A South Wales teenager who won an award for saving a man’s life, is one step closer to his dream of making a difference to society with a career in politics after bagging his spot at university.
Coleg y Cymoedd learner Callum Smith, who has ambitions to become a future UK Prime Minister, has secured a place to study Law and Politics at Manchester University thanks to his ABB grades in Law, Criminology and Politics A levels.
Earlier this year, the courageous 18-year-old from Porth was presented with a St David’s Award by former First Minister, Vaughan Gethin, for saving a young man who was about to take his own life.
The inspiring future politician was walking over a footbridge that crossed a busy bypass when he spotted a man in distress and, despite having no previous training dealing with such a situation, he stayed calm, talked to him, and built up a rapport before police arrived and took over.
Callum’s desire to help others blossomed during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, when he became fascinated by the inner workings of UK law and government during a tumultuous political period. Finding that law, politics, and criminology went hand in hand, and wanting to help people fight for just and fair trials, Callum set his sights on a career as a criminal defense barrister, with a longer-term goal of becoming a resident at 10 Downing Street.
Last year, Callum was accepted onto the Social Mobility Fund’s Aspiring Professionals Programme – a free scheme which supports eligible learners in year 12 into university and their first jobs by providing them with university application advice, online mentoring and help accessing work placements. Through the programme, last summer, Callum completed a two-week internship with leading international law firm, Freshfields, where he gained an insight into what life is like as a lawyer and working in London – an experience that only strengthened his ambitions to work in the sector.
Callum said: “Helping people in any way I can is something that’s really important to me and my experience last year coming face to face with someone who was considering taking their own life solidified that. At the time I was so scared and anxious, but looking back, I’m just so glad that I was there and able to do something to help.
“The experience has only strengthened my desire for a career where I can make a difference. I think criminal law is definitely the most interesting area of law. I’ve found it’s the area I’ve been most drawn to during my A levels because there are so many elements to it. I want to help people and make sure the justice system is upheld fairly for everyone.
“After my degree at Manchester, I hope to apply to take my Bar Exam at Oxford; it’s where all the politicians go, so if I want to be the next prime minister, it’s a must for me!”
Callum was drawn to Manchester University due to its renowned criminal law course and on campus law clinic, where learners can volunteer to work with real barristers. The course also offers a year abroad in cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Washington DC.
Callum said: “Learning the law and governance of other major cities and countries across the world is so interesting to me, especially for a future in politics. I think it’s so important to learn from and understand the intricacies of other global governments.”
Callum’s leadership skills are also evident in his hobbies. As a member of the Rhondda Explorers and also a young leader volunteer at First Trealaw Scouts, Callum has been developing his teamwork, cultural awareness and communication skills throughout his teenage years. Despite providing him with incredible travel opportunities including, most recently, to Norway and Denmark for a 10-day jamboree this summer, it’s the people that Callum loves the most about Scouts and Explorers.
“The people I’ve met during my time in Scouts and Explorers have become a family to me and I’ll miss them greatly when I go to university. The skills I have learnt during my time with both groups have been invaluable in my journey to get to Manchester and I know they’ll continue to help me succeed further in my career. I hope to pick join a local group in Manchester when I get there and maybe do the Duke of Edinburgh as well.
“My A levels have been hard, but I have enjoyed them so much. Having an escape like Scouts and Explorers has been a really great stress relief when things have felt hard, as has the incredible support I’ve had from Coleg y Cymoedd and all my tutors.
“I hope to make everyone who has supported me proud, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll be the first ever prime minister from the South Wales Valleys!”
