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CMU student Marc Regier encourages his fellow students to make the\u00a0 most of their practicum experiences.<\/p>\nCMU student Marc Regier encourages his fellow students to make the\u00a0 most of their practicum experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive it your all, give it your best,\u201d he says. \u201cYou\u2019ll learn about your own capacity in doing so.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Biblical and Theological Studies major and an International Development Studies (IDS) minor, Regier is completing his practicum at the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) in Winnipeg, which takes on test cases for public interest groups and low-income individuals.<\/p>\n
In his role at PILC, Regier says he has been \u201cexposed to a whole range of responsibilities that a non-practicing lawyer could be exposed to at a law centre.\u201d This includes compiling evidence, creating research reports and memos, meeting with clients, attending and documenting hearings, and \u201creading thousands of pages of material.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a child, Regier had a vision of being a lawyer, an interest his practicum reignited. He explains that through his longstanding focus on the legal implications of the Bible, he\u2019s developed an idea of what legal practice is\u2014something he\u2019d like to \u201cpush into the secular world and test out.<\/p>\n
Regier came to CMU seeking a rigorous approach to biblical studies and says he\u2019s \u201choned an understanding of the historical, scientific merits of the Bible,\u201d which has served to bring him closer to the Bible.<\/p>\n
His practicum has been going \u201cphenomenally well\u201d and Regier has seen some of the IDS theories he\u2019s learned being put into practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Public Interest Law Centre basically starts with the same worldview as IDS,\u201d he says. \u201cYou measure what those who are marginalized need or want, bring that into the legal realm, and represent that among the big actors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regier\u2019s been inspired by the ways the lawyers at PILC work, saying there\u2019s no end to the research they undertake and that they try to expose themselves to everything that\u2019s been written on a topic. \u201cIt reflects competence and the desire to produce good work,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
For those who are beginning a practicum, Regier offers this advice: \u201cRespect and be a blessing to the people who have agreed to train you. Regularly and peaceably recognize when they are there and thank them.\u201d<\/p>\n
CMU believes experience-based education has great learning potential and as such, requires all Bachelor of Arts students to complete a practicum. The practicum complements classroom education by having students spend a significant amount of time in an off-campus placement.<\/p>\n
Regier, who plans to attend law school after graduation, encourages students to complete their practicum near the end of their degree.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t think of a better way to end my education,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s the interface between education and experience.\u201d<\/p>\n