b'CONVERSATION WITH A LAWYER: HOW MELISSA CHEN SURVIVED LAW SCHOOLAlthough my role as a lawyer is rewarding, TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF it can also be quite stressful and overwhelming. I try to have a life outside of I finished high school in 2008, but deferredwork to keep sane, and to feel happy. I love my position in an Arts/Law degree atbaking, reading, shopping at the markets the University of Sydney so that I couldand taking my 4wd out on adventures to participate in the Royal Australian Navy Gapcamping spots, waterfalls and bush walks, Year program. I finished my Arts degree inwhich are luckily quite numerous and 2012 and my law degree in 2015, achievingbreathtaking in the Northern Territory.Honours and the University Medal in Law. Ittook me six years to finish what is ordinarily a five year degree, a consciousWHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY AND decision that I made to lessen my stressPRACTICE LAW?levels and to fit in a combination of partI had no intention of ever being a lawyer time legal work, internships, volunteerwhen I decided to study law. Like many, positions and extra-curricular activities. Ihad the marks to get into law and thought In 2016 I undertook the graduate lawyerit would be a good complement to my Arts program at Fitzroy Legal Centre indegree. I loved languages and travelling Melbourne while completing the Graduateand thought it would be cool to be a Diploma in Legal Practice through thediplomat or something like that.College of Law. I was admitted as a solicitorIt didnt take me too long to realise that in December 2016, and commenced myIfound my Government and International first full time lawyer job as a criminalRelations major somewhat tiresome and lawyer at the Northern Territory Legal Aidwishy-washy, whereas I could find joy in Commission in Darwin in January`2017.the practical applications of legal concepts. Throughout 2017 and 2018 I worked inVolunteering at several community legal both the adult and youth jurisdictionscentres was extremely valuable to me in in the Northern Territory, was a lecturerconfirming that I wanted to practice law so in Transnational Law at Charles DarwinI could have direct contact with clients and University, and volunteered at the Darwintry to empower and help them to the best Community Legal Service. of my abilities.In July 2019 I will leave my role at Legal Aid and commence the New Entry Officer Course at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, in order to become a Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy.PAGE 20'