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  • The Alternates: Divya Ramesh, Communications/Marketing Manager, OML

    At Amicus Partners, one of the of my biggest learnings is that education and growth (personal and professional) need not always be a linear process. Nor are there always template answers and pathways for finding success.

    And this is where the idea behind “The Alternates” came up – have people followed non-traditional routes to finding “success”? And if so, what are the difficulties they faced, and what are the things they have learnt along the way? In this edition, we get NLU Jodhpur graduate Divya Ramesh to share a few thoughts.

    Divya Ramesh on not being a lawyer
    Divya Ramesh

    Sorry (not sorry) to take you (way!) back in time, but why did you choose to study law? And, now with the benefit of time, how valuable was your legal education?

    I ended up in law by a complete fluke that stemmed out of having no idea what I wanted to study. I was also a rather naive child who was presented with the stereotypical options of “engineering, medicine or law” and by process of elimination I ended up a lawyer.

    I’ll refrain from giving the usual “I took away essential analytical skills from law school” answer – I don’t think it contributed a whole lot in itself apart from letting me have a grand old time with respect to personal development, and building relationships that have been pretty crucial for me.

    After you graduated, you opted for a role as in house counsel – why? Were you ever considering opting for an unconventional pathway? Or was this something you decided on only after working for a while?

    Very early on in law school I knew this isn’t what I wanted to do long term. I wasn’t sure what I did want to do, but this probably wasn’t it. I used to blog a lot for fun (back when blogs were a thing) and got really active- and for 2007 standards quite popular – on Twitter.

    I used those soft skills (for the lack of any other) to take up freelance writing and copy editing assignments, all while dutifully completing law school on the side. After I graduated with Corporate Law Hons., I decided (still being dutiful) to give being a lawyer a go. I was an in house counsel, yes, for two years. It seemed like the path of the fewest immediate obstacles as far as being a lawyer went. And then I decided to quit while I was still young and still had the willpower to leave the lawyer-money behind.

    Your first “non-lawyer” job was? 

    A junior copywriter at a digital ad agency.  That’s a fun story, I was exploring career options and I started asking around about advertising. I vaguely knew a girl from my blogging days – we were “blogger friends” – who had started her own agency so I pinged her asking if I could pick her brain about how the industry worked.

    She explained it to me and then asked me to interview at her agency, since she was already familiar with how I thought and wrote. I did and I got that job, where I stayed for 5 years. Yay for the internet!

    Was it difficult to make this switch? Any barriers that came up along the way?

    My family was petrified at the fact that I was proposing to leave a respectable career in law for something they had no idea about – and leaving the Bombay High Court for a small warehouse office that I would wear shorts to. Assuaging them was the biggest concern but once I managed that – after a LOT of persistence- it was all good.

    Do you miss anything about the lawyer life?

    Not a thing.

    Do you NOT miss anything about the lawyer life?

    I don’t think I was cut out for law, really. I could see why it would be an interesting field to work in if I was a different sort of person, so I respect the profession a lot. But I certainly don’t miss reading through those giant stacks of agreements.

    What are some of the nicer things about your current line of work?

    Nicer is so subjective. I enjoy that I have to stay up to date on popular culture, social media trends and strange things that the internet throws up for my job. It’s interesting in a more outward facing manner, in a way that drafting the perfect indemnity clause isn’t. But it’s also quite exhausting and requires you to be constantly creative and innovative. There’s good and there’s bad, but it’s a lot of fun.

    Would you recommend studying law for those who are not sure about their professional ambitions?

    Right out of school – absolutely not. Do a BA. Or a B.Sc. Or a more generalised course that will give you a better idea of your skills and interests so you can have a less meandering career path. It may not give you an effortless ice-breaker in job interviews (wait you were a lawyer 10 years ago!?), but will ensure that you’re able to learn what you like and need instead of bumbling your way into the job you finally want.

  • First Person Accounts: Saraswati Iyer on the LL.M. at California Western Law School

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of Indian graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    Saraswati Iyer is a 2016 LLM graduate from the California Western Law School (CWSL), and is currently working in the US, focusing on the field of immigration law. Saraswati decided to enrol for the LLM two years after graduating with a law degree from MS University in Baroda. In this FPA, she discusses her reasons for applying for an LLM, her experiences at CWSL and a lot more.

    Saraswati Iyer is a 2016 LLM graduate from the California Western Law School (
    Saraswati Iyer

    How did you go about selecting where to apply for an LLM? And what got you to narrow down on CWSL?

    I considered multiple different factors during the application process. The location of the school, the background of the faculty members, bar exam and employment opportunities afterward. And of course, the course fees was also important.

    CWSL was the perfect fit considering the reputed faculty and the overall cost of the program.

    Any advice on the LLM application itself? How much time do you think one requires for the application process?

    I would advise everyone to start early as every college has different timelines and different requirements. Identifying the right school for you is the most important part of the application process.

    Once you know which school/schools you would like to apply to, ensure you are able to convey your fitment with the school culture through your SOP. I would recommend setting aside enough time to prepare all the required documents.

