Unlike their younger peers, one mature-age law student has revealed that many who start later in life often lack the support, social connections, and community networks that can ease the journey, leaving them feeling isolated as they navigate the legal profession.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Protégé Podcast, Melissa Rowlands, a family law paralegal completing her juris doctor, highlighted the lack of support for mature-age law students and called for stronger measures to assist those starting their legal careers later in life.
In the same episode, she provided an in-depth look at the unique challenges faced by those entering the legal profession later in life.
Drawing from her own journey, Rowlands revealed that mature-age law students often face gaps in support, struggling to form social connections and find a sense of community within the legal field.
“I do feel like there’s a gap. Maybe I’ve missed it. Maybe there are great programs out there that I haven’t found, but I haven’t really found them,” she said.
Navigating this reality, Rowlands explained how it has pushed her to create her own opportunities and actively forge her own professional connections.
“I think at my stage of life, you’ve really got to create your own opportunities and look to build your own connections,” she said.
While programs run by universities, law societies, and graduate initiatives are well-regarded, Rowlands pointed out that they often cater primarily to younger students entering straight from high school or undergraduate studies, leaving mature-age students on the margins.
“Those programs through university, law societies and the young graduate programs, they’re amazing. But I do often feel I can’t quite relate, or like I don’t quite fit,” she said.
“It would be great to see more support for [mature-aged law students].”
Rowlands stressed the importance of initiatives that truly address the realities of mature-age students, providing not just community, but also tailored support to navigate the unique challenges they face compared with their younger peers.
“[I would love to see] opportunities to connect social connections to help us find each other, and also even workshops on things like how to balance, how to do the juggle, how to manage your time, how to stay mindful and not be overwhelmed,” she said.
“Because you do hear a lot of that kind of support for law students. But it’s very different when you’ve got family, and you’ve got all of these things going on in your life.”
She added: “I’d certainly be jumping on those opportunities. I think that’d be really great. To connect with other people like me would be wonderful.”
