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Innovation trumps knowledge for grads
The ability to demonstrate innovation may overtake deep technical knowledge as a means of securing a graduate position, according to a LexisNexis director.
Lara Bullock
Speaking with Lawyers Weekly, LexisNexis Pacific's executive director – commercial and strategy Bree Moody said the skills graduates need to land a role are changing.
“Universities are now offering courses in legal futurism and legal entrepreneurship. My bet is that it will be the demonstrated innovators who take the lead in securing graduate roles, and not necessarily those with deep technical knowledge.”
Ms Moody said it is difficult to know exactly how to gain the necessary skills for the future.
“A combined degree with streams such as computer science or economics and commerce is certainly becoming a more favoured option by graduates. However, in speaking with firms, the expectation that a graduate can code, whilst welcomed, isn’t taking the centre stage for most valued skills,” she said.
“Firms are seeking well-rounded graduates, those high achievers with top marks, community-mindedness, great communicators and, of increasing importance, those who demonstrate commercial agility and a talent for creative thinking.”
In turn, after landing a graduate position, graduates want their firms to be at the forefront of flexibility and innovation.
“[Graduates want] firms connected with their clients and the systems and processes to enable responsiveness and world-class service,” she said.
“The relationship between the lawyer and the client is becoming much more personal and instant, less formal and rigid. Graduates expect seamless connectivity to the firm and the client, from work and home.”
