At the ANU College of Law, we recognise that professional experience, networking and mentoring are important components of a postgraduate legal education. These experiences enhance our students’ employability and put them on the pathway to rewarding careers.
The Jobs, Internships and Mentoring (JIM) program aims to help Master of Laws (LLM) and Graduate Certificate students – domestic and international, on-campus and online – fast-track their career goals through professional, personalised extracurricular opportunities.
Jobs
This program provides a directory listing service matching students with potential employers, focusing on regional, rural and remote job opportunities in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. As an LLM student, you’ll receive a fortnightly email outlining our latest jobs and internships to ensure you never miss an opportunity in the location and field of your interest.
Contact:enquiries.law@anu.edu.au
Internships
Facilitating internships (including virtual internships) and other practical or professional engagements – including via our relationship with InsideSherpa. In addition to extra-curricular opportunities, students enrolled in International Law Internship (LAWS8333) may undertake a virtual internship. Consistent with face-to-face internships, students secure their own internship as well as source an ANU College of Law academic to supervise and assessment academic tasks.
Contact:enquiries.law@anu.edu.au
Mentors
Mentoring (including virtual mentorships) is supported by mentors from the ANU College of Law alumni network, representing fields including private practice, the bar, the judiciary, government, and NGOs in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Each LLM student is matched with two co-mentors working in their field of interest, who can offer insight into practice in Australia and contribute to the student’s network of professional contacts. Each semester we hold on-campus and virtual social and discussion events for all our mentors and mentees.
Contact:LLM.Director@anu.edu.au
Information for mentors
We are looking for alumni and industry mentors from a wide range of sectors, reflecting the range of careers available to law graduates. To be a mentor, you must have a law degree (LLB, LLM or JD) and three or more years of professional experience.
Structure and matching process
The JIM program is facilitated by our LLM Director, who will support you and your mentee throughout the program.
Program structure
- The program runs across two semesters (approx. April-November)
- Participants should meet at least three times during the mentoring period
- The frequency of meetings is negotiated between mentor and mentee in the initial meeting
- Students are responsible for the relationship and will initiate the first contact
- Option to extend the relationship beyond the official end of the program
Matching process
Mentors are matched with a LLM student based on the mentor's nominated law area(s) of expertise and their location. Mentees and their mentors will be of the same gender. Matching occurs in March for the Semester 1 intake, and August for the Semester 2 intake.
Your role as mentor
Mentors work with the mentee to identify where they need greater insight and understanding. It is through this exchange that students develop a better understanding of the professional world and the ability to make informed decisions on career paths and strategies post–study.
Mentors may engage their mentee with any of the following:
- Discussions on a variety of work, law and career-related matters
- Work shadowing (if appropriate)
- Attend court/meetings with mentee (if appropriate)
- Introduce your mentee to colleagues (if appropriate)
- If mentoring an international student, assist to develop a network of professional contacts in Australia
- Assist with goal-setting and decision-making
Information for students
The aim of our JIM program is to help develop your career goals, whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance to the next level of your profession, with the support and guidance of our mentors.
The JIM program is open to all students enrolled in the LLM program and the Graduate Certificates of Law and New Technologies Law. Each semester students will receive an online questionnaire where they can nominate their interest in being a mentee.
Structure and matching process
Program structure
- The program runs across two semesters (approx. April - November)
- Mentors and mentees are expected to meet at least 3 times over the course of the program
- Meetings can take place in person or virtually
- The frequency and length of meetings are negotiable with your mentor
- Participants sign off on a mentoring agreement which outlines your proposed meeting schedule and mentoring goals
- Participants will have the opportunity to meet other mentors and mentees through networking events
The matching process
Mentees are matched with two mentors of the same gender based on nominated law area(s) of interest and location. Other factors such as personal hobbies/interests and educational background are also taken into account.
Your role as mentee
It is expected that all mentees commit to being actively and meaningfully engaged for the duration of the program.
Mentees should set realistic goals when they begin the mentor program, including what they hope to achieve or learn from their mentors. A beneficial and rewarding mentoring relationship is often dependent on a mentee's initiative to engage with their mentor.
Mentees are required to:
- Initiate communications with their mentor after the match is confirmed, and maintain communication with their mentor for the duration of the mentoring period
- Meet with their mentor three to four times in the mentoring period
- Consider topics of discussion and questions for their mentor before each meeting
- Be punctual to meetings
- Communicate regularly and promptly with their mentor
- Honour all commitments
- Be respectful of their mentoring relationship and communicate in a courteous manner
- Thank their mentor at the end of the mentoring program
- Keep shared information confidential.