Making a case for unexpected opportunities
Starting with limited experience, Herra Rodrigo shaped her career path through persistence and reframing any experience as an opportunity to grow.
Third-year Legal Studies student, Herra Rodrigo, leaped from a health care setting to courtrooms, creating meaningful connections while shaping her path toward a career in law.
Herra’s co-op journey
Administrative Assistant, Parkview, Stouffville, ON
At the nursing home, Herra balanced reception duties while going through the company’s health-care policies to make sure they were up to date and accurate.
Legal Assistant/Intern, Romano Law Office, Etobicoke, ON
Herra organized legal paperwork to prepare powers of attorney (POA) and wills. She transcribed recordings or live speeches from lawyers and clients to accurately track statements. She also attended court sessions to take detailed notes and relay any forgotten or missed information to attorneys.
Legal Assistant, Blakes, Cassels & Graydon, Toronto, ON
She did administrative work for this corporate law firm including expenses and paperwork, while gaining hands‑on experience in drafting retainer agreements.
Q&A with Herra
What did you learn from the challenges you faced in your co-op journey?
“Being in Arts, specifically in Legal Studies, it can be hard to find relevant job experiences. Before my first co-op term, the only work experience I had was doing administrative work for an accounting firm and working as a server at McDonald's. I found it challenging to get interviews and I was worried I wouldn’t find a co-op.”
“I finally got a match in cycle three but I was still a little sad because I wanted to get something super relevant to my program and didn’t want to work somewhere that wouldn’t push me forward. However, my mindset shifted after working at that retirement home as I got to do legal policies, which helped me get co-ops in the following terms.”
“I learned to be perseverant. Some students make the mistake of dropping out of the co-op stream before they get the chance to work somewhere related to their career aspirations. If I had given up, I would never have landed Blakes. Looking back, I’m glad I took a chance on an opportunity that wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned.”
What has been the most rewarding thing about your co-op experience?
“The people I’ve met have always been the best part of my co-op terms. It was a great experience to have the patients recognize my face when they came in to visit their families. That’s the most rewarding part; making a small difference in someone’s day just by being nice and smiling.”
“On top of the heartwarming values this brought me, my connections helped my networking. I hope to pursue corporate law, so it’s been great to have the opportunity to talk to experienced law professionals. Students might not want to bother people in higher positions, but everyone is always happy to say hi, stop and have a coffee. They can answer so many questions to help guide you, which has benefited me.”
“I also found a mistake in our paperwork for this one case, which I brought up with my lawyer as it seemed relevant and would help our client. My employer was very impressed that I was able to depict that detail, which made me very proud of myself.”
What would you say is your proudest co-op achievement?
“Getting my second legal assistant job was an accomplishment on its own. I feel so lucky because there aren't a lot of big corporate firms that hire co-op students.”
“I originally wanted to be in school during the fall term, so I only applied for one job. I told myself if I did not get the position at Blake’s, I would just stay in school. I wasn’t even expecting to get an interview and when I did, I was not expecting to get the job. When I found out they chose me, I remember thinking, ‘I guess I am switching my stream’ and it was so worth it!”
“Taking a chance on yourself can open unexpected doors. Even when the odds feel uncertain, reaching for opportunities and putting yourself out there is always worth it.”
What skill have you been able to develop during your work terms?
“I learned to figure things out on my own before asking for help."
"Legal writing is a little bit harder than what people set it out to be so to help me navigate this I relied on the hundreds of previous documents as examples and reference points whenever I was unsure how to approach a task.”
“For instance, when I was drafting policies, instead of asking for help, I would take a look at a similar document to try to replicate the same format myself and better understand how everything was structured.”
What's next for you?
“I'm planning to write my Law School Admission Test (LSAT) this year, which is a standardized test you need to write to get into law school."
"I hope to go to law school somewhere in Ontario and then hopefully one day be a lawyer in a transactional role. For now, I’m focused on taking the next step towards that goal.”