As a little girl, Fatima always thought she’d become a doctor. It was only as an adult that she decided to follow a long-held curiosity about law, and realised what a powerful impact she could have in the field.
As a child, Fatima recalls being “very shy and quiet” and “fascinated by the sciences”. In high school, she took mostly STEM subjects, and went on to complete a Bachelor of Science at McMaster University in her home of Ontario, Canada.
“As someone who has always been fascinated by the intricacy of the human body and its functions, I chose to major in biology, which I loved dearly,” Fatima said.
Fatima had always imagined she would go into the medical field, and throughout her undergraduate degree, she seemed to be heading in that very direction. However, contrary to her own expectations, she ended up choosing another path.
“Although I studied pre-med, I have always been open to various learning opportunities, and even took up subjects in ethics and economics in undergrad,” Fatima said. “I have always been curious about law. I guess that curiosity never really went away, and after graduating university with a science degree, I ended up applying for law school as well.”
“Law has always been an abstract field for me. I guess it was this mysteriousness that drew me to law and kept me curious about it,” Fatima mused. “Though the impact you make may not seem as obvious as when a physician helps a patient, the reach is further. The law is something you cannot escape. It is part of our daily lives. The laws we encounter now and the changes we make will affect future generations and ensure that fairness and equality prevail in our communities. I chose to pursue law when I recognised the injustices that people suffer. I would like to be an advocate who informs the people of their rights.”
“I chose Melbourne Law School (MLS) because it was one of the only, if not the only, university that strongly encouraged those without a legal background (or traditional pre-law background) to apply, which was very welcoming.”
This openness also suggested a diverse and vibrant cohort, which was exactly what Fatima was hoping for.
“I wanted to be surrounded by diversity, and people coming from different backgrounds – I felt that it would allow me to learn so much! It also eased my worries about not having legal experience or a legal background; it was a reassurance that I would be able to learn what I needed to learn to become a competent lawyer without falling behind my peers.”
Having just completed her first year of the JD program at Melbourne Law School, Fatima enjoyed participating in a negotiation competition held by the Melbourne University Law Students’ Society (MULSS), and in the Law, Design & Tech Pop-Up, where she “learned the potential of AI in assisting in the legal field”. On her own time, she volunteered with Refugee Legal.
But her favourite experience as a student at Melbourne has been “meeting people from various countries, ethnicities and walks of life.”
She expressed gratitude for the warm welcome she’s encountered at Melbourne Law School.
“What I love about studying at MLS is that upper-year JD students are so friendly and willing to help us first years all the time. I would often reach out to them whenever I am confused with something or need help in a subject.”
Participating in the MLS Mentor Program as a mentee was also a great way to get advice from alumni and older students.
“My mentor assured me that everything would fall into place, and even went as far as introducing me to her colleagues in a different field of law, so that I would have the opportunity to explore the various fields available to JD candidates once we finish the program,” Fatima said.
Fatima also knew she could consult older students for wide-ranging tips and advice on such matters as “exams, lecture notes, how to do well in a certain professor’s class, how each professor teaches differently and who would be most suitable with the way I learn, which electives are ‘fun’ and would suit my interests.”
“My mentors have also advised that though it may seem like a lot of our peers know exactly where they would like to go and what they would want to do, it is not a disadvantage to be ‘unsure’. In other words, we should be open to learning – this way we would get to experience the various sides of law and life and we would get to choose which ones fit us best.”
Although she has an inkling that she might like to blend her science background with her new legal knowledge, Fatima plans to keep her options open.
“I hope to be able to practice or do research in a field that bridges the gap between health science and law. Although that’s where my interests predominantly lie, I am very keen on learning all fields of law if possible – so, just as my mentors have advised me, I’m not closing any doors.”
Taking a stab at doling out some advice of her own, Fatima encouraged future JD students to “be courageous and willing to learn”.
“Even if you are not from the traditional pre-law background and you don’t have legal experience, as long as you are determined and willing to learn and put in the work, you will do fine. Do not lose the curiosity within you. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Nothing is impossible if you are willing to learn.”
Finally, and most importantly, “Always be kind! Law school is a competitive environment and may even seem cut-throat. Often, it feels suffocating, and the pressure is insane. Surround yourself with good friends and peers who will help you and support you. It makes the journey worthwhile!”
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