Sheetal Balakrishnan

Which high school did you attend? North Sydney Girls High School

Which degree are you studying? What year are you in?  5th year, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws

What led you to choose UTS for your studies in Law? I chose UTS because it offers a practical law degree. With the course developed around graduate attributes, UTS:Law equips its graduates with professional skills that make them attractive to employers. Classes are flexible with day and night options, allowing me to personalise my timetable to fit other commitments outside University. 

How have your studies at UTS helped you in finding a career path? UTS Law has imbued me with communication, research and work management skills that I have been able to employ in my work experience. My education in law and business has provided me with opportunities to work in either field. Ideally, I have been able to fuse the two disciplines whilst working as a summer clerk at a commercial law firm.

Are you working while studying? If so, how do you manage the competing demands of university and work? Throughout my degree I have been able to work in several legal organisations. From small and medium size law firms to non-profit legal organisations, each role has been rewarding and beneficial. Working throughout my degree has also given me an insight into the career options that are available. While working and studying can be a demanding combination, the limited time I have encourages me to complete my university work.

What sets UTS students apart in your field? I think the biggest difference is the practical aspect of the UTS Law degree. Practicality is embedded in the law subjects through a combination of oral presentations, hands-on research sessions and teamwork. This means that UTS graduates are not only equipped with theoretical knowledge, but also with the necessary skills to apply that knowledge.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? During my penultimate year I was selected to participate in the High Achievers Mentoring Program. Through the program I was mentored by a prominent person in the legal community. The program presented me with an opportunity to assess my goals and options for a career in law and my mentor provided me with invaluable guidance and support.

What sort of work do you hope to be doing after you graduate? When I graduate I am looking forward to applying my knowledge and skills from both business and law in the commercial law arena. The dynamic and versatile world of commercial law will provide me with an opportunity to work across a diverse range of matters to further develop my skills.

With my experience working in non-profit organisations, I am also interested in social justice and law reform work aimed at responding to the needs of the disadvantaged.

What is the most useful thing you have learned from your degree so far? The most useful thing is the skills set I have developed as I have been able to utilise them in the workplace. The communication and research skills I have learned have enabled me to correspond with clients and complete research tasks, respectively.

My education at UTS has provided me with a good grounding for these professional skills, which I will be able to further build on throughout my career.

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? My advice to anyone considering UTS Law is to make the most of your degree and time at university. Get involved in the Law Students' Society’s competitions, gain some work experience and most of all think about the area of law in which you would like to practice.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS Law, or the University as a whole? The UTS:Law academic staff are passionate about their disciplines. Many of my lecturers have offered insight into the application of legal concepts through their work experience. I have always found that their personal anecdotes and suggestions assisted my learning.