A Message to Freshmen from Department Chair Tzu-Sung Hsieh

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Navigation and Marine Engineering, Republic of China Naval Academy
Master of Science in Human Resource Management, Naval Postgraduate School
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
Highest Degree:
Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

I attended the Naval Academy for my undergraduate studies, so asking me "what if I could be a freshman again" naturally refers to what it would be like to be a freshman at the Naval Academy all over again. As is widely known, a military academy is not a place where you can "fool around for four years." The freshman-year drills are especially grueling, yet they profoundly inspired my life. Against this backdrop, I would like to offer several directional suggestions for the incoming freshmen of Ming Chuan University's Department of Law.

Identifying Your Learning Interests

The four-year program at Ming Chuan University's Department of Law provides foundational training to cultivate future legal professionals. Faced with a rich curriculum of law courses, what attitude should freshmen adopt toward their studies?

Today's students are deeply cherished and protected by their parents and teachers, and they often hear advice to decide their participation in things based on their "interests." However, what is "interest"? Is "interest" determined by "intuitive feelings"? If this logic holds, people will intuitively tend to reject or avoid arduous and difficult tasks, and then back out using "lack of interest" as an excuse!

Law school courses, especially foundational ones, are intuitively arduous to learn and inherently difficult. When faced with demanding and challenging subjects, aspiring legal professionals need self-discipline to complete their studies, rather than rejecting valuable learning opportunities simply because of a negative subjective intuition toward certain courses.

Furthermore, "interest" is not the sole factor in deciding whether to engage in something—this holds true not only for more advanced studies later on, but also for the choices you make after entering the workforce.

Take my academic background as an example, which spans degrees in science and engineering, management, and law. Did I pursue these diverse degrees solely out of interest? Not entirely—some were driven by professional needs or seizing opportunities. Yet, through the rigorous process of interdisciplinary learning, I eventually developed a considerable degree of interest in all of them.

Setting Academic Goals

As you embark on your four-year academic journey in Ming Chuan University's Department of Law, you should set appropriate academic goals and study diligently. Never treat the Department of Law as a place to "fool around for four years"—that would be a terrible waste. On the contrary, entering a law program already gives you a distinct advantage in career planning. Many non-law students have to take extra law credits just to qualify for exams and enter their desired professions. If you are already in the Department of Law yet fail to study these subjects seriously, aren't you squandering that very advantage?

When first entering the Department of Law, many freshmen view becoming an attorney or a judicial officer as the only two career paths. While staying true to that original aspiration and seeing it through is certainly commendable, students should also understand that civil service and professional/technical legal certifications encompass a wide array of options beyond just these two. Likewise, the demand for legal professionals is not limited to courts or law firms; they are needed across industry, academia, and many other sectors. Furthermore, students wishing to pursue advanced studies can seamlessly transition into Ming Chuan University's Graduate Institute of Law, or consider furthering their education at the law schools of our overseas sister universities.

Students must ultimately find a foothold that suits them—choose what you love, love what you choose, set clear goals, and strive to achieve them. Standing amidst the treasure trove of Ming Chuan University's Department of Law, how could you possibly leave empty-handed?

Legal Professional Training

Certain university degree classification systems categorize degrees from law and medical schools as "professional degrees," distinguishing them from the "academic degrees" offered by other colleges. The distinction lies in the fact that holders of professional degrees must be capable of handling specialized legal or medical issues, and practicing in these fields typically requires professional licensure.

Therefore, law freshmen must also recognize that their learning cannot remain solely at the level of theoretical discussion; they must cultivate the ability to solve practical legal problems. Specifically, the curriculum includes both substantive law courses focused on theoretical inquiry and procedural law courses centered on litigation practice. Additionally, participating in internships is crucial—whether at courts, law firms, administrative agencies, or even corporate legal departments, internships are an excellent way to enrich one's professional capabilities.

Ming Chuan University offers a wide variety of student clubs. Joining clubs not only helps you relax both body and mind, but also cultivates teamwork and social skills—these are clear benefits. Moreover, do not overlook clubs with a legal focus, such as the Legal Aid Club, which enhances practical legal skills, and the Debate Club, which sharpens legal argumentation abilities. Additionally, trying out for and serving as a student editor for a law journal is also immensely beneficial, as it improves the rigor of your writing.

The world is changing at a rapid pace. Driven by international trade and geopolitics, the demand for foreign-related legal affairs is steadily growing. Students should not merely be content with on-campus or domestic academic activities; instead, they should actively participate in international or cross-strait exchanges to broaden their horizons. Only through substantive participation can one truly appreciate the importance of cultivating international competitiveness.

Congratulations to all freshmen on entering Ming Chuan University's Department of Law! Build your dreams in the ocean of law and make these four years your time to shine—keep going!