2 minute read
Message from the Dean
George Williams
UNSW Law has always prepared graduates for work in the public sector – it is part of our commitment to serving the whole of society, not just law’s traditional constituents. This public interest guide provides an excellent introduction to the many opportunities available for graduates. Too often, law schools have been flooded with publicity from the private sector and students have been insufficiently aware of all the opportunities that are available. This guide, along with the other efforts of Law Soc and the Law School’s Career Service Manager, Siobhan Ryan, aims to rectify this and 2019 saw an increased number of public interest engagement initiatives to enlighten students to possible career paths.
The public sector includes some areas of law which have been expanding rapidly and which provide excellent opportunities. I will note just three, very different, examples: first, the growth of regulation and compliance requirements; second, the continuing expansion of security services in many forms; and third, the use by governments of extended royal commissions and other inquiries. All these provide expanding areas of work for lawyers.
UNSW Law has always had a foundational, defining commitment to social justice. This guide introduces you to many opportunities in community legal centres and NGOs. Our alumni lead major institutions such as the Australian Council of Social Service and Redfern Legal Centre, and we are proud to have the Kingsford Legal Centre on campus providing legal advice to our local community and students. Increasingly, our graduates are working in international organisations and NGOs. In 2020, UNSW established a mentoring network to provide advice and mentoring opportunities for students keen to better understand their career options and progression pathways, including in public advocacy, both overseas and at home. UNSW Law prides itself on integrating an academic environment with experiential learning and opportunities for professional development. We offer more clinics and internships than any other Australian law school and because of this, our students are more aware of the social issues and injustices that exist around them. Wherever they look for opportunities, UNSW graduates have a real advantage through the emphasis in our teaching on the social, political, and economic contexts of the law and the connection between academic work and practice. Our curriculum and emphasis on experiential learning were informed by extensive consultation with employers: they want graduates with the breadth of knowledge and experience that our experiential and classroom teaching provides.
I am keen to encourage all students to be active in searching for roles that express their talents and beliefs and where they will do something that makes them feel worthwhile. I hope you use the 2020 Public Interest Careers Guide to help guide you on the right career path for you and make the best of the wealth of opportunities available.
George Williams
Dean of UNSW Law Faculty