English Literature & Humanities: Jobs to careers and everything in between

This session covers:

• What can students do with their Literature/Humanities studies?
• How are the knowledge and skills gained from your Literature/Humanities studies applicable to real life careers?
• What can students learn about the expectations of the workforce, and how it compares to their experience as a university student?

You will have the opportunity to ask questions to leading industry professionals working in relevant roles and hear their experiences, stories and advice. The session will end with an informal networking opportunity. 

Date: Tuesday 23 August
Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm (AEST)
Location: St Lucia Campus

Keynote

Graham has a Diploma of Teaching (BCAE), Bachelor of Arts with Honours (UQ) and a Bachelor of Laws (QUT). He was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1999 and worked in commercial and estate law. He later worked as an organiser with the Queensland Independent Education Union, before becoming a Senior Policy Advisor with the Queensland Government and then the Queensland Resources Council.

Graham was elected to parliament in 2007 and is currently