Isabel’s Remote Work Adventure in Perth

Moving to Perth to pursue a Doctor of Medicine while working remotely as a legal assistant at Brave Legal is no easy feat.

With the support of Bree and the team, Isabel Cook has found a way to balance study, work, and a new city – all while making the most of Perth’s coastal lifestyle.

We caught up with Isabel to hear about her transition, the challenges of returning to study, and how her legal experience is shaping her future in medicine.

What is your special reason for your move to Perth?

I have moved to Perth to pursue my dream of studying Doctor of Medicine and I was lucky enough to be accepted at one of the most beautiful places in our country! Only a few weeks in and I am finding it hard to be stressed when the beach is only five minutes away!

What is it like working in another state from the Brave Legal main office?

Brave Legal is exceptionally accommodating and flexible and it has been so great being able to continue working remotely, although I do miss everyone in the office and the team spirit! I am excited to continue to work on the interplay between my medical studies and personal injury law.

I am thrilled to be able to maintain the Brave Legal spirit all the way in Western Australia and can’t wait to host the next team bonding weekend at Cottesloe Beach (in the shark nets of course).

You have returned to study – were you excited, nervous, or both?

I was both nervous and excited. Starting a big degree that I knew had a big coursework was daunting after having a few years off studying but I knew my passion to learn and excitement for the next chapter was all that I needed!

What was the biggest challenge about setting up a new home in Perth and what do you miss most about Melbourne?

The biggest challenge moving to Perth was definitely leaving all my beautiful friends, family (and coworkers!) behind in Melbourne. but I am lucky that I have moved to such a fantastic holiday spot so that everyone is excited to come and visit me! Oh, and the 40 hour drive across the country was a fun little challenge!

What is it like returning to studies as a post-grad student?  What do you wish you knew as an undergraduate student?

I have found being a post graduate student a very different experience to that of my undergraduate degree. I did most of my undergrad online during Covid. I found a lot of people to be very unengaged, were lost in their career direction and didn’t really want to be attending class. Contrast that to my current post graduate degree, everyone is extremely sociable, easy to get along with and excited to be there. I have enjoyed making new friends with similar interests and hobbies, we have even set up an ocean swim club!

What I would tell those completing their undergraduate degree is to push through the uncertainty!

What is the big dream after your degree and how do we keep you as Brave Legal alumni forever?

I hope to continue working for Brave Legal as long as I can! After I finish my medical degree, I hope to work as an emergency doctor in some sort of rural capacity for some time, maybe even for the Royal Flying Doctors service.

When I gain many years of experience, I hope to provide some independent opinions for my personal injury colleagues and inspire more of my medical colleagues to provide their expert opinion within the medicolegal sphere!

Brave Legal will always hold a very special place in my heart, and the work that Bree and the team does will continue to inspire and motivate me for many years to come.