Lived Experience Forum

[younglawyer]

hi everyone,

I hate when you have a small glimmer of hope then everything comes crashing down again =( I've been feeling increasingly depressed and sometimes suicidal about not being able to find a job as a graduate. Today a law firm rang me saying you can come work for us and I got all excited then they said the first year is without pay. Then maybe (sounded like a pretty iffy maybe) we will find you a paid position. What a joke. Who do these people think they are? 1 year without pay, how do they expect me to eat? Is that even legal? I could understand a community legal centre doing this but it was a commercial firm.

[Former-Member]

Hi younglawyer

so sorry to hear of the tough time you're having as a law graduate. I have heard from others in the field that it can be hard going getting started. Seems like such a lot to expect someone to work for 12months without payment. Have you tried getting volunteer work (once a week for example) at a community legal centre to give you some experience perhaps? I'm sure you are super talented and dedicated but even so it's easy to get down about it sometimes. I hope that you will be ok. Don't forget to call Lifeline 131114 if you feel really low. 

All the best. Keep us posted how it goes.

Shel49

[NikNik]

Hi @younglawyer

I'm sorry to hear they got your hopes up like that. One year unpaid seems completely unreasonable.

It's really important to find out about your rights. Here is a list of organisations who can help you find out what is okay & what isn't: http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/jobs-and-workplace/working-conditions

Australian Unions might be helpful also.

I hope these are helpful!

Nik