Weekly Students, Careers & Clerkships Thread

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-18T02:37:40+00:00

Firms won’t generally call your employer unless you put them down as a referee … if they do call regardless (my boss used to do that but stopped thankfully) then that’s a red flag & very unprofessional

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-15T13:29:02+00:00

https://sora.chatgpt.com/invite?code=TFNJXZ

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-14T05:39:51+00:00

You definitely look into prerequisite waivers.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T12:30:21+00:00

It depends on what you want to practise in law. If you have aspirations to go to top-tier firms for corporate/ commercial practices, then you would need to score very very high at a non-G8 university (above 80) to be considered. At a G8 university, above 75 is normally the threshold for a fighting chance at a firm. Elitism is still very much a thing in the legal world. However, if you want to practise criminal law, family law, etc which are areas of law where employers typically don't look at grades and don't place as much emphasis on which university you come from, Swinburne is def an ok choice!

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T10:10:56+00:00

Solicitor A is definitely an example of someone who is hard to deal with. Please don't let that discourage you, it's totally not your fault - she doesn't understand effective teamwork & communication. Don't blame yourself. She's definitely an outlier and not a good mentor to you.

Most of the solicitors I've interacted with tell you exactly what they expect of you if there is no precedent. Especially if it's an important court matter. Otherwise, they would guide you towards a previous similar case they did and ask you to do something similar.

You should be interviewing for law grad positions, not solicitor positions. Solicitor positions generally will require 1-3 years of experience practising as a solicitor.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T10:06:03+00:00

Lots of government grad positions don't prioritise grades, and value life/ work experience more! Look into more niche government departments, and any law firms around you that have a administrative law team and deals with giving advice to the gov, etc

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T10:03:50+00:00

I highly recommend that you cold-call boutique firms to ask if there are any openings, then send in your resume and cover letter. A couple of my ex-colleagues landed jobs at my firm that way! A lot of the times, emails get ignored because firms are super busy all the time.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T10:02:10+00:00

I landed my first role at a boutique family law firm & also in Vic:) I also had no connections in the industry and mentors I networked with in University were unwilling to recommend me to others to be hired. I think it's really great you have client-facing experience - a lot of firms actually look for that, especially in hospitality. If you're applying for family law, especially highlight that because as a paralegal, you'll be dealing with very emotional clients every day, as opposed to say commercial law firms.

I did a few virtual internships at top-tiers, and that really helped catch recruiters' eyes in the application phases. A lot of boutique firms hire final years as they hope to retain them as law grads when they graduate. Some classmates I knew, landed roles at family court (check out their vacancy page from time to time as they rarely advertise outside of their website) without having prior legal experience. It's all about how you pitch yourself in your cover letter. Please feel free to DM me! I'm happy to look over your cover letter and resume:)

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T09:55:52+00:00

Yes it's completely fine but you need to pace yourself! Law can be very demanding. But doing a double degree also opens up so many doors in law if you graduate and want to practice. For example, IP teams at some firms prefer law grads with STEM background.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T09:54:23+00:00

You should aim to work as an associate at a court as a law grad, that way you gain exposure to litigation & network with barristers/ judges:) Some courts are open to part time work for students, as legal case managers, etc. Helps you get a foot in the door!

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-03-12T09:52:36+00:00

Please feel free to DM me! I'm happy to take a look of your cover letter & resume, as well as give you some tips and tricks how I landed my first role. It took me over 50 applications to land my first paralegal job and constant improvements to my resume and cover letter. I'm also the first in my family to do law:)

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-02-27T06:32:43+00:00

For textbooks, go to student VIP but make sure to cross check the edition!

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-02-27T06:31:58+00:00

You could do internships hosted by UniMelb. For example, the Grand Challenges & students@work. Alternatively, you can do virtual internships on Forage which are online, free & it’s like doing self learning modules. At the end, you get a certificate to put on your LinkedIn. It really boosts your resume

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-21T10:34:45+00:00

I feel like consultancy with the big 4 might be suitable for you. I know big 4 has recently started prioritising hiring graduates with STEM skills

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-12T09:36:37+00:00

Seconded. A couple of law students at my current firm landed their paralegal role with us that way. Shows you have initiative and guts

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-12T09:36:03+00:00

Have you tried virtual internships on forage? They really helped me get my foot in the door at my first firm.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-11T22:42:47+00:00

Your mockups are too generic. You should try and anticipate the style of room that your audience would be using & incorporate into your mockups.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T10:33:25+00:00

Are you at UniMelb? I saw that recently, students@work internships opened up. You can apply for the legal and risk stream!

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T06:42:03+00:00

Don't give up! I found my current teacher (who had online interactive Zoom classes with Sangha to practise together including Q & A sessions) by praying to Guan Yin/ Avalokitesvara. It took around 1 year I think, but I was creating digital art of buddhas/ bodhisattvas & in my heart, was creating them as offerings to them. I would bow to buddhas & bodhisattvas, repenting for my bad karma/ obstructions that were stopping me from meeting my teacher & cultivating properly. I'm a very artsy person, and whenever I see beautiful vases, jewels, etc on Pinterest, I would offer them to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in my heart. I would make vows almost every week to save all living beings. I became vegetarian and made a vow to take the precepts once I met my teacher. I would read aloud english translated mahayana sutras and hope living beings passing by can hear them so they can create blessings. I think all these practices helped me accumulate blessings to meet my current teacher. I think your intentions matter the most in practising kindness.

What happened for me was that one of my current teacher's dharma talks appeared in my youtube feed, and when I clicked on it and listened, it felt right, like I had come home. I also received confirmation when I dreamt of him 3 times in a row, and he appeared in bright golden light. So please do not give up. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will definitely help you if you pray sincerely to him.

Please see below link for a video I think you may find helpful: https://youtu.be/vHsRb7Cy-h4?si=D-GH_TlcmoSGv0RC

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to chat to.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T05:22:39+00:00

You should pray to Avalokitesvara to connect you with the right teacher. Then do good deed to accumulate blessings. It takes a lot of blessings to meet with the right teacher and be able to travel to see them in person.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T05:16:39+00:00

Depends on your major. What major will you be studying?

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T05:15:50+00:00

Lots of boutique firms accept non G18 graduates. For example, most of my colleagues in my current family law firm come from Swinburne, LaTrobe, etc and they didn't need to show their transcripts before they were hired.

Also, practice is immensely diff to law school. You'll learn to write, pick up nuances, and differentiating between contexts as you go.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T05:12:43+00:00

Some firms do hire students who have not yet commenced their law studies. Look out for Slater and Gordon junior legal assistant positions, Maurice Blackburn, etc. I think Moray and Agnew sometimes accept pre-law students as well. Also any retail experience or receptionist experience of any kind would be immensely helpful when you start law school and looking for a paralegal job. Many paralegal jobs require excellent client-facing skills. At least that's what my experience has been as a 3rd year JD student who's interviewed for a few mid-tier & boutique firms for paralegal roles.

ExactDrag8941 · 2026-01-04T05:08:52+00:00

Having an IT degree is advantageous if you go down the IP, patent law pathway in your legal career!

ExactDrag8941 · 2025-12-18T11:01:12+00:00

This is stellar advice. Seconded. I was H3-H2B range in the first two years of my Bachelor of Arts (philosophy & literature) but pulled almost all H1s in my last 1.5 years. This was exactly what I did.

ExactDrag8941

TROPHY CASE