Some 70 participants comprising Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) alumni and students attended a career briefing organised by the university through the Office of Career Advancement and Industrial Networking (OCeAN), in collaboration with Hasnah Hassan and Associates law firm.
The event, titled ‘Career as a Practitioner of Syariah and Civil Law in Brunei Darussalam’, was held at UNISSA in Gadong.
It began with a presentation by senior lawyer and Managing Director Hajah Hasnah binti Hassan of Hasnah Hassan and Associates.
She shared her experience in the legal industry and emphasised the importance of integrity, respectful attitude and holding honest and sincere principles in every work matter. She also advised the participants not to be arrogant and always maintain good manners and work ethics.
In session two, the session provided a space for participants to ask facilitator Hajah Dayang Aziimah binti Haji Mohammad Hambali, who is a partner at Hasnah Hassan and Associates, questions.
Hajah Dayang Aziimah gave guidance on how to build the skills needed in the legal field.
She also emphasised the characteristics needed to be a good intern and stated that the mastery of technical and communication skills is important in a legal career.
She also emphasised the importance of getting out of the comfort zone in an effort to improve skills in the career field.
Syar’ie lawyer Muhammad Jafni Fakhrillah bin Haji Jabidi shared his personal experience before becoming a lawyer as well as his journey in dealing with legal cases and emphasised on not giving up in finding a job.
He believes that every challenge is an opportunity for someone to grow and improve themselves in the field they are engaged in and also gave advice to the participants on how to overcome challenges in a legal career. Among the main pieces of advice shared by him was “to show that you can do more than what is expected and give more than what is asked. Every challenge that comes in their career is an opportunity to learn and grow and don’t ever give up or think badly of the sustenance given”.
The career briefing aims to expose UNISSA alumni and students on the responsibilities, roles, and ethics as legal practitioners in the country. It also aims to attract the interest and increase the enthusiasm of alumni and students in choosing a career as a legal practitioner.
The briefing also serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, where the benefits include exposure to legal practices that can be used and adapted by participants in the profession. – Lyna Mohamad
