In 2011 it became clear to us that non-corporate careers would be a great addition to the previous
guide, as it would allow us to explore possibilities that had not been available to WA students in a
handbook before. There are so many students that already know commercial law doesn’t interest them in
the slightest, and want to know what else they are able to do once they graduate. The benefit of knowing
as early as possible is that there are so many opportunities available to students who aren’t only in their
penultimate year: from undergraduate internships to volunteering roles. I think there is a misconception
that law students are unable to do anything that will contribute to their career in the first few years of
their degree. Hopefully this handbook will prove that this is incorrect – not only for those interested in
non-corporate careers, but also those who would like to stand out when applying for vacation clerkships
and graduate positions for commercial firms!
If there is one thing that we hope you take from this, it’s that you should never feel bound by your own or
others’ expectations. There are inspirational people out there in plenty of places you’d never expect, and
generally they got there by doing what they love, and giving it 100%. Whether you are interested in
commercial law, public service, advocacy, UN work or journalism, we hope this handbook allows you to
un-Twist those confusing knots about what you can achieve with your law degree – both as a student and
as a graduate. Plus – it’s Twister themed, and who doesn’t love Twister (except for when you get kicked in
the face)? While we can’t guarantee it, we hope that this handbook will not cause you any physical harm,
but play responsibly!
