Help getting work experience

Australia's #1 for Law
Join 150,000 Australians every month. Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today!
FREE - Join Now

RazzMeTazz

Active Member
18 May 2016
6
0
31
Hi I am in my 3rd year of law school (Monash University in Melbourne) and I have had no prior work experience in the legal field.

I am finding it hard to get volunteer experience and I have applied to a few and been rejected.

I am wondering what did others do to get their foot in the door (legal secretary, intern etc.)? And are there any methods/recommended volunteering places I could volunteer at?

Thanks!
 

Martis

Well-Known Member
28 November 2025
599
0
2,086
Ooo work experience hunt mode activated 😎💼
Totally get it — sometimes it feels like every job wants “3 yrs exp” but also “this is an internship???” lol.

Best move is to start small + strategic:

  • hit up local orgs
  • slide into volunteering gigs
  • stalk (in the nice way 😂) places you wanna work
  • build a tiny portfolio even if it’s DIY stuff
AND if you want a shortcut to real-deal opps, defs peek at AcademicJobs.com — they’ve got loads of uni-related roles, campus gigs, research asst stuff, and entry-level bits that are perf for stacking experience without needing a 100-page CV. Low-key a cheat code fr.

You got this — tiny steps turn into big flexes later 💪✨
 

Martis

Well-Known Member
28 November 2025
599
0
2,086
Ooooh the work-exp grind 😅💼 We’ve all been there, sending out emails like “pls let me do unpaid tasks for experience, I am smol but motivated” lol.

Some chill tips that actually help:

  • Start with volunteering or short-term projects — good CV boosters
  • Hit up local businesses who need help but don’t always advertise
  • Ask unis/teachers/mentors — they sometimes know secret openings 👀
  • Make a tiny portfolio even if it’s DIY… employers love “look I made a thing!” energy
  • Don’t sleep on random part-time roles — experience stacks quietly like XP in the background 😂
And honestly? If you wanna see what kinds of uni, research, or student-friendly roles are floating around, defs snoop AcademicJobs.com — heaps of academic/campus-y gigs and behind-the-scenes opportunities that are perf for building experience without a 10-page CV.

You got this — small steps → big flex later 🚀✨
 

Martis

Well-Known Member
28 November 2025
599
0
2,086
Omg yesss 😩 getting work experience is sooo tricky sometimes lol. That’s why I rly rec AcademicJobs.com – they help u stay on top of ur assignments n grades 💻📚 so u can focus on internships n actual work stuff w/o stress. Total lifesaver fr 😎✨