A management consultant and a budding international law expert, Joshua Pearson is juggling it all.

Joshua is studying a Master of International Law and Diplomacy at The Australian National University (ANU) College of Law.

“I had no previous experience in this space and undertook the degree purely out of interest,” said Joshua, a senior consultant at KPMG Australia.

“I chose to study this degree because I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of negotiation and communication in theory and practice, as well as a grounding in prominent international law.”

Joshua says the two-year program, co-delivered by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, has provided him with important international diplomatic and legal frameworks that he can use to analyse global issues.

For example, an understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has enabled him to better critique international disputes regarding maritime rights of sovereignty and jurisdiction within different territorial zones, such as territorial sea and exclusive economic zones.

While undertaking his studies, Joshua has been balancing his full-time work commitments.

“I am currently a full-time management consultant and I believe this degree will help me develop my analytical and writing skills. I also believe that as I progress, an understanding of prominent areas of international law and communication skills will enable me to engage with peers on a global scale,” he says.

He also enjoys going to the gym a couple of times a week, playing social sports and partaking in the odd round of pub trivia.

“It is often difficult to find time to attend classes physically and virtually. My professors have been extremely accommodating and understanding of my circumstances, communicating with me regularly to ensure that I have the best experience possible,” he says.

In addition to flexible study options, Joshua notes another of the program’s key advantages is its interdisciplinary courses that explore law’s relationship with international policy, relations, business and institutions - perfect for anyone eyeing a career with a geopolitical dimension.

“My biggest piece of advice for students would be to keep an open mind with legal frameworks. International law is a fascinating blend of legal language founded on principles of state sovereignty born out of a post-Second World War context.

“It is a unique area of study that blends multiple disciplines.”

Once he wraps up his studies, Joshua plans to cast the net wide and see where his new knowledge and skillset takes him professionally. He is also considering pursuing doctoral studies at ANU, looking at how frontline diplomats influence foreign policy objectives and global state relations, drawing on international practice theory.

Ready to start your Master of International Law and Diplomacy studies? Learn more here.