ANU work experience and what's it's really like in Canberra (1 Viewer)

[wendyw217]

Hey everyone, I'd really like to do Asia-Pacific Studies (Specialist)/Law next year at ANU, but dad doesn't want me to go because a) it's in canberra and b) he thinks nothing much happens and I won't find a job while I'm at Uni.

If anyone could fill me in - how are the job prospects, while still in first/second/third year law? I'm not really talking Coles, as I've read in some previous posts, but more like.. law firms? or private/public sector work experience?

Anyway, I'd really like to convince dad to let me go.

Thanks!
Wendy

 

[jas0nt]

1. what does he have against canberra? imo it's a great balance between uni life and social life.
2. what's wrong with attending the highest-ranked university in southern hemisphere, with a very prestigious law faculty?
3. what kind of job does your dad expect you to get while at uni anyway? supreme court justice? a QC lawyer? most uni kids work at supermarkets/fast food joints anyway.
4. firms don't tend to hire law students for serious jobs unless they have performed very well academically, or unless they are in their penultimate years. you COULD get a job in a law firm while in your undergrad years... but i hope you like photocopying/making coffee (this applies to most fields really, not just law)

 

[neo o]

There are heaps of government departments in Canberra and most major Australian law firms have offices here. As Jason said though, don't expect to get those jobs in your first year. I do know people who've started working in government departments from their second year and large law firms in their third year, so it's certainly possible, but those people were particularly persistent. I've had a fairly good series of jobs working for the ANU.

As for Sydney or Melbourne, good luck getting anything but a fast food job there until you can apply for clerkships in your fourth year. There aren't very many law firms in Sydney or Melbourne who'd consider taking on a green law student and even if there were, competition would be intense just because there are so many law schools in Sydney and Melbourne.

Alot of people like to claim that Canberra is boring based upon their experience during a 2 day stop over on their way to the snow. To be honest, it's a stupid assumption that people make and it irritates me. There will be over 2,000 students living on campus next year and you'll be surrounded by young people. The city center is a 10 minute walk away and is full of clubs (with no cover charges and cheap drinks), night spots and cafes and like at any university there are heaps of college social events, clubs and societies. In an environment like that you can have as much fun as you want to.

 

[wendy217]

Alot of people like to claim that Canberra is boring based upon their experience during a 2 day stop over on their way to the snow. To be honest, it's a stupid assumption that people make and it irritates me.

personally, I think that's a really good point. I'm going to try and convince dad, because I think it's a really really good uni to be at. I'm dragging the parents down for the open day anyway

 

[khing]

that is a brilliant idea. Canberra is quite a pleasant place. A short stopover is a terrible way to make an assessment.

See you at open day!

 

[Evilo]

Alot of people like to claim that Canberra is boring based upon their experience during a 2 day stop over on their way to the snow. To be honest, it's a stupid assumption that people make and it irritates me.

That annoys me too - every time I question someone about it, the last time they were over here was in a year 6 school excursion.

 

[Sammy-Blue]

Canberra isn't a bad place, but it's not brilliant either.

 

[Evilo]

Canberra isn't a bad place, but it's not brilliant either.

sif.

orly?

 

[Sammy-Blue]

sif.

orly?

Ya rly.

Sydney/Melb/Bris > Canberra

 

[Evilo]

disagree - i like the clean air and no traffic.

 

[Sammy-Blue]

I've had clean air and no traffic my entire life, I'm over it.

 

[Evilo]

rural.

 

[Sammy-Blue]

Which is what Canberra reminds me of.

Also, it's classed as regional, learn the difference please.

Edit: Although I have never lived in Brisbane for any lengthy period, all the times I have been there I have never found the traffic to be particularly unbearable, even in the CBD. The air seems fine to me.

 

[Evilo]

try living in syd /melb - then you'll know why canberra is better.

 

[Sammy-Blue]

Lol, it's just not. I'm not debating this further.

 

[BackCountrySnow]

Sydney's good for the night life.

 

[blacksunset]

have you lived in melbourne?
i agree with sammy. canberra can be alright, but it is in no way brilliant. good study environment as there really is not much to do.
melbourne and sydney (and brisbane from the few times i have been there) both have much better public transport systems

what do u have against sydney or melbourne anyway? which part of sydney did u even live in?

 

[BackCountrySnow]

western Sydney is worse than hell.

 

[Dichromate]

Canberra is only any good if you're living on campus or manage to find a house in the inner north.
Ending up out in the suburbs aka satellite cities makes socializing difficult and expensive.
Not so much of a problem for me, since I grew up in Canberra and have friends from high school, but if you move here from somewhere else and find yourself not only off campus, but far enough away that you can't walk/ride to ANU/Civic you'll likely find Canberra to be a desolate and lonely place.

 

[Evilo]

thats why you take advantage of the first year guarantee.