    The CWSL admissions team is extremely helpful and will guide all applicants through the process.

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid?

    I did not apply for financial aid but received a partial waiver on the tuition fees considering my background.

    How was the LLM experience at CWSL? Looking back, what were some of the highlights of the course?

    It was a great experience, mixed with both learning and fun. I look back and think of every single aspect of the program and the culture, and now see how it added immense value to my experience overall.

    Interacting with the faculty members and the admissions staff through casual conversation over breakfast or lunch helped me learn so much more than just classroom learning.

    You are currently working in the US, in fact with a CWSL alum – how easy or difficult do you think it is for the international LLM graduate to find employment in the US?

    The alumni network is a great place to start to find the right job opportunities for you. That is how I was also able to find employment with an alum. Being an international student obviously comes with certain restrictions so it is never too early to start.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering a master’s abroad?

    Consider the holistic course program offering in making your decision.

     

    (This interview was first published here)

     

    If you would like Amicus Partners to provide some personalised advice on your LLM applications, please fill in this form and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.

  • First Person Accounts: Sanjini Jain on an LL.M. from the University of Washington

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of Indian graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    Sanjini Jain is a 2019 LL.M. graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Law. In this FPA, the law graduate from Nirma University (’17) shares her reasons for narrowing down on the University of Washington, her LL.M. experience, and a whole lot more.

    Sanjini Jain is an LLM graduate from the University of Washington School of Law
    Sanjini Jain

    Did you contemplate going for the LLM right after your undergraduate course? Or was the plan to always to work for a bit and then apply ?

    I always sure that I wanted to pursue my LL.M. abroad to gain international exposure. I worked for a year with the legal department of a leading pharmaceutical company before finally deciding to pursue LL.M.

    I feel its important to get some work experience in your country to gain more out of your LL.M. I was the youngest in my cohort at University of Washington School of Law while all others had work experiences ranging from 5-10 years.

    That itself speaks a lot.

    How did you go about selecting just where to apply? What got you to narrow down on the University of Washington?

    My interest areas were primarily in International Dispute Resolution, Corporate Social Responsibility & International Human Rights Law. University of Washington School of Law was the only university in USA offering a specialisation in Sustainable International Development Law. The course structure & curriculum perfectly catered to my interest areas.

    Having said that, I did apply to 5-6 universities apart from UW Law.

    The deciding factor for me was the sort of commitment shown by the faculty members from UW Law towards their international students. Not only did they respond proactively to all my queries, they took the efforts to give extremely detailed responses. The guidance received from them was not only restricted to academics, but also about any other query which an international student might have/face which made my experience absolutely great & more importantly easy.

    “The deciding factor for me was the sort of commitment shown by the faculty members from UW Law towards their international students. Not only did they respond proactively to all my queries, they took the efforts to give extremely detailed responses. “

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid?  

    I was a recipient of the partial tuition scholarship from University of Washington International Student Tuition Waiver Program. Being a public university, the tuition fee at UW Law was relatively less as compared to other private law schools which further helped in mitigating my costs.

    How was the LLM experience at Washington University? What were some of the highlights along the way?

    If I had to sum up my time at University of Washington School of Law  in two words, it would be “Life Changing”.

    I was the only LL.M. candidate to be selected as a Research Assistant for working with the Marian Gould Gallagher Law Library. I assisted the law library in their research services as well their  Microfiche Project on Washington Appellate Court & Congressional Records.

    I was also selected as the LL.M. Representative at the Women’s law caucus. It was the first time any LL.M. Representative had been chosen at the Caucus. I was also one of the two LL.M. Candidates chosen to work with the Washington International Law Journal.

    Moreover the sort of diversity the class of 2019 had was absolutely brilliant. There were total of 3 Indians in my class with me being the only one who had come all the way from India to specifically pursue masters. I had the chance to learn about so many different cultures & share snippets from ours. The joy of being on a dinner table with people from more than 8 nationalities and learning about their life & experiences is something that is greater than any academic achievement.

    “I had the chance to learn about so many different cultures & share snippets from ours. The joy of being on a dinner table with people from more than 8 nationalities and learning about their life & experiences is something that is greater than any academic achievement. “

    Moreover Seattle is a beautiful & inspiring city to live in. One can never get tired of taking strolls along their lake side parks, seeing the famous cherry blossoms, tulip valley festivals and hiking on Mt. Rainier.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering a master’s abroad?

    Choose your school carefully, do not rely too much on rankings. Speak to the professors, understand the course structure & try to speak to students studying there to understand their experiences. Choose a school that values diversity above all.

    If you would like Amicus Partners to provide some personalised advice on your LLM applications, please fill in this form and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.

  • We are working with every applicant to find a viable solution! – UNH Franklin Pierce Law School’s Sarah Dorner

    Law schools around the world are coming up with new and innovative ways to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the University of New Hampshire’s Franklin Pierce School of Law is no different. Not only does the school offer a host of online courses, but it is also now proactively addressing any concerns or difficulties prospective applicants are facing.

