I would not have had the experiences I did without Drive Forward. I know I must give myself credit, too, but law is so competitive, and without work experience and connections, it’s 10 times harder to get your foot in the door. If I was talking to my former self, I would say, ‘Don’t give up’. I wish I knew that instead of trying to go for the big fish, go for the small fish and work your way up there. Because it’s tough having to go for the big fish, like me, I couldn’t get any paralegal jobs initially. So, I decided to do an administrative law job, which will be a stepping stone to my next position. To other care-experienced young people, I strongly suggest connecting with organisations such as Drive Forward Foundation.