Students learning their craft in the Moot Court at Edith Cowan University's School of Business & Law
A university course is a great starting point for a successful career, but after you graduate it can be a challenge finding employment. Unless your course included valuable work experience and industry contacts that is.
It makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
Years of assignments, lectures, exams and so much reading.
Learning the theory is obviously important.
But putting theory into practice often doesn't happen until you find yourself in the workforce.
The smart way to get a degree is to learn both the theory and its practical application as part of your study.
One university calls this 'Work-Integrated Learning'.
Opportunities for Business and Law students
Edith Cowan University has a strong focus on preparing students for what happens after they graduate.
It's about offering them as much hands-on experience as possible while they're studying.
The university's School of Business and Law is no exception.
Through their Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) program, the school has built great partnerships with employers across a range of industries.
These relationships have led to opportunities for students to do work placements or internships before competing their degrees.
Students can build contacts in the industry they hope to work in.
And some have even had job offers before they've finished their courses!
Meet Denise Roff, Law student
Denise Roff is a 4th year law student who recently completed an internship with K&L Gates, a Perth-based law firm.
Denise has been retained by K&L as a casual paralegal, focusing on consultation with indigenous clients until she graduates with her Law degree.
This was all possible thanks to a partnership established between the School of Business & Law and K&L Gates that offers Indigenous Internships to students through the school's Work- Integrated Learning Program.
Denise, who is a Ningana woman from the Kimberley region, says she has a huge passion for Native Title and would love to be part of solutions in this challenging area of the law.
You can hear more about Denise's experience in this 2-minute video.
An internship at K&L Gates has led to employment as a casual paralegal for ECU Law student Denise Roff.
It's not what you learn, it's how you learn it
If you're considering university courses any time soon, especially a degree in business or law, think about this.
The 'how you learn' should include the kind of practical experience in a real workplace that’s provided in the WIL program.
For students like Denise, WIL has opened a door to a successful future career with a leading law firm.
Find out more about studying business or law at ECU.
