What's your job about?

I’m currently in the Languages, Literacy and Numeracy team within the Department’s Schools and Youth cluster.

What's your background?

I grew up in Ocean Grove, Victoria approx. one and a half hours from Melbourne. I attended Bellarine Secondary College, the local government school, which made me incredibly passionate about the work the Education department has recently undertaken with regard to school funding.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Languages (Indonesian) from the University of Melbourne.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. Admittedly, thanks to my degree I have prior knowledge of the importance and challenges associated with language learning in Australia which helped guide my policy thinking. However, so long as are committed to improving student outcomes, I have no doubt you will find the work of my area incredibly interesting and fulfilling.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

During the recent caretaker period, I was fortunate to provide assistance on the ‘Incoming Government Brief’ process for my branch. I helped coordinate the relevant briefs and seek input from each line area before it was sent back up to the senior executives for review and approval. As these would constitute the briefs that would be first read by the incoming government (whichever colour), it was incredibly rewarding to gain a more strategic understanding of how my branch’s work aligned with the major parties’ priorities.

 What are the limitations of your job?

Given states and territories already play a pivotal role in shaping their educational outcomes, working in the Department’s Schools and Youth cluster can really challenge you to think creatively about how you can best engage and not duplicate the amazing work of the jurisdictions.  

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Try new subjects. I feel like I could do my arts degree 3-times over with all the amazing subjects I took throughout my B.A. 
2. Get involved in Uni. Join a sport/club/charity and it’ll be a healthy distraction from your University studies. 
3. Don’t be afraid to speak up in class. The classes I got the most out of were the ones where I encouraged myself to share my opinions. A simple trick which did wonders for my morale and grades!