LEARN WITH MATURE STUDENTS IN A MATURE ENVIRONMENT
While most students at George Brown College finish final exams and breathe a sigh of relief, paralegal certificate students face the added challenge of a licensing exam. However, says one graduate, this continuing education program’s hands-on learning approach, collegial atmosphere and experienced instructors are the ideal combination for success.
“George Brown’s instructors, administration and program director really focus on and appreciate that students have to write the exam, and give us the skills and capabilities to do that,” says John Quaggin of the preparation for the exam by the Law Society of Upper Canada, which, in Ontario, regulates the profession.
Having graduated in April 2014 and written the licensing exam three months later, Quaggin says the program not only exposes students to the areas of law in which paralegals practice, but also ensures students grasp concepts such as ethical obligation to clients through interactive methods.
“Students are continuously given the opportunity to provide representation on the basis of fictitious scenarios,” Quaggin says of the offering’s mock trials. “This helps with advocacy, research and drafting skills while offering real constructive criticism from teachers, many of whom are senior practitioners.”
The program spans topics such as administrative law, the evidence and litigation process, torts and contracts, and legal accounting, and includes a field placement. But Quaggin says professionalism starts well before placement.
“What is interesting and distinguishes George Brown is that we’re talking about mature students in a mature environment,” he says. “To combine student interaction with like-minded mature students and the ability to approach instructors was a tremendously valuable experience.”
Quaggin, who is a private practitioner focusing on small claims court and the landlord and tenant board, credits the community environment to his post-graduate success.
“One of its greatest benefits is that the program provided me an opportunity to familiarize myself and establish relationships with other mature students,” he says. “The people I met have been an ongoing resource as I establish myself and serve my clients.”
For more, visit georgebrown.ca.