We are pleased to introduce Veterinary Nurse, Lawyer and University of New England Alumna, Michelle Neil.
Michelle overcame adversity through the friendships she made during her studies at UNE. Her passion for animal welfare and the environment are key drivers behind her many accomplishments. We are immensely proud of Michelle and hope her story can be used as a guide in building your own successes.
Enjoy the Q&A below.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and where you are from?
I am mature aged, commencing my study with UNE in 2015. I grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. I was raised in a high-control religion that did not allow its members to obtain higher education. As such, I finished high school at the end of year 10 and commenced a traineeship. I worked as a clerk for several years, before completing a certificate II to IV in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing. I have always been passionate about animals and animal welfare. I then worked as an animal attendant with Guide Dogs NSW and Queensland for just under two years, and then a veterinary nurse between 2004 to date. I still work as a koala veterinary nurse on a very casual basis while working as a lawyer. I have also worked as veterinary trainer and assessor - Cert IV in TAE - and nursing and practice manager for two large veterinary corporations. As a veterinary nurse, I worked with wildlife - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital - and in emergency.
Michelle working as a Veterinary Nurse.
My desire to become a lawyer stemmed from various places. Predominately from spending a large portion of my life in a high-control religion that practices strict shunning if you cease to be a 'member'. I left in 2011 and was shunned losing all my friends in the process, essentially starting again including living on someone's couch for two years. I suffered severe depression and anxiety during this time, and still do but less so as a result of being free of that organisation. As a result, I am passionate about being an advocate for others, especially women.
As a long-term veterinary nurse and someone who still works closely with wildlife, in particular koalas, I am also passionate about animal welfare and environmental issues. You become very overwhelmed seeing the trauma after the fact. So, on realising that the current laws and policies are grey or weak, I decided to do something that would allow me to make a difference.
I now work as a lawyer at Vitality Law Australia. While in my penultimate year at UNE, I started working as a volunteer, then paralegal at a reputable law firm on the sunshine coast, where I now live. I then progressed to a law graduate position and solicitor, before moving over to Vitality Law. My job change came from being inspired by my employer and sole director, Sarah Stoddart. She started her own firm in 2020, five months after having her first baby and in the middle of the COVID pandemic. She is passionate about doing law differently, is a wonderful mentor - who actually mentors -, and very well respected, by clients and others in the industry. Not many junior lawyers get to work from home, four days a week.
I have a husband who is a zookeeper at Australia Zoo - original as he has been there for 26 years - and two beautiful step children (now adults).
How long were you studying for? Did you study online?
Because I did not have a previous degree - or finish high school - and was a mature aged student, I started at UNE with the Criminology degree. On proving my capability, UNE allowed me to transfer to the 4-year law degree. Later, based on my marks, UNE offered me the unique opportunity to transfer to the 3-year law degree. As I needed to work while studying, my degree did take longer than required. I started my criminology degree in 2015 and completed my Bachelor of Laws 3 years in 2021, officially graduating on 10 December 2021.
My studies were 100% online. I went with UNE over a Queensland based or local university based on the reviews for online learning, my situation as a mature aged student, and because my cousin-in-law completed his law degree - online - through UNE.
You're still close with past classmate and fellow Alumna, Jenny Roytur. When and how did you meet Jenny?
Classmates Jenny Roytur & Michelle Neil.
We met online while studying Law101, back in 2017. We formed a study group with a few other students and most of us ended up staying in contact with each other throughout our studies. I still talk regularly to four other students who have all completed their law degree with UNE. We have honestly bared our souls, trouble, wins, and goals with each other and still help each other out. I assisted with the admission for one of these students.
How did your friendship help your studies?
It really helped. To discuss perspectives, share resources and knowledge, tutor if we had already completed the unit, prepare for exams together. When someone was feeling defeated, we would give them strength. All the students who have become friends are mature-aged, with families and young children, and also working. We could relate to each other and knew how to support each other.
Do you think friendships made at uni are any different to those made outside of studies?
They are unique in bonded experiences, so in that sense they are different.
Are you and Jenny still close?
Jenny is in Sydney and I am on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, so we do not get to meet in person often. However, of those of us who met during study, we are the closest and talk nearly every day.
Would you recommend students make friendships with their classmates?
Absolutely! Especially as more and more mature aged persons are studying and study is become more online focused. University is hard and law especially so. To find others who can uniquely relate to your studies and situation is a huge bonus. I believe it is also a means of success.
What excites you about your job?
Being part of a workplace that is passionate about doing law differently. Passionate about advocacy and in particular the health industry - to which I was a part of, even if in a different way. Passionate about 'being human', wanting me to 'love being a lawyer' and not feel overwhelmed given a large proportion of lawyers leave the industry in the first five years. My employer is easily available for questions and guidance and is also helping me network with the veterinary industry to realise my goals to advocate for this industry, an industry with the highest suicide rate amongst its professionals.
What have been your biggest achievements and challenges in your study journey? What has helped you along the way?
Working and studying with a family is definitely a challenge. Also, networking as a first-generation lawyer, of mature-age, with a background that is very different to the legal industry.
The relationships founded at UNE have helped with feelings of loneliness and overwhelm, as well as family who cheered me on and reminded me of my capability and strength.
My achievements have been earning 2 university awards as top student - Law in Context and Family Law, finishing my degree with a 6.06 GPA, and completing a UNE organised internship with the now retired Michael Holmes OAM.
Michelle at graduation.
What have you learnt about yourself through university?
That I am strong and capable. My upbringing made me shy, unconfident, and untrusting. My studies, experiences, and friends & family taught me that I can do great things and I want to inspire others. I also have ADHD - diagnosed as an adult, so I have learned acceptance and how I need to work with ADHD, although this is a continual learning process.
Did you study around hobbies, passions or volunteering?
Yes. All the above! I worked, sometimes two jobs while studying. I also completed my Certificate IV in TAE at the same time and volunteered as a paralegal with NPO the Animal Law Institute of Australia. I still work two jobs and volunteer - one casual - with the National Environmental Law Association as the National Memberships Officer and have been part of the establishment of a climate change working group that has drafted submissions which have been enacted into legislation.
Is there any advice you might offer to other uni students?
Michelle being admitted at the Supreme Court of QLD.
You do not have to settle for one career and it doesn't matter how old you are! If you always wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, nurse, scientist etc, then you should do it. Times have changed and are still changing and the opportunities are out there and universities like UNE are there to offer you these opportunities.
Also, network, network, and network. Don't be afraid to reach out to fellow students, teachers, the heads of faculty for support in networking.
In your opinion, what is the most challenging part for new law graduates?
The challenges change depending on the situation. Young new law graduates are facing a whole new working world. Mature-aged law graduates are facing a change of pace-career balanced with family. The law industry can be harsh, oversaturated, and not always meet your purpose - i.e. justice is sometimes subjective. Finding a good supervisor and-or mentor can also be hard. Lawyers may not be good teachers! So, if possible, reach out to law associations for added support.
