Why Networking is Important During Your Master’s of Law in International Dispute Resolution

Networking can help you get more from your LLM degree

Deciding to take the step of pursuing an LLM in International Dispute Resolution is an excellent career move that will help you reach your short-term and long-term professional goals. Once you begin your course, you want to be sure to take advantage of all of the opportunities it has to offer – including those off the syllabus.

One activity that increases the payoff of your LLM degree is professional networking. Contrary to popular belief, networking is not just a task for professionals in the workplace or at industry events. Postgraduate education is also an important place for networking, as it provides a variety of potential benefits. Keep reading to learn more about why networking during your LLM degree is so important to your continued success as a legal professional. 

Networking Can Help You Meet Peers and Employers

Establishing a strong and broad network is essential for any legal professional. While you may have already laid the foundation for this network before beginning your Master’s of Law in International Dispute Resolution, forming professional relationships with those studying and working in your newfound speciality is critical.

Even though you are studying online, you will still have the opportunity to connect digitally with talented legal professionals that are learning alongside you, as well as your experienced and dedicated tutors. Prioritising forming relationships with these individuals will help you develop your career during your education, not just after it.

Networking is a great way to meet your peers, potential employers, and aspirational figures

Build Your Brand as You Study for a Master’s of Law in International Dispute Resolution

As you develop the knowledge and skills required for a more specialised legal career, developing a professional brand will become increasingly important. Whether you want to market yourself to potential employers on the job market, or to potential clients as an entrepreneurial legal professional, building a brand will help you make a positive and memorable first impression.

Networking can be an important pillar of your professional brand development. As you introduce yourself to new people it’s important to have a solid online presence –a LinkedIn profile and a professional website, for instance. You can refer them to these pages for follow-up conversations and information and this is  beneficial in building your professional network and your brand, especially with the global connections you will make during your international dispute resolution university course.

Build a strong online brand through your digital networking efforts

Practising Networking at University Prepares You to do it During Your Career

Finally, at the very least, your networking efforts during your LLM can serve as a lower-pressure, smaller-scale trial run of the networking activities you will need to continue throughout your career. As an LLM student, you will be able to practise networking with other students who have a similar level of experience to you.

You may even decide to work together with your classmates to improve your networking skills with peer feedback and constructive criticism. By taking networking seriously as you study toward your LLM in International Dispute Resolution, you will be laying the foundation for developing your professional network for the rest of your career.

Do you want to know more about how to succeed during an LLM degree?

Contact Queen Mary Online to learn how students thrive in our online programme in international dispute resolution.