WINDOW IN: THE DLSS EXECUTIVE

WindowIn:TheDLSS Executive

The DLSS provides an amazing opportunity to get involved with networking opportunities, social events and generally is an incredible enhancement to your uni experience. One of the great things about the DLSS is the structure; you can join as an officer in a portfolio that interest you, with no background knowledge at all, and progress onto the executive to take on a bigger role after that!

The Communications Portfolio spoke with executive members of the DLSS about what it has been like working with the Law Society.

What has your journey been with the DLSS? Why do you think it’s an organisation people should get involved in?

I was first exposed to the DLSS as a First Year attending Law Camp where I was instantly drawn to the energy and cohesiveness of the Committee. From there, I began attending as many DLSS events as possible with my friends, providing me the opportunity to network with older students and create relationships. In my second year, I applied for the role of Competitions Officer and developed some amazing life skills. I was given autonomy to MC my own events, and the responsibility of managing heats for various competitions. In my third year, I applied for the role of Activities Director as I believed it was more suited to my personality and would allow me to grow my ideas to enhance the social aspect of DLSS. Despite COVID-19, we ran many successful events and this position gave me the opportunity to step into an Executive Role and its responsibilities. As such, in my fourth year, I applied for the position of Vice President where I have spent this year curating into my own vision. Working on the DLSS as an Executive is an amazing opportunity to showcase and grow leadership skills. It provides a high element of autonomy as you are able to shape the portfolio to whatever you like. From selecting officers to pitching ideas for events and initiatives, there are countless opportunities to see your vision for the year come to life. Being on the Executive can be a challenging role as you are often placed in situations you have not been exposed to as of yet. For example, managing a team of officers, delegating tasks and acting as a role model or source of authority to not only your officers, but law students in general is a lot of responsibility. It is an extremely rewarding experience as you are able to voice your opinion in Executive Meetings, and expose yourself to unique opportunities that can better yourself as not only a person, but a future lawyer also.

Working on the DLSS as an Officer is also beneficial and rewarding for many reasons. Whilst you are working underneath your Director, you will be assigned countless responsibilities and high level tasks. It is a great role for younger students, or students with less availability. You are able to interact with all the other portfolios and be a part of something more in your Degree.

-Surina Sood, 2022 Vice President

What made you want to join the DLSS? What have been the most positive parts of your experience?

After struggling to make friends due to the impact of COVID-19, I joined the DLSS with the intention to make some new friends and be able to represent Deakin Law Students. While I was really nervous to apply, joining has honestly been the best decision I have ever made. I have been able to connect with students in older year levels who have given me invaluable advice and be able to form meaningful connections with them. Additionally have had the opportunity to run events like the Annual Deakin Law Ball, which I would have never been able to do if it wasn’t for the DLSS. This experience has completely shaped my law school experience and has personally made it a really enjoyable experience as I am able to use the relationships formed on DLSS as a support network and connect with such like-minded individuals.

I believe the most valuable part of the DLSS is not only being able to connect with like-minded law students but also being able to display a degree of professionalism. Throughout my experience on the DLSS, I have been able to understand what it is like to be in a professional environment. This environment is mocked through meeting minutes, agendas and other matters like the DLSS constitution. Additionally, I have personally learnt so much through the DLSS. Before joining I never knew what a clerkship was and if I wasn’t on the DLSS, I probably would have never learnt about such a paramount experience. DLSS really is a family that is such a valuable experience that I would recommend to every law student. It has completely motivated me to continue my law studies and given me a support network to connect with others

- Kathryn Bourozikas, 2022 Director of Activities What has been the most rewarding moment of being on the DLSS? How do you think your portfolio you oversee contributes to betterment of student experience at Deakin?

The most rewarding moment this year has been watching my officers organise and host the various events of the SJE portfolio. As a director, watching your officers host events brings a sense of pride as you witnessed first-hand the planning and dedication that went into the event. Another rewarding moment for the SJE portfolio was running the Maddocks x DLSS Drive for Dignity. Collecting over 1,500 items for Food for Families and seeing their gratitude when we delivered the items outweighed all the hardworking and planning that went into running the event.

The Social Justice and Equity portfolio is unique in the sense that it reports on contemporary and topical issues occurring in the legal space. In a commercial law dominated space, it provides opportunities for students to learn about the interactions of social justice and the law, and various social justice career pathways they can pursue.

-Brigitte Fraser, 2022 Director of Social Justice and Equity

What is your role on the DLSS and what have been the biggest challenges for you? Why would you recommend joining the DLSS?

My role on the DLSS is Director of Competitions. I'm responsible for organising all the competitions on behalf of the DLSS that simulate aspects of legal practice for students to hone their many skills,

I have fun and hopefully make friends. I really have loved this role, I was a competitor in 2020, joined the competitions team in 2021 and in 2022 I got to make it my own. I stared the Bail Applications competition, alongside my team I put on some really awesome Grand Finals but my favourite part was watching the competitors and how far they've come. It's a real honour watching people improve with every competition, watching their confidence increase and them have more fun with it each time. The biggest challenge of the role is keeping on top of so many conflicting deadlines simultaneously but luckily my brilliant team is always on the ball.

I would recommend joining the DLSS because frankly a law degree is only half the battle. It's important to get out there, make good connections, give back to your community in anyway you can and truly maximise your Uni experience by learning as much as possible in the little time we're given. Making friends has helped me navigate uni so much, it's truly an invaluable part of my experience and the things I've learned from attending the DLSS events have truly helped better prepare me for the profession. The DLSS tackles so many real world issues students will face and fills the gaps in your studies. For instance, I learned everything about clerkships from attending my DLSS peers’ events.

-Julia Fittipaldi, 2022 Director of Competitions