How Lachlan managed a career change & newborn baby

While working for a government agency after completing a degree in arts and gender studies, Lachlan was exposed to the legal world and found that it sparked his interest. Five years later he decided to take his interest to the next level and applied for a law degree with VU.

"I grew up in a family where there's no lawyers, no real interaction with that world whatsoever. I landed a quasi-legal job by a fluke doing temp work and ended up really enjoying it. I threw everything into it and a couple of years later I wound up at VU.

I did something very silly in deciding to have a daughter in the middle of my degree. At one point I was working two jobs, one in the VU library, while parenting a two-month-old, and undertaking a full course load.

There was lots of referencing late at night with a baby sleeping on my lap!

I'm kind of surprised I'm here in one piece! But I have a supportive partner and a really good job now that has that balance.

It's an advantage being a mature age student. I just hit 30 and I think VU is particularly well suited for people that are returning to study.

I think because of VU's size relative to other universities, it’s easier to take part in things and get enmeshed in the culture. I've been to several universities and VU was the one that was most accessible in terms of the people. You become on a first name basis with the lecturers, which was an element I really liked.

I've never worked so hard for anything in my life. I felt like VU was a place where that level of dedication was rewarded."

Lachlan's journey

Lachlan studied the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry).

Lachlan was awarded the Supreme Court Prize for top law graduates in Victoria for 2020.

Lachlan now holds a position at Comcare, working in claims management and related legal roles until he obtains his practicing certificate. He says once his daughter begins school, he may apply for the bar.