Susan goes from the musical stage to the magistrate's court

Born in Korea and raised in Melbourne, Susan Lee spent 17 years in London with her husband before returning to Brisbane two years ago to be closer to family and give her children a better quality of life.

However, after struggling to find steady work as a musician, Susan decided to change career and pursue her interest in the legal profession.

“I have friends in the legal industry who shared insights on its job security and encouraged me to study a subject related to law. So, I decided to learn something that interests me as well as earn a steady income,” Susan explained.

Before enrolling to study the Certificate IV in Justice Studies (10971NAT), her husband discovered the course was funded by Fee-Free TAFE, which made her decision to go into the legal profession easier.

Susan is saving thousands of dollars by using Fee-Free TAFE funding to study for her legal career, which is part of the Queensland Government’s Good People. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.

It aims to connect, educate, and attract the people needed to meet the state’s workforce demand in existing and new industry sectors and support continued economic growth.

With approximately 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training places available in 2024, the program will support Queenslanders to skill up to meet the state’s current and future workforce needs by enabling them to complete selected qualifications at no or low cost.

“The Justice Studies course was intensive but rewarding. It broke down complex legal concepts into digestible sections. The assignments were challenging, but the teachers provided so much support,” she explained.

The course expanded her knowledge and provided her with specialised skills for various roles in the justice system and a solid foundation to pursue further legal studies.

She cites the support from her teachers as being crucial to her success. “They were encouraging, shared personal industry experiences, and were patient with students who needed extra help,” she said.

“Their anecdotes helped us envision our future careers, and they gave individual attention to those falling behind.”

The course saw Susan develop essential skills in applying regulatory powers, analysing social justice issues, and understanding the legal framework. She also learned how to prepare court documentation and offer justice-related advice to clients.

Armed with foundational legal knowledge that helped her develop essential skills upon completing the course, her teacher, Stuart, encouraged her to pursue further studies in law.

She is now enrolled in a Juris Doctor program at university. “It had been 17 years since I last studied, so I was rusty with technology and writing essays.”

“But TAFE Queensland helped me get back into the rhythm of academic life, from research to public speaking. My TAFE Queensland teachers were very accommodating, which is very different from my current Juris Doctor degree,” she explained.

Now working as a Court Services Officer at Brisbane Magistrates Court while studying, Susan applies what she learned at TAFE Queensland daily.

“The course gave me a solid understanding of legal terminology, the hierarchy of courts, and the differences between criminal and civil law. It gave me the confidence to apply for and succeed in my current job.”

Her career aspirations are clear. “I hope to become a solicitor specialising in contracts once I’m admitted to practice. But I also enjoy working in government and am confident I can combine both in the future.”

With the confidence, skills, and knowledge, she envisions herself as a legal professional making a real difference - whether advocating for individuals, companies, or the government.

“TAFE Queensland offers the practical skills and knowledge needed to build a new career, and it’s been life-changing for me,” she concluded.