Robert Russo
What are your main responsibilities or activities in your current position?
I teach courses in the LLMCL program at the Allard Law School. I also teach in the JD program at the law school. I have designed and taught online law courses for Allard's Distance Learning program.
How does your current work relate to your graduate degree?
My work is directly related to my LLM and Phd. Aspects of international human rights law, contract law, torts labour law and many other areas are incorporated into my current teaching.
What do you like and what do you find challenging about your current position?
I enjoy the creativity in designing new courses and also the ability to teach the material to students. Every year represents a new challenge.
Is your current career path as you originally intended?
YES.
What motivated you to pursue graduate work at UBC?
I was motivated to pursue graduate legal studies at UBC by the quality of the supervision. My PhD supervisor is an internationally recognized expert and leader in her field of law. I also worked with her in the past and found her to be extremely supportive and encouraging.
What did you enjoy the most about your time as a graduate student at UBC?
I enjoyed attending many national and international conferences where I got to listen to very interesting presentations and be exposed to some ground-breaking research. I very much enjoyed meeting and networking with other graduate students and professionals at these conferences, and I found the connections that I made have lasted beyond my studies and have proven invaluable in my career.
What key things did you do, or what attitudes or approaches did you have, that contributed to your success?
I try to avoid too much stress. I find that by planning things through, most of the stress in graduate studies can be avoided. Some unexpected situations that are unavoidably stressful, so I often use meditation or exercise to keep my focus on my goals.
What is your best piece of advice for current graduate students preparing for their future careers?
Choose a career that you don't hate. It sounds simple, but many students do not think through their career choices and simply calculate their career options on the basis of perceived income. You do not have to love your jobs, but if you like them you will last much longer and in the long run be better off financially. I would also advise choosing a career that gives you a sense of satisfaction in having accomplished something meaningful to you in your life.
Did you have any breaks in your education?
I had a five-year break between my first undergraduate degree and my law degree. It was a planned break, which allowed me to try out other career opportunities. In the end it was a great choice, as I returned to school much more enthusiastic and with some additional experience that proved helpful in my studies. I would encourage anyone to take a break and to not feel that they are under pressure to complete multiple programs in quick succession.
How did you find out about/obtain your current position?
Allard Law School posting.
How are jobs normally posted and filled in your organization or industry?
Public service job listings on the internet.