RGU alumnus and Engineer Louis-Jean shares his experience studying Construction Law and Arbitration (CLArb) online and how it has helped develop his career.
Can you tell us a bit about you and your career?
I am an Engineer with extensive experience in the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) sector. I began my career as a Site Supervisor for domestic projects in France, and quickly moved to a major EPC contractor for oil and gas, to become first a Contract Engineer and eventually Contract Manager. During my career, I have worked in China, Qatar, Russia, and Japan.
What inspired you to study CLArb?
Faced with large disputes, I realised the importance of having a deeper understanding of the contract law. It became essential for me to comprehend contractual nuances and articulate logical arguments effectively.
I started to consider pursuing a law degree. Acquaintances with legal backgrounds advised me to focus on a law degree specialising in construction to ensure it aligned with my background.
In 2017, I discovered that a former colleague had recently completed the master’s in Construction Law and Arbitration at RGU. He recommended that I join the program. Subsequently, I enrolled as a postgraduate student at RGU in September 2018.
What was the highlight of your degree?
The highlight was definitely the dissertation. It allowed me to go deeply into a controversial topic, and to really understand what law concepts are, how they are created, and how they evolve and become obsolete. This dissertation led to the publication of two papers in the Construction Law Journal, one of the most renowned journals in my field.
How will your degree support you in your career?
The degree has significantly supported my career. While studying in parallel with working, I became highly efficient and confident in my role as a Contract Manager (I was leading a team of 15 people). A few months after graduation, I was promoted to directorate level of the project, overseeing two large construction sites and joining the project’s legal counsel.
I have now started my own consulting firm, offering services to hydrogen developers to structure and execute their projects. The strengths of my Master of Law degree have proven to be persuasive to my clients.
How did you find studying online?
The online study experience was excellent and convenient. Equipped with a tablet and an A5 notebook, I studied everywhere—on trains, in cafes—opening and closing documents in seconds.
I generally studied between 15 to 25 hours a week. However, a two-month period was particularly challenging while I was working in China. The construction project faced significant issues impeding progress, coinciding with the drafting of my dissertation.
My routine during these two months was to wake up as usual at 5:30 AM to be at the site by 6:30 AM, working until 6:00 PM then cooking and having dinner; but I was then taking a nap from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM, and writing my dissertation from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM or midnight.
Fortunately, after three months, the work slowed down thanks to Chinese New Year allowing me to complete my dissertation by mid-March. I was ultimately rewarded with an ‘A’ grade, which was very satisfying.
Except that difficult period, everything went fine. I have really appreciated studying the Master’s in Construction Law and Arbitration at RGU. I made three great friends while studying on the WhatsApp group. We exchange often about our work issues. I have also developed connections with some of the teachers.
Louis-Jean Germain
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