Degree affirms law career for Gympie graduate

Having a career in law was always going to be the case for Callum Lee of Gympie, who officially graduated from USC last week.

Callum, who received a combined Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning), is now working as a conveyancing paralegal for Life Law Solutions at Maroochydore.

“I was offered a job in a law firm in Gympie on the day I left Year 12 in 2011 (after being school captain of Cooloola Christian College), and I haven’t stopped working for law firms since,” said the 24-year-old.

“At Life Law Solutions, I work in residential and commercial conveyancing transactions, and assist with family, estate planning and estate administration matters which have a property focus.”

Callum said he was enjoying applying what he learned during his degree.

“I love using the technical skills I have to solve problems for people. It’s critical to understand how a person’s legal position impacts their financial position and vice versa.

“This is big picture thinking and I’m fortunate to have current and past mentors who encourage me to ask questions.

“Law is challenging – it can be a shield to protect with and a sword to fight with – and nobody’s issues are the same as the last person you spoke to. That’s where skill comes in.”

USC has been a career launch pad for four other members of the Gympie-raised Lee family.

Mother Janet, who won a Queensland Literary Award in 2017 for a draft novel, has a USC Doctor of Creative Arts; sister Jessica, now studying a PhD in Sydney, has a USC Biomedical Science degree; sister Hannah, a teacher in Mackay, has a USC degree in Secondary Education and Business; and brother Thomas is currently studying Secondary Education and Arts at USC.

“I loved the vibe of USC, the people I met, and how easy-going the campus was,” said Callum.

“I have made an incredible swathe of friends across different degrees and backgrounds at USC and I’m already engaging with some in a professional capacity.”

He was president (two years) and treasurer (two years) of the USC Law Students’ Association, involved with the Student Guild, and a student ambassador.

He was selected in late 2017 to travel to Japan with the Australian team contesting the prestigious Intercollegiate Negotiation Competition, after winning an international negotiation competition in 2016 in India with another USC student, David Knobel.

Applications are open to study at USC, starting Semester 2.