Durham College pairs Law Clerk student with alumna through Alumni Mentorship program

Durham College paired Law Clerk student Annandi Diaram with alumna Michelle Long through its Alumni Mentorship program, the college said Feb. 6.

The mentorship program connects current Durham College students with graduates from the same program. The college highlighted the Diaram–Long pairing in a Feb. 6 update as an example of how the program works.

Long graduated from Durham College’s Law Clerk program and is now Director, Governance and Corporate Secretary at Kinross Gold Corporation, according to the college.

Diaram said she entered the program looking for guidance from “someone who had walked a similar path.” “Michelle’s career trajectory confirmed that just because you go to school for a law clerk diploma does not mean you must only be a law clerk,” Diaram said.

Long said she became a mentor after receiving guidance early in her own career. “Twenty years ago, I had guidance from a working law clerk who helped me bridge the gap between studying in school and entering the workforce,” she said.

Durham College said its Law Clerk program includes classroom learning and two work-placement opportunities. The college also said the program offers paid co-op placements.

Nicole Doyle, the Law Clerk Program Coordinator, said the mentorship program helps connect students with graduates and exposes them to different career paths. “The mentorship program allows students to learn directly from graduates, see the wide range of career outcomes available, and build the networks and skills they need to hit the ground running after graduation,” Doyle said.

Durham College operates campuses in Oshawa and Whitby.