Loading ...Welcome to 2009 in the University of Adelaide Law School. You have joined a school that boasts outstanding academic achievement, a rich history and vibrant student life. And just when you think it cannot possibly get any better – all students enrolled in law are automatic members of the Law Students’ Society (LSS). You will come to know many of our names through fortnightly emails about job opportunites, pub crawls and careers seminars, and I hope you get to know our faces as well.
I thoroughly enjoy my time at Law School, and I try to get as much out of my five years here as possible. In my first few years this was undoubtedly made easier by having friends in higher year levels who gave me their notes, told me their stories, and who encouraged and supported me when I may not otherwise have felt confident getting involved. Unfortunately a lot of students do not have these personal networks when they start at Law School, and they should not have to miss out on this level of support. As President of the LSS, I want you to find a career path which suits you; to have access to demonstration videos for competitions; to enjoy reading the quarterly student magazine The Hilarian; and to be supported by a committee who you can look to as your personal network.
Not only should this enable you to get the most out of your time at university, but it is also guaranteed to make you more competitive as a law graduate, however far away that may be. Each year thousands of law students graduate Australia-wide, making it increasingly important for students to stand out from the masses. It is now commonplace for recruiters to place more emphasis on a resumé which demonstrates participation in competitions, volunteer work and vacation clerkships with law firms as opposed to one which shows High Distinctions but not much else.
It is with this awareness that the LSS Committee has set its goals for 2009. For the first time, all students will be provided with an Alternative Careers Guide to supplement the previously narrow focus of the Careers Portfolio on private, commercial law practices. A careers cocktail evening will be introduced where recent graduates will be invited to attend and tell their ‘real’ employment experiences. An up-to-date website will be launched which will give you access to an increased amount of past exam answers and student notes, and a Competitions Guide should make signing up for Competitions less daunting by giving you a better idea of what is involved. All of these new services will be offered in addition to the already extensive social justice, careers and educaion services and events such as Law Ball, Law Dinner, the Careers Fair and the bi-annual pub crawls.
On behalf of the 2009 LSS Committee, I welcome old and new students to the Law School, and encourage you to feel comfortable getting involved in the many and varied services and events the LSS has in store for you. Please feel free to speak to any one of us, email us or browse our website for more information.
Micaela McLean
Law Students’ Society President, 2009
president at aulss.org.au