skip to main content
Julian Burnside
Julian Burnside
00:49

Julian Burnside

Melbourne, Victoria AUS

"No matter what job you go into, when you're at the bottom end, you're not going to be developed and noticed as an individual; you're just getting good at what you're doing."

Career Roadmap

Julian's work combines: Law, Non-Profit Organizations, and Upholding a Cause and Belief

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Human Rights Lawyer

I'm a lawyer practicing principally in commercial litigation, trade practices and administrative law.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Economics, General

    Monash University

  • Graduate Degree

    Law

    Monash University

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Says of his life's work, "It's all been fun"; from minor criminal cases to arguing in the Australian Supreme Court, he's enjoyed his profession.

  • 2.

    Wasn't sure what he wanted to do, went to study law at Monash University because that's what his girlfriend's brother was doing.

  • 3.

    Wanted to be a management consultant so he switched to an economics degree, then someone suggested he become a barrister.

  • 4.

    Believes that "if your mind is prepared, opportunities will tap you on the shoulder, and you'll recognize the right one."

  • 5.

    Stresses that anyone working an entry-level job isn't necessarily going to be valued as an individual, but they're learning crucial skills.

  • 6.

    Says you can't work a job for 10 minutes and wonder why you're not being taken seriously-you have to put your time in, like everyone else.

  • 7.

    Especially passionate about refugees and asylum seekers because he hates to see injustice, in any form.

  • 8.

    Says he had to put in years of learning how to be a good lawyer in general before he could be taken seriously as a human rights lawyer.