I remember not really knowing what to do when I finished Year 12. Law was always on the cards, and my interest in legal studies at school only reinforced this. I knew I wanted to do something with law that allowed me to pursue more creative interests. My favourite subject at school was English, especially when we had creative freedom to write fiction stories. For me, studying a double degree in creative writing and law was the perfect combination.
I think the biggest part of my QUT learning that helped me get to where I am today was the experiences on offer and the focus on practical learning. I was constantly learning from a range of professionals with experience in both industries, whether they were writers themselves, academics, law professionals or people who had worked in the editing and publishing industry.
Throughout my creative writing degree, we had various opportunities to share written work with our peers, tutors, and lecturers, which I found incredibly confronting at first. But without that experience, I wouldn’t have been able to break down the wall we naturally put up when trying to protect personal and creative work. I was also selected to share my writing at events on a few occasions, which was an invaluable experience that allowed me to face my fear of public speaking.
Classes such as corporate writing and editing in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) were beneficial in developing persuasive writing techniques and strategies with creative flair, while the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) helped me learn how to effectively communicate complex legal information to an audience with diverse backgrounds and understandings.
Apart from opportunities in the research/academic area of the law school, I also elected to participate in two legal clinics, which included working with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisation as a grant writer, as well as learning from professionals at a Brisbane-based community legal centre. Both these experiences exposed me to working with professional organisations, including engaging with stakeholders and clients, delivering technical information, while also being respectful of sensitive matters.
I look forward to using these skills when I begin a Graduate Program with the Department of Social Services in Canberra. There, I will complete two five-month work area placements that introduce me to working in the Federal Government. I hope to make a difference addressing issues that affect Australians and communities across the country. I see forward-thinking government policy as a way to make a constructive contribution to society and a means of instigating long-lasting change.
I am now an effective written communicator who thinks critically and uses my problem-solving skills to make a positive impact in the real world. Studying a double degree at QUT has allowed me to develop a skillset that will be integral to the growth of my career.
A big goal for me now is continuing to write. I’m not sure what this will necessarily look like. I’ve really enjoyed my role as a Research Assistant at QUT, where I worked alongside leading QUT academics on projects concerning environmental sustainability/human rights law, regulation, and policy. So postgraduate study is certainly a future goal. I’d love to return to university as a PhD student and continue research and writing as an academic.
In 2022 I was awarded the Queensland Young Writer’s Award. After entering every year since I was eligible at the age of 18, it was a real honour to be recognised in this way. Each year, I would submit a short story I’d been working on, and each year I’d get a similar letter of rejection. I would always take away lessons from reading each story, such as what the judges look for in a winning piece, or how these writers developed a distinct voice, theme, characters etc. The competition became an important part of my writing development, fine-tuning my process each year.
Putting creative work out there can always be daunting, so to be recognised in this way really helped with my confidence and approach to creative writing. I think these competitions are incredibly important for young writers. Not only does it validate your skillset through acceptance, but it exposes you to rejection and the desire for self-improvement. Creative writing has always been a passion of mine, so I hope to continue that in some capacity in the future.
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