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Career preparation in Advanced LL.M. Law and Digital Technologies
Leiden University not only provides a robust academic education but also aims to prepare you thoroughly for the labor market, fostering the development of your employability. This approach facilitates a smoother transition into the workforce, ensuring you remain adaptable and relevant in a dynamic labor market while pursuing a career that aligns with your values, preferences, and aspirations.
A. ‘Employability’ consists of the following aspects, which you develop within your education:
1. Subject-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your education.
2. Cross-disciplinary skills
These skills are essential for every student and applicable across a wide range of roles, regardless of your field of study. They include research, analytical thinking, project management, solution generation, teamwork, digital literacy, oral and written communication, presentation, social awareness, independent learning, and resilience. Additionally, practical application skills are equally important, such as crafting a compelling CV, writing a solid motivation letter, building a professional LinkedIn profile, engaging in networking conversations, practicing job interviews, and creating and delivering a persuasive pitch.
3. Self-reflection
This involves reflecting on your (academic) career choices, evaluating your personal and professional profile, and assessing your growth and development. It includes gaining deeper insight into your competencies, personality, work values, and motivations. Consider questions such as: What can you achieve with your knowledge and skills in the labor market? Who are you? What are your strengths? What interests you? What suits you? What do you value most? And ultimately, what do you aspire to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience can be achieved through various avenues, such as practical and community-focused internships, external research projects, and assignments. These opportunities are often integrated into elective courses, minors, graduation projects, or initiatives like business challenges. Each experience is designed to bridge academic learning with real-world application.
5. Orientation on the labor market
Gaining valuable insights into the labor market, various industries, roles, and career paths through diverse opportunities. These include engaging with guest speakers and alumni, sharing their professional experiences, participating in career events within the program, leveraging the alumni mentor network, conducting informational interviews with industry professionals, and exploring shadowing opportunities or company visits linked to specific courses.
B. Employability/labor market program in the Advanced LL.M. in Law and Digital Technologies
The Advanced LL.M. in Law and Digital Technologies addresses the growing demand for professionals who can navigate the complex intersection of law and technology. This program provides in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge legal issues related to digital technologies while equipping students with practical skills to address real-world challenges. Combining academic study with practice-oriented assignments the program prepares graduates to pursue diverse career opportunities in the private sector, public institutions, and international organizations.
1. Subject-specific knowledge and skills
The Advanced LL.M. in Law and Digital Technologies provides a comprehensive foundation in the legal and regulatory aspects of digital technologies, equipping students with the expertise needed for careers at the intersection of law and technology. As part of the program, students engage in written assignments that involve analyzing cases, deepening their understanding of how individual decisions align within broader legal frameworks. They also tackle complex legal and ethical challenges, developing strategies to address such issues in rapidly evolving technological landscapes. By emphasizing practical approaches to regulatory standards and risk management, the program ensures students are well-prepared to navigate and address the multifaceted legal challenges posed by digital innovation.
2. Cross-disciplinary skills
Beyond legal expertise, the program helps students develop transferable skills that are applicable across industries, such as:
Research Skills:
During the thesis process and related workshops, students develop advanced research skills for analyzing complex legal and technological issues. They learn to design and execute in-depth legal research projects, critically evaluate sources, and produce high-quality, evidence-based analyses, preparing them for academic and professional roles in digital technologies and law.
Written and Oral Communication:
Students improve their written communication skills throughout the program by completing individual and group assignments. In addition, students enhance their oral communication skills by preparing and delivering presentations, participating in discussions, and engaging in simulated negotiations or debates, which mirror real-world professional scenarios.
Teamwork and Project Management:
The program emphasizes collaboration through group assignments, where students work together to solve complex legal and technological challenges. Students also develop project management skills by coordinating tasks, setting goals, and managing timelines within team-based projects. These experiences prepare graduates to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, a critical requirement in the dynamic fields of law and digital technologies.
Social Awareness:
The courses encourage critical thinking about technology’s societal impact, including issues like digital inequality and sustainability.
Digital Skills: These are integrated across the curriculum, focusing on the use of digital tools, legal tech, and AI in modern legal practice.
3. Self-reflection
Self-reflection is integral to the program, encouraging students to evaluate their personal and professional development, strengths, and career aspirations. Activities such as career workshops, discussions with alumni, and individualized feedback sessions help students refine their professional identity and prepare for the evolving demands of the job market.
4. Practical experience
The program offers numerous opportunities to gain practical experience. As part of the courses, students engage with practice-oriented assignments, such as drafting compliance policies, conducting risk assessments for digital technologies, and advising on emerging tech regulations. Many students also opt to intern at tech companies, law firms, or international organizations, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
5. Orientation on the labor market
Throughout the program, students interact regularly with professionals and organizations in the digital law sector. Guest lectures, networking events, and opportunities to collaborate with experts in the field provide valuable insights into the profession.
C. Where do graduates of the Advanced LL.M. in Law and Digital Technologies work?
Graduates of the Advanced LL.M. in Law and Digital Technologies work in various sectors and roles, both in the public and private domain. In the public sector, graduates often work for government bodies, regulatory agencies, and international organizations. They fulfill roles such as legal advisors, policy officers, or researchers, addressing issues related to digital transformation, data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
Additionally, in the private sector, graduates frequently find positions in law firms, tech companies, consultancy firms, and corporate legal departments. They handle matters such as compliance with technology-related regulations, data protection laws, artificial intelligence governance, and the ethical use of technology.
Moreover, graduates also thrive in international organizations and non-profits, contributing to policy development, advocacy, and research in areas such as human rights in the digital age and global data governance. Lastly, their specialized expertise opens opportunities in dynamic sectors like financial technology, healthcare technology, and startups, where legal insight into digital innovation is critical.
Overall, the program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to excel in a wide range of professional environments, preparing them to address the complex legal challenges posed by the digital era.
D. Labor market preparation activities beyond the curriculum
Throughout the academic year, various activities are organized within, alongside, and beyond your study program to help ease the transition from university to the labor market. These activities include:
Workshops and faculty career events: organized by the Faculty Career Services to enhance your employability and job search skills.
Informational sessions: guiding study options, elective courses, international opportunities, and internships.
Labor market orientation meetings: featuring alumni from the program, offering insights into career paths and opportunities.
These initiatives are designed to equip you with the tools and insights needed for a successful transition into the workforce.
E. More information: Career Service, LU Career Zone, and career workshops calendar
i. Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice about study (re)orientation and master’s choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labor market, and job applications.
ii. Leiden University Career Zone
The Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) careers. You will find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the field of (study) career planning, career opportunities with your education, labor market orientation, applying for jobs, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events, and Career Services.
iii. Workshops and events
On the course calendar, you will find an overview of career and application workshops organized by Career Services.
