Nicola Cooper

What position do you currently hold and where? Graduate lawyer at Lander & Rogers Lawyers.

What does your job involve? Graduate lawyers at Landers are heavily involved in a wide range of matters. We typically undertake research, meet with clients, draft letters of advice and appear in court.

What led you to choose UTS:Law for your studies? When I was in the process of choosing universities, I was struck by how progressive and modern UTS was. I was also very impressed by the emphasis placed on securing employment for graduates. UTS seemed like a university which was focused on giving students practical experience and knowledge which was applicable to the workplace and the real world.  I wanted to study Journalism and Law, and the combined degree at UTS was perfect for me as both the courses were  career-focused and reputable.

How have your studies at UTS contributed to your career as a whole? How have they informed the way you work? I found the subjects at UTS to be very practical and focused on problem solving, not simply identifying issues. This type of education sets you up perfectly for the legal industry where clients are looking for real solutions. UTS distinguishes itself in this regard, because no time is wasted on out-dated theory which is rarely applicable or useful in the workplace. From the outset, we were taught to present our ideas and arguments in plain English. Since commencing work as a graduate lawyer, I've come to appreciate what an important and valuable skill this is.

What was the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? Writing a thesis and finishing my law degree with First Class Honours was particularly rewarding because it is a long-lasting recognition of the hard work I put into my studies.

What is the most useful or important thing you learned from your studies at UTS? The assignments in both of my degrees were based on the sort of work which I would be undertaking as a professional in either field and I learned skills which I could easily apply in the workplace. This sort of experience is invaluable as a student, because you have a support structure of peers, tutors and lecturers to guide you from an early stage.

Was there anyone in particular at the University who had a significant influence on your studies? My cohort had a positive influence on my studies. I relocated to Sydney to study and I didn't know anyone at UTS, but found the other students to be encouraging and supportive of one another. Some of my peers from university have now become my colleagues at work and I have been pleasantly surprised to find that the support, encouragement and camaraderie continues after university ends!

Were you involved in extra-curricular activities such as the Mentoring program, Brennan program, Mooting, LSS? How has this experience aided your career development? I was a member of the Law Students' Society which was great for meeting lots of new people and attending social events. The Law Students' Society also hosted career-related events and published a lot of very useful material for the clerkship process in penultimate year. From the events and information provided to me, I was able to assess potential career paths and eventually secure my current role through a clerkship.

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? If you choose to study law at UTS, you will probably be challenged and you will definitely be rewarded. A law degree sets you up for a broad range of jobs, even if you decide that you don't want to practice as a lawyer.

The degree is modern and relevant, the tutors and lecturers have experience in the industry and the other students are motivated and supportive. Take advantage of the resources provided to you. If you work hard, it will pay off!

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:Law, or the University as a whole? It was a privilege and a pleasure to study at UTS. I have finished my law degree feeling competent, confident and proud to be a UTS graduate.