From Volunteer to Career: Brandon’s Path in Community Law

During National Volunteer Week, we’re sharing volunteer experiences, featuring personal accounts and highlighting how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.

Read about Brandon’s Journey: From Volunteer to Career.

What first drew you to volunteer with Circle Green, and how did that experience shape your career path? 

What first drew me to volunteer with Circle Green was the opportunity to speak to a couple of the team members at a Career and Opportunity Fair organised at Curtin. The people I talked to had such positive things to say about their experience and colleagues, that it felt like it was the perfect fit for me. Being able to work alongside such amazing and friendly people while delivering an important service to the community was instantly appealing to me.  

That’s what led me to apply through Circle Green’s website and select my preferred stream, Humanitarian! This positive impression was reinforced during my interview with HR and the lead Intake Officer, who offered valuable insight into the role and the work Circle Green does. Although the idea of being a part of such an important service was daunting at first, the interview gave me a clear understanding of what the role involved and the support I’d receive. 

So, when I found out I’d been selected as an Intake and Triage Volunteer, I was so excited to get started, knowing there’d be a lot to learn.

Volunteering with Circle Green is the single best opportunity I’ve taken whilst studying law and is the reason I have my current position.

After six months of volunteering, I was offered a position as a Legal Administrative Assistant. Being recognised for the work I had contributed and being given the chance to become a bigger part of the team, was very satisfying. I’m so proud to be working for an organisation like Circle Green, and I look forward to taking everything I’ve learnt here with me in my future endeavours in the legal profession. 

How did your perspective on community legal work change after becoming a staff member? 

My experience volunteering and working for Circle Green has provided me with insight into the important work done by Community Legal Centres. Moving from a volunteer to a staff member broadened my perspective and introduced me to the possibility of community legal work as a career.  

When choosing to study law, I always knew that I’d someday want to use my personal and professional skills to help people who may be disadvantaged in their access to legal services. What I didn’t realise at the time was just how many opportunities there are to do that, and what that involves.  

Community legal work is truly unique. You’re entrusted with assisting people who otherwise may not be able to access such critical legal advice. Whether you’re the first point of contact or delivering the advice to the client, every step plays a meaningful role.  It wasn’t until I became a staff member and part of the larger team that I truly understood how many individuals are involved in providing such important advocacy and advice. Being a staff member at Circle Green helped me realise just how much teamwork and dedication are needed for community legal work. It’s these realisations that made me interested in continuing my journey further into community legal work. 

Can you share a moment during your volunteer time that helped confirm this was the right career for you? 

What made me realise that community legal work was the right career for me, were the interactions I had with several clients. Hearing people’s stories and trying to gather as much information as possible can be quite challenging when you’re just starting out. 

One moment that confirmed how important this sort of work is, and encouraged me to continue in future, was when a client simply thanked me for listening. They were so appreciative to finally have someone hear their story and begin helping them access the information they required. When I first began volunteering, I doubted whether I was doing a good job or if I had the necessary skills.

That simple expression of gratitude reassured me, not just that I was capable, but that my contribution made a difference.  

In my current position as a Legal Administrative Assistant, I continue to have similar moments like this where people are so grateful to have any sort of assistance, and above all, for being heard. These moments reinforce that I’ve chosen the right career, and that the work I’m doing at Circle Green is important to the community. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Circle Green, head to the Volunteer page to submit an expression of interest.