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When I started my training contract at Michelmores, it was easy to think about progress in fixed terms. The cycle of completing seats, moving on to the next team and ultimately qualifying can feel like the key milestones to focus on. These markers give structure to the experience and provide something clear to work towards. However, progress can also be more gradual and less defined.
Small shifts in day-to-day confidence
Some of the most noticeable changes aren’t tied to moments you can pinpoint. Feeling more comfortable picking up the phone to clarify a point, anticipating what a supervisor might ask or approaching a task with a clearer sense of direction are small markers. While these shifts can feel minor on their own, they make up a bigger picture of change and growth in how you work.
Seeing the bigger picture
It’s natural to focus on completing the task in front of you. Developing a broader perspective is a key shift in mindset that develops as you progress in your training contract. You begin to see how your work fits into a larger transaction or matter, why certain details carry more weight and how different teams contribute to the same outcome. This change in perspective is a subtle but key part of developing in the role.
A different approach to challenges
Feeling out of your depth is a common experience early in any career. In the legal profession, rotating to a new team every six months can make it seem as though you’re starting from scratch each time. Over time, that sense of unfamiliarity becomes easier to manage. You begin to recognise where to start, when to seek guidance and which questions to ask. Gradually, uncertainty shifts from something unsettling into a natural and expected part of the learning process.
Recognising quieter signs of progress
While formal feedback is valuable, some of the clearest indicators of progress are less obvious. Being trusted with a more complex task, being asked for your view or being given greater latitude are all key parts of developing. These moments can be easy to overlook, but they often signal meaningful development.
Looking beyond milestones
Progress during a training contract isn’t only about reaching the next stage and ultimately qualification. It is also about building confidence in your ability, developing your judgement and becoming comfortable pushing into the next stage of your development. These changes can be harder to measure but ultimately shape the transition from trainee to qualified solicitor.