Postgraduate training helps lecturers develop
Jamie Korporaal, who started as a junior lecturer at Leiden Law School during her master's studies and has now joined the faculty as a lecturer, will start the Labour Law specialisation after the summer. She discusses her career and this postgraduate training course with Marije Schneider, lecturer in Labour Law.
From 'judo' to fully-fledged lecturer and Course Coordinator
‘Alongside my studies for my master's degree in labour law, I was working as a teaching and research assistant. We renamed that role as a junior lecturer (junior docent), shortened to 'judo', which sounds much more fun! I supported the Labour Law and Social Security department by teaching seminars, for example,’ Jamie recalls. Marije explains how it soon became clear that Jamie was a real asset to the department, and so she was keen to keep Jamie as a fully-fledged lecturer after she graduated.
‘Students keep on coming to Jamie's seminar – even in week five or six,’ Marije says. Smiling, Jamie adds that ‘it’s important to be approachable and to show that you enjoy teaching, because students then participate with more enthusiasm. It’s important to seek that connection in order to ensure that students gain knowledge. After all, as a lecturer, you’re not there because you already know the subject matter – you’re there because they don't know it yet.’
'If you really enjoy teaching and connecting with students, there's no better job'
Next step: labour law specialisation
In September, Jamie will start the postgraduate specialisation course in labour law. Jamie: ‘I’ve got the basics right, so now it’s time to go deeper. That will also benefit teaching and education.’
Marije says that the postgraduate labour law course is a specialisation developed specifically for lawyers with experience in labour law. ‘We build on knowledge already acquired and go into much more depth over the course of 20 modules. That’s why you need to have a good level of basic knowledge already, as well as practical experience of labour law following approximately three years' work experience.’
What makes Leiden University's specialisation programme in labour law so unique is how it addresses current topics and the combination with practical experience. Marije adds: ‘We offer a good mix of lecturers from both academia and the practical field, so topics are approached from a variety of perspectives. In addition, a course day comprises two day sessions: one in the afternoon and one in the evening. This means that participants don’t have to put their regular work activities on hold. We have dinner together before the evening session begins, which strengthens bonds within the group and creates connections that continue to be valuable after the training has ended. There’s also space for current affairs, such as transgressive behaviour. That allows participants to both enhance their knowledge and remain up to date with what’s happening right now.’
Leiden Law Academy
The Leiden Law Academy offers legal postgraduate education for attorneys and other legally trained or legally oriented professionals at various locations throughout the Netherlands. The courses on offer range from topical lectures to skills training and specialisation courses. The Leiden Law Academy links the latest insights from research to practice. The lecturers provide academic depth and clarify the context in which professionals are active. Many courses provide training credits that are officially recognised by affiliated professional associations (e.g. NOvA, NiRV, NVR, NVvA, LRGD, NRGD, ABAN, GAIA, KNMG).
Click here for more information about the Leiden Law Academy