Diana Vidovic
UTS law students realise that experience and practicality are just as important as sitting in a...
Which high school did you attend? Aquinas College, Menai
Which degree are you studying? What year are you in? 3rd year, Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Business
What led you to choose UTS for your studies in Law? I chose to study at UTS because of the practical reputation its students and graduates have in the workplace.
What influenced your decision? The flexibility of class timetables and expertise and experience of tutors and lecturers were all factors in my decision to study at UTS.
How have your studies at UTS helped you in finding a career path? The UTS:Law jobs website is very useful for finding relevant paralegal, clerk and legal positions. The UTS Careers Fair is another great resource for learning more about the field of work you are interested in.
Are you working while studying? How do you manage the competing demands of university and work? I work for a barrister as a casual research assistant/P.A. A lot of the time the research I undertake at work is relevant to my study. I find that I need to maintain a balance between work, university and social life, and I’ve only managed to attain through planning and sacrifice. I always have to plan ahead for my university assignments and keep up to date with subject content.
How has your learning experience at UTS prepared you for your career? The UTS learning experience has enabled me to become more confident in my decisions, whether they are study-related or career-based. It has also allowed me to develop better organisational and planning skills.
What sets UTS students apart in your field? UTS:Law students realise that experience and practicality are just as important as sitting in a classroom and learning the material. We understand that you have to apply what you learn – not just learn it.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? The most rewarding aspect of my degree is knowing that I will finish with great qualifications and a rewarding learning experience, because these factors broaden my potential career path and make me a more competitive candidate for future job applications.
What sort of work do you hope to be doing after you graduate? I would like to work in either accounting or commercial law in a large firm for a couple of years to gain experience. Looking further into the future, I would eventually like to establish my own practice.
What is the most useful thing you have learned from your degree so far? Marks aren’t everything – you have to be able to communicate well with other people and build connections.
Has anyone in particular at the University had a significant influence on your studies? A number of the law lecturers and subject coordinators, like Geoff Moore, Geoff Holland and Jason Harris, are very knowledgeable in their respective areas of law and I strongly admire their efforts and dedication to teaching and legal research.
What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? Definitely give UTS:Law a shot – it’s a great deal more than an ugly building!
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:Law, or the University as a whole? The High Achievers Mentoring Program has given me the opportunity to have Judge Ann Ainslie-Wallace as my mentor. I was fortunate enough to sit in the Associate’s section of the Full Court of the Family Court and observe an appeal, as well as meet the other Justices in Chambers. This was a great experience and it gave me an invaluable insight on the operation of the legal system.
