Over one hundred thirty students attended the first-ever TRU Law career fair on Friday, with the fair a buzz as sharp-looking students in business suits interacted with eighteen prospective employers from around the region.
“Overall I am quite happy with our inaugural career fair. Students were well-prepared, and well-dressed—which shows employers that students take it seriously. The employers were happy,” said Christi McAuley, Director of Career Services for the faculty of law, noting that the bulk of student attendees were 1Ls and 2Ls, as that is who the event is geared towards.
Most employers indicated they were looking to hire 2L summer students in 2017, as well as articling positions for 2017-2018.
Ruby Lau, a 1L from Richmond, BC, says she was pleased with the event, and that the variety of employers present allowed her to get a better understanding of the different recruitment processes for different types of law work.
“I made a list of ten firms I wanted to speak with, that were related to certain aspects of law I am interested in. Speaking to them in person was really helpful,” said Lau.
Six TRU Law alumni were also present, as associates representing several different law firms.
Scott Ellis, a member of the inaugural TRU Law grad class of 2014, is with MJB Law in Kamloops. He says it was great speaking to students and he can relate since it was not so long ago he was one of them.
“It’s a great way for them to get a snapshot, going from table to table. There’s exposure to a lot of different personalities and types of firms,” commented Ellis, who moved to Kamloops from Vancouver for law school in 2011, adding how happy he was to be able to settle in the city with his young family.
Prior to the career fair, about 80 students took in a career panel discussion, where four employers offered advice on how to stand out on application packages, resumes, in interviews, and at networking events, such as the career fair.
A common theme of the panel was the power of networking, but always remembering to be your authentic self.
“I recommend students take advantage of networking events to meet new people, expand their horizons,” said Rob Adkin, Partner at MJB Law. “Networking—“ he offered, adding a Canadian sports angle to his analogy, “—is like hockey. The more you practice the better you’ll be.”
Students appreciated the candid advice of the panel as well. Grace Kung, a 1L from Vancouver says her key takeaway was hearing a panelist describe how they approach hiring students.
“They said the type of person they were looking for would be someone they would feel comfortable leaving alone in a room with a client. For me, that statement was a new way of thinking about the qualities they are seeking,” said Kung.
The event was followed up by a social, where students and employers had a chance to mingle in a more casual atmosphere.
McAuley says she looks forward to hearing feedback from all involved to make next year’s fair even bigger and better.
2016 TRU Law Career Fair Employer Participants:
Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP, Vancouver
Baker Newby LLP, Chilliwack
Bennett Jones LLP, Calgary
Bilkey Law Corporation, Kamloops
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Vancouver
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
British Columbia Law Institute, Vancouver
British Columbia Ministry of Justice, Victoria, Vancouver and BC
Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP, Vancouver
Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
DLA Piper, Vancouver & Calgary
Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLP, Kelowna
Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria
Fulton & Company LLP, Kamloops
Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver
MLB Lawyers, Kamloops
Morelli Chertkow LLP, Kamloops
Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP, Kelowna
Sponsor:
