Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28In the desperate hunt for any legal working environment that will have you, don’t forget to check that they’re actually eligible to supervise you. Start planning by reading the placement requirements. For example, your supervisor may have to have a certain level of practicing certificate. It always pays to ask this in the interview, rather than find out later. Happy hunting! 3. IS TH IS T HE R IG HT PLACE? Checkthejobsboardatuni.Evenbetter,yourunicareersservicemayevenhavepractical experienceadspostedonline.Inmyexperiencemostofthesepositionsareunpaid. The College of Law website has a page dedicated to practical placements. Again, many of these positions are voluntary, but if you want to be paid my recommendation would be to focus on those ads which offer employment once your practical experience has been completed. They’re more likely to pay you during your placement, and if they don’t then you at least have a paying job waiting for you when prac is over. If you have decided to do your practical experience on an unpaid basis, why not make it count? Many Community Legal Centres across the country offer practical placements to completing law students. There are legal centres for special interests (such as environmental law) and specific clients (immigrants, indigenous persons, young people, women, etc). Working in a CLC is a great way to give back and the experience is typically very hands on. Check out the national directory of CLCs. The next place to look is online job sites such as SEEK and My Career. Practical placement ads are not as easily found on these pages but they are likely to be paying positions. If the ads don’t make reference to PLT, College of Law or practical experience, look for references to a requirement for a final year law student. If all else fails ask yourself the question who do I know? You can undertake your prac in a whole range of legal situations: in a law firm, with a barrister, working for a judge, working in house. Chances are you know someone who knows someone. Don’t be afraid to ask, but don’t be too demanding either. Depending on how good the connection is you may or may not be paid. 2. WHERE CA N I F IND A PLACEMENT ? 15