My grandmother once told me a rags-to-riches story about the son of one of her friends, who worked his way from unemployment into a lofty position at a major car manufacturer.After the Second World War, with British peacetime industry creaking back into life, the man found himself jobless and with few prospects. He had fought from 1940 until the end of the war, although without rising to any position of seniority; but in any case, he did not want to stay in the Army. He had quit school early, had never been to university, and had few qualifications to speak of.

Weeks after his return from France, he walked into his local car plant and asked if he could work for free. Unsurprisingly, the foreman said yes, so he set about doing odd jobs on the factory floor – for six months. After that, he was paid minimum wage for another year doing the same work, but still he stayed late when they were men short or when the cars were due to be rolled onto ships for export.

The owners of the plant must have cottoned on to the fact that this guy was not of the usual nine-to-five breed. After 18 months of work at the plant, he was bumped straight into management – with suit, tie, and no doubt bowler hat to match. From then on, he rose steadily upwards, until he retired into the countryside on a considerable salary.

Grandma had an audience of two when recounting this story at the end of last summer: me, and my unemployed brother. It must have had an impact on him, because he’s since lined up some work experience in schools before he starts a teaching course later this year.

This week, news reaches the Gazette that junior lawyers being told to work for free ‘or else.’ Clearly there are differences between my grandmother’s story – which is more about individual self-motivation – and law firms getting students to do what can at best be described as extended internships. But I think there is a lesson in her story.

Regardless of economic uncertainty and dried-up job markets, companies – including law firms – will always favour the most committed worker out of two otherwise equal candidates. Someone who shows a gritty, grafting and dogged character and will work for nothing will outdo most others – especially those with the mindset that a completed law degree or training contract guarantees an easy ticket to partnership. It is undeniably frustrating to hit potholes on what was once a smoothly paved career path, but sometimes there is little option but to take what work you can.

Unfortunately, the good intentions of those who offer themselves for free work can be abused. Well-meaning firms that are in genuine economic difficulty can be excused for offering what work they can, but those seeking to profit from the goodwill of others should be exposed. Hopefully, the latter are in the minority, and a resolute work ethic, like that of grandma’s car man, will eventually be rewarded.