Carlos Barrios

Are you working while studying? Yes - I am working part-time while studying full-time a combined degree in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business.

What does your job involve? Is it related to your degree? During semester I work two jobs.

I am currently working at UTS: Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning as an ‘Academic of the future cadet’ where I help tutor Indigenous law students who would like assistance with foundational and core law subjects. I also help conduct academic research for UTS: Jumbunna and UTS: Law Faculty academics. This job is directly related to my law degree as I tutor students the foundational and core subjects I have already completed, as well as conduct legal research and assistance for UTS staff. 

I also work one day a week at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC - right next door to uni!) where I am an Operations Group intern. Here, I have rotated around the Operations Group, including their Audit, Financial Control, Operations & Planning, Capital Works, Technology and Tax divisions. This job is directly related to my business and law degree as I have contributed to compliance work relating to, among other things, contract management, accounting and audit work.

Further, I’ve also secured a full-time summer and winter internship at Telstra, working with their in-house legal team as a Legal Intern in their Consumer, M&A and Global Enterprise & Services legal teams. Being a legal intern, this job is directly related to my law degree and it was so great to see that a lot of their lawyers had been UTS:LAW alumni!  

How do you manage the competing demands of university and work? A lovely teacher and mentor of mine in high school always told me that “organisation is the key to success”. Law school has taught me the great value of this mantra and it is something I will always live by. The only way I can be organised is by living a very balanced lifestyle where I make sure I get a healthy amount of sleep, food and exercise - I think that students undertaking a combined degree in business and law will eventually find the value in ensuring a healthy mind, body and spirit. Further, I always dedicate an amount of time during the day and night to simply do nothing but relax, reflect and let my mind and body unwind. 

What led you to choose UTS:LAW for your studies Comparing all the law schools in Sydney, I found that the UTS Law School was well-suited for my personal approach to learning. I always learn best in interactive, innovative and practical settings where there is conversation and dialogue and most importantly, real-life applications to learning. The UTS Law Faculty and its staff are renowned for harnessing the constant growth of technology to provide an inventive, pragmatic and relevant approach to teaching. 

What is the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? So far, the most rewarding aspect of my degree would be my role as a peer tutor teaching younger law students. I gain a sense of achievement gained after each lesson with my students, knowing I can help positively shape their learning, ethics, morals and beliefs - and ultimately, their maturity as a law student. Ironically, after most of my lessons I feel that I’m doing most of the learning as my students often each have their own personal wisdoms and understanding to learning, law and life!  

Where would you like your double degree to take your career? The best thing about undertaking a double degree is that it provides different opportunities to unique and remarkable career paths. I often feel that I ought to give everything a go before settling down with a career choice. However, whether I choose to become a lawyer, regulator or banker, I know I’ll be able to harness the invaluable technical wisdom I have gained studying at UTS to see me in a leadership position where I can create a dynamic change that will disrupt the business and legal world!

Are you involved in extra-curricular activities such as the Mentoring program, Brennan program, Mooting, LSS? How has this experience aided your career/personal development? I am involved with almost all of the programs within the LSS and I’m also involved in mentoring initiatives and young lawyers associations with the NSW Bar Association and the NSW Law Society. The greatest advantage in participating in so many extra-curricular activities is that it helps you build strong networks and friendships with experienced lawyers and law students, and access to wonderful legal opportunities and mentors. For example, one day I was able to casually shadow the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW (The Hon. Thomas Bathurst) and His Honour’s tipstaff with the help of my networks and mentor at the NSW Bar Association!

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? The trick to succeeding in law school is threefold. First, live a balanced lifestyle nurturing a healthy mind, body and spirit. Second, do whatever it takes to find a mentor already practicing law - they’re always full of contagious passion and wisdom and have already gone through what you’re about to! And finally, always remember that organisation is the key to success! 

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:LAW, or the University as a whole? Every university has innovative facilities, new technologies and a different learning style. What makes UTS so different from all other Sydney universities is its greatest asset - its teaching staff. I absolutely enjoy the passion, creativity, and intelligence possessed by the staff and it is the learning environment they create that give me the confidence and security to proudly exclaim that there would be no place I’d rather be when it comes to studying business and law!