CREDIT: CODY HOWE
Codie Taylor plans on using his knowledge from the Law Clerk program to start his own organization to help students in the future.

Fourth-semester Law Clerk student Codie Taylor chose Fanshawe College for a more academic reason than most students; its proud friendship with the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO).

“The ILCO is a professional association providing continuing education, fellowship and networking for its members. Fanshawe is a recognized school meaning, I do not have to complete any exams in order to be considered for membership,” Taylor said. “My completion of the Law Clerk program as a recognized institution means I am automatically considered for membership when I apply.”

Currently Taylor is a student member.

So what do future employers like to see on resumes besides proper name spelling and grammar? Reputable schools that are affiliated with reputable organizations like the ILCO.

Taylor’s sharp grasp on how to become successful has already been proven in this win-win situation, but his long term career vision has just begun.

The 22-year-old Hamiltonian recalls a day in second semester, where an idea sparked the light bulb above his head.

“My idea is to create an organization called ‘Labour Education for Students,’” he said. “My organization would help to educate college and university students to learn about their legal rights in the workplace.”

“Far too often I see students who are taken advantage of by their employer simply because they don’t know the law. I wish to change that and I am hoping to put this idea into action after I graduate from the Law Clerk program.”

Taylor is only in the early stages of his plans but he has a rough sketch of his overall goal.

“The organization’s clientele would be students who are attending college and university in the province of Ontario [and will] educate in subject areas ranging from occupational health and safety to the employment standards act,” he said. “The mission of Labour Education for Students is the belief that student workers need to be protected, we need someone to stand up and say, ‘I am here to help you.’”

“That is exactly what I believe and exactly what I intend to do.”

Taylor will be graduating the Law Clerk program in December and looks forward to starting his Labour Studies program in the fall of 2015.