A law career enriched by experience

Marzena Fordonska returned to study at VU to gain her Graduate Diploma of Migration Law, and discovered it was just the beginning of her legal career. She shares how she’s made this successful career change, and tells us about her dedication to helping others and how she’s thriving with VU’s revolutionary learning model.

“Eight years ago I came to Australia on a student visa, having already completed my bachelor degree in physiotherapy in my birth country of Poland. I planned to get my full registration, when I got a job at a migration agency. I found it so rewarding to see people’s dreams come true every day that I decided to become a migration agent.

VU was my first choice as it offered one of the few migration law courses recognised by industry body Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Meeting people who studied at VU, they all had positive experiences, which I soon found out for myself.

During classes we discussed topics freely, and we were taught using real scenarios by experienced, practising migration lawyers.

The migration law course had the options of remote (online) and face-to-face learning. I found it more convenient to study online, particularly living in Queensland. After first semester we decided to relocate our family to Melbourne. They are a great support for me – our family works as a team and we’ve learned how important it is to have each other.

The workplace learning opportunities at VU are priceless – I did my placement with one of the best-known law firms in Melbourne, participating in real cases."

Motivation to continue with the law

"My placement was so inspiring, in fact, that I decided to continue my studies to become a lawyer, with VU’s Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry).

After completing two other degrees, I am absolutely convinced VU’s Block Model is the greatest possible study method. It is intense, but focusing only on one subject at a time makes it more efficient and manageable.

Using my previous qualifications (Bachelor of Business Management, and Master in Human Resources) and since gaining registration as migration agent, I started my own migration law business. It is rewarding to have so many happy clients, and I recently started a cooperation with migration law experts in Sydney including lawyers.

I look forward to getting my law degree in a few months and completing the requirements to be admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court, so I can use my new skills in future cases and offer a wider range of services to support my clients.”