International Children's Rights (Advanced Master Programme)

Year 1

Career perspectives

Career orientation

Career preparation in the Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights (LLM)

In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development. 'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.

2. Transferable skills
   These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.

But also think of job application skills: preparing a CV, formulating a cover letter, compiling a LinkedIn profile, networking, practising job interviews, preparing and holding a pitch.

3. Self-reflection
   This involves reflecting on your own (study) career (choices), reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Gaining insight into, among other things, your competences and personality, your (work) values and motives. what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
   Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?

4. Practical experience
   Gaining practical experience through practical and social internships and work placements, external research internships and projects, practical assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment, business challenges etc.

5. Labour market orientation
   Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers from the work field, alumni presentations and experiences, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.

Employability after completing the Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights (LLM) programme

You will also find these employability elements in your study programme.

Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
The Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights programme equips its graduates with the relevant skills and expertise to pursue a career as children’s rights specialists, and promote child-friendly policies, legal reform, advocacy and programmes at the national, regional and international level. Graduates of this programme often move on to positions (at national, regional or international levels) within governmental or intergovernmental organisations; non-governmental organisations working on children’s rights; national human rights institutions, including children’s commissioners or ombuds offices; other monitoring and advisory bodies; academia; and within the legal profession.

Shared transferable skills
The market for attractive positions within the field of children’s rights is often competitive. The aim of the programme in relation to professional prospects is to provide an advanced and solid academic education that can constitute the basis for a successful career. As the course teaches children’s rights within a broader framework of international law, it open doors to careers in parallel fields that feature in our course such as migration, international family practice, child protection work, and work that promotes access to justice.

Self-reflection
Throughout this programme you are invited to apply your knowledge in contexts that you may end up working in – whether that is at the international, regional or domestic level. You are asked to reflect on how you want to make an impact in children’s rights, recognizing that roles at all levels are absolutely crucial to successful implementation. You are encouraged to consider your own natural skill set, together with the skills learned in this course, to find a pathway to career fulfilment.

Practical experience
The varied use of different assessments in this programme allow students opportunities to apply their skills in practical ways, including moot courts. Through the Law Clinic, students are exposed to ‘real life’ work through projects they are asked to work on. It is not within the scope of the programme to place students in internships or work opportunities, but those students who obtain internships or work opportunities are granted permission to do so within the framework permitted by the University’s rules

Activities to prepare for the labour market outside the curriculum

Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.
For example:

• Workshops and (faculty) career events organised by the (faculty) Career Services

• The programme offers several opportunities to hear from or meet with professionals working in the field of children’s rights, including monthly meetings organized by students, opportunities to meet and discuss career opportunities with professionals, including those teaching on the programme.

• The programme organizes an Alumni career event where you hear from and meet alumni and professionals in an evening dedicated to a discussion about careers

• Information about internships and career opportunities, intensifying as the programme is coming to an end

• Introduction to the professional network that the staff and alumni are connected to in, including by inclusion into the alumni Linked In group, as from March in the second semester

• Information about possible doctoral opportunities at Leiden and at other Universities.

Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.