The benefits of Breadth law

Aidan Clarke does not want to be a lawyer but he can still see the benefits of undertaking the Breadth program's law stream throughout his undergraduate studies at the University of Melbourne.

Aidan Clarke

Breadth student Aidan Clarke

In the final year of his Bachelor of Environments, in which he is majoring in construction, the 20-year-old is taking both Principles of Business Law and Corporate Law.

He said the coursework complemented the work he does for a construction company during semester breaks, a cadetship-type role involving entry-level tasks such as contract formation and administration.

"It is helpful for where I want to be; it is quite a litigious industry so it is good to have an understanding of what everything means, such as  law writing, especially contracts- all of our work is based on what the contracts say," Aidan said.

"It has made me mindful of when the contract is formed and discharged, our obligations and the obligations of our sub-contractors."

His first taste of studying law came when he undertook some entry-level law classes as a high school student.

When he chose to major in construction, it made sense to continue following his interest in the legal side of business.

"It is good to do Corporate Law as part of Breadth as it is providing a good skill set and knowledge base for the law behind the operation of one's business, especially on the particulars of its operation, like changing the constitution, members' rights, and directors' duties," he said.

"The last is especially important if I am to be running my own business one day."

"You get that understanding with Breadth; it is interesting, it is helpful, and it is going to be directly beneficial in my line of work."

Following undergraduate studies, students are able to continue their interest by undertaking either the full Master of Construction Law or single subjects.

Visit either the Breadth or Master of Construction Law website for more information.

By Andy Walsh