“The level of service that our Career Development Office (CDO) staff have been able to provide during the pandemic has been amazing!” exclaims Shane Rozen-Delman, Law’22, who is now planning for the summer job recruitment process. “They transitioned seamlessly to working remotely in mid-March, maintaining programming, resources, and one-on-one sessions that focus on our personal career development and success.” 

“CDO staff genuinely care about students and this really shows through their work and their initiatives,” adds Dakota Bundy, Law’22, who worked with the staff remotely this summer and is now a student committee member. “As one example, they worked so hard to ensure students were aware of pandemic-related changes, to update resources to reflect the current situation, and did everything they could to help students feel more comfortable. I’m incredibly proud of how they continue to prioritize students during these uncertain and trying times.”

Students do indeed benefit from the CDO’s programming, resources, and individualized approach. The articling placement rate held steady at 95 per cent for the three previous years and this year rate increased to 96.5 per cent. CDO Director Julie Banting says several factors account for this high rate. “It’s a testament to having a strong recruit for summer jobs, working with students during articling recruitment, and providing intensive support to the remainder of students seeking articles as they entered third-year in September. Our 3Link program connects the latter students with alumni who are seasoned lawyers practising in students’ areas of interest.”

Last year Rozen-Delman began his career journey with the CDO by self-reflecting on his strengths and weaknesses, as well as identifying and understanding his goals. He participated in resume workshops and one-on-one interview preparation sessions. Now two months into his second year, he has attended virtual firm tours and clerkship information sessions, has been speaking regularly with Julie Banting and Mike Molas (Career Counsellor) about best practices to succeed in the recruitment process for next summer’s jobs and getting help with his resume, cover letters, and informational interview preparation. 
 
“Mike and Julie are always prompt and follow through with what they say they will do,” says Rozen-Delman. “They provide advice that is tailored to our situation and needs. The incredibly strong support system that they and Sara Ali (Career Development Coordinator) provide is extremely important.” 

This fall, the CDO has held all student counselling sessions, programs, and events remotely, facilitating career exploration and relationship-building opportunities. 

This year’s offering of Osler BizBasics, a four-part series organized and hosted by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP to provides first-year students with foundational insight for the successful practice of business law, kicked off on October 23. “Demystifying Business Law” and then networking with over 100 student attendees were Osler partner Pat Welsh, Law’10, associates Melanie Simon, Law’16, Alex Hodgson, Law’19, and Tiye Traore, Law’19, and articling student Tearney Johnston-Jones, Law’20.

Another inspiring event, Law as a Launchpad returns on November 16. Featured on a panel of seasoned alumni who leveraged their law degrees into a diverse array of successful careers are Ruth Chun, Law'06, CEO, Chun Law Professional Corporation; Jim Kofman, Law’82 (Com’78), Chair, Cormark Securities Inc.; Paul Rivett, Law’96 (MIR’93), co-owner, Nordstar Capital, and Chair, Torstar; and Jayne Stoyles, Law’96, Executive Director, Amnesty International Canada. 

The CDO is also hosting special new events via Zoom. Dakota Bundy – who along with four other CDO student committee members reviews resumes, cover letters, and helps facilitate events – is also organizing a legacy project panel on diversity and inclusion. 

“This topic has always been important to me, given that I’m a Black woman and my identity plays a part in pretty much all of my interactions and experiences, but it’s especially important for me because I think this is an area where the school has room to improve,” she explains.  

The legacy project will feature a panel of diverse alumni who will answer questions about their identities, their experiences in the legal field, how to overcome challenges, and where they see opportunities for the future. Bundy teamed up with three student clubs – First Generation Network-Queen’s Chapter, Black Law Students' Association-Queen's Chapter, Queen’s OutLaw, and the Indigenous Law Students’ Alliance – to select panelists, including Maggie Carmichael, Law’18, and Caitlin Woodford, Law’19, associates with Blakes in Toronto, and Leah Thompson, Law’17, Legal Counsel with the Department of Justice Canada. The event takes place on November 23. 

“Our students are completing a degree that has a lot of value and a lot of opportunity,” says Banting. She and her CDO team are committed to helping students make the most of those opportunities to meet their own individual career goals. 

By Lisa Graham