BCL Clinical PROFILE Jennifer Hourihane
My third year at UCC began in a Cork law firm (Ronan Daly Jermyn) working in litigation - an element of the law in practice that simply cannot be grasped from academic course modules. From meeting clients to attending court I got to experience the working day of a solicitor and got a glimpse of how the courts system works. After Christmas I packed my bags (and snow boots!) to move to Luxembourg to begin my second placement with the law firm Bonn Schmitt Steichen. Here I worked in a diverse environment with lawyers from every corner of the globe. I gained an active insight into the international corporate world, while living and working in a foreign country. This was certainly a second term with a difference! All of this inspired me for my final year of study and brought my career aspirations into focus. I believe choosing the BCL Clinical has provided me with a perfect springboard to kick-start my career in law.
BCL Clinical PROFILE Kieran O’Sullivan
“The greatest benefits you will get from the programme are the ones that you least expect. The workplace experience gives you an opportunity to test your aptitude for a career in law. What is more, I have developed the skills and self confidence that will further my career prospects in a truer way than I had anticipated.
BCL International PROFILE Feena Tobin
My time as a UCC BCL (International) student incorporated a year at Charles University in Prague which was certainly the highlight of my degree. Upon realising that I was not interested in pursuing a professional legal qualification, and given that I had my own Irish radio show on Cork Campus Radio, I decided upon the slightly alternative career path of broadcasting. I discovered a course in Broadcasting in Irish, run by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (NUIG), based in Carraroe Co Galway. I had a great year and studied Media Law as one of my subjects which was a nice continuation of my law studies! I am now about to commence a training scheme in Belfast in TV Production in Irish, and will be based with the BBC NI. My UCC law degree has contributed greatly to my knowledge of current affairs and international issues, both of which are hugely relevant to broadcasting. The year abroad particularly helped me to decide upon my future plans and undoubtedly, the extra year as an undergraduate was of great benefit to me. Beir bua éinne atá ag smaoineamh faoi chéim sa dlí.
PROFILE Aoife Horgan BCLF
Owner Operator of PR Boutique, PR Firm. Dublin
Having completed my degree in Law and French in UCC, I went on to achieve a Masters in Marketing from the UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business. I then worked in marketing for Friends First and Coty and using my varied experience, set up a public relations company specialising in fashion and beauty, The PR Boutique. I currently look after a range of international and Irish clients including Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Sunshimmer, Dublin Festival of Fashion and Trilogy skincare.
My work is very diverse and ranges from managing press launches and organising photoshoots to co-ordinating interviews with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé Knowles and I find that the skills I learned in law have helped me to succeed in my chosen field. Law gives you an excellent foundation that will benefit you in any career path, it is a highly regarded discipline which gives you the edge in an increasingly competitive job market.
PROFILE James Creedon BCLF
Journalist and News Reader, France 24, Paris.
James works for the international News TV station France24 as a news reader and journalist and is based in Paris. James hosts the popular daily reviews of the French and International press each morning as well as contributing to the website.
“Having a degree in Law and French has proved invaluable to me as a journalist. I am able to apply my legal education to breaking news stories as well as being in a position to use my french every day.”