    Sarah Dorner, Associate Director of Admissions at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law
    Sarah Dorner, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law

    In an email interview, the school’s Associate Director of Admissions, Sarah Dorner discusses some of the most common problems LL.M. applicants are facing, and how her team is addressing these concerns.

    What impact has the coronavirus had on your institution?

    We are currently learning and working remotely.  We’re different from other law schools in that we embraced online learning years ago. As a technology-forward law school, the switch to online education was easy and we have been able to fully function as an online law school without much extra work or training.

    Many of our programs are already online including our Hybrid JD, and our LLM, Master’s, and graduate programs in intellectual property and international criminal law and justice.  Since many of our professors already teach online, the infrastructure for online learning was in place.  We hope to serve as a model for other law schools.

    Are there any changes being planned for the academic year 2020-21 that I, as an LLM candidate, should be aware of? 

    We are hopeful that the situation will improve in time for students to arrive this fall. But we are a flexible law school and have plans so students can begin their LLM online and then join us in person when it is safe to do so. We remain mindful of the ever-evolving situation here in the US and around the world, and are exploring all possible options.

    Due to the closure of their law schools, some Indian applicants might be unable to send their official transcripts in time – what options do such applicants have? 

    We understand that many universities have closed, making it hard for students to access their official transcripts. We do all we can to be flexible and help students navigate this challenge. At the same time, assessing students’ academic records is a critical part of our application review process.

    Given the situation, Franklin Pierce is happy to use unofficial copies of transcripts that students submit to our office via email to make an admission decision. Before beginning classes in the fall, students will need to have their universities send official transcripts to our office.

    Another common problem applicants face is with respect to the recommendation letters – some recommenders are finding it difficult to send scanned copies of their letters.

    Hearing from your professors and/or employers helps us better understand your ability to be successful in the legal classroom and in the workplace. Given the current circumstances, we are happy to accept letters from your references via email.

    We understand flexibility is critical right now, so please reach out if you want to discuss your individual situation and we will work with you to find a solution!

    Are there any waivers when it comes to English requirements?

    We require the TOEFL or IELTS exam for students from countries where English is not the native language. This requirement is waived for students who provide proof that they received their undergraduate degree from a school where English was the language of instruction.

    ETS has developed a Special Home Edition of the TOEFL exam to meet the needs of students who cannot access a test center due to public health concerns. This is a great option to consider!

    Please let us know if this option does not fit for you, and you have exhausted all other options. We will schedule a video call with a member of our faculty and an admissions officer to assess your level of English language ability.

    Learn more about the different LL.M. programmes on offer at Franklin Pierce here. You can also contact the school at admisisons@law.unh.edu or on WhatsApp at +1-603-513-5300.

    (This post, with a different headline, was first published here)

  • MPP Mondays (Part III): Careers after a Master’s in Policy or Public Administration

    This 3-part blog offers a quick insight into what a postgraduate public policy degree entails, a peek into the application process and finally, career options post this master’s. Read the first part here and the second part here. 

    Most candidates applying to MPP/MPA programs are so focused on the application process itself, that not enough attention is given to what happens once you graduate. And that’s when real life hits. Jobs are often in short supply, particularly for international students that have to also worry about visas.

    It is always a good idea to strategize about the job market and how to navigate this before making the decision to attend graduate school. Career trajectories post an MPP span the private sector, social or non profit world and government.

    In the private sector, consultant positions with the Big 4 are much sought after. Development consulting is a relatively new but rewarding space. Private companies, particularly in Big Tech, have public affairs/policy teams that work on thought leadership as well as government relations. MPP programs with a focus on data/quantitative train students to work in data analytics which are a growing trend in organizations that work with Big Data. Clean energy companies sometimes hire MPP graduates to work with them on navigating new markets or trends in this space.

    Apart from jobs with established firms, there are several fellowships and grants made available by large donors and philanthropic foundations to fund social impact innovation. Many who graduate from MPP programs go on to found a start-up serving base-of-pyramid consumers in developing countries using these grants, and eventually scaling to become self-sustainable.

    In the non-profit or social sector, there are a host of NGOs working at the grassroots level as well as internationally on issues such as climate change, human rights, clean energy, civil rights, urban planning and so on. Jobs with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) such as the United Nations or World Bank are in high demand. These INGOs have their own annual recruitment processes for hiring young professionals – this is usually very competitive with thousands of applicants vying for a few spots.

    Many MPP/MPA candidates come from the government sector and often return to work with governments in their respective countries. Increasingly, Ministries in India are hiring external consultants for research and knowledge creation. There are also government-affiliated think tanks and institutes where MPP-degree holders can find positions. These play an essential role in providing policy inputs to governments.

    Networking and growing connections is also an integral part of the graduate school experience and often a key reason why students want to study abroad. MPP programs usually offer a career services platform and help students acquire soft skills needed in the job search.

    This is a broad overview of different career paths one can go down post the MPP. It definitely helps to scan job search portals including Devex, DevNet and LinkedIn to get an idea of the kinds of roles available, and skills you need to start acquiring early on in your graduate school experience.