Rick Knowles

Masters of Employment and Labour Relations Law

Human Resources Consultant, Blackwood Springs Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia

What is your professional education and work background?
I have an Arts degree and a post-graduate degree in Management. My professional career has been spent mostly in manufacturing in the human resources/industrial relations arena. Latterly, I have worked in my own consultancy business specialising in workplace relations mostly in the construction industry.

How did you come about studying with Melbourne Law School?
When I first thought about undertaking a Masters I did not think past the Melbourne Law School.

Describe your experience of studying in the Melbourne Law Masters.

What have been the highlights so far?
The diversity of the students undertaking the program and the quality of the teaching staff has been exceptional. To get access to people with such knowledge and experience is rare. The access to research material has been terrific. And my results have surprised me.

What have you enjoyed most?
The opportunity to learn in a formalised yet informal way that fitted into my lifestyle. I have enjoyed the intellectual stimulation and challenges the subjects provided.

How have you found our teaching staff?
The teaching staff have been exceptional. I did not feel at any time that they did not care about the subject or the value of the subject matter and the importance of their students. To have access to local and international faculty has been exceptional. I have learnt so much from them. The mix of academics and teachers who work in their field has been great. I was also helped greatly by staff who provided assistance in legal writing and research.

Why did you choose to undertake the subjects you did? Were they particularly relevant to your field of work, believed they would fulfill a passion in that area etc.?
I chose the subjects because they were relevant to my work in industrial relations and because of an inherent interest in the subject matter. I also chose some subjects that were outside of my area of expertise but which intrigued me. I have been very pleased with the subject choice.

What networking opportunities has the Melbourne Law Masters provided you with?
I have met a number of interesting people and keep in touch with some.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I work mostly with small business and I enjoy helping them to understand their compliance requirements and providing answers to their problems.

How do you think your studies will help you in your current role and in the future?
I have a much greater understanding of the law as it relates to the workplace plus a more definitive approach to way in which I provide advice. I am certain that a Masters in Law from the University of Melbourne is held in high regard by the business community which will in turn open doors.

What if anything, surprised you about studying with us?
I am older than most of the students undertaking the Masters, but this has never been an issue for anyone other than me. I was concerned at the start but this soon faded after day one of the first subject. I have never felt as if I was an outsider because of my age. But most of all I got better marks than I ever expected.

I undertook this program because I always wanted to have a law degree but had never got around to it for one reason or another. But I did not want to go through life thinking "if only I had of completed that course". Life should not be about "if only's". If I hadn't have started back in 2009 I would not be finishing now and not saying "If only I had started that back in 2009". I will miss it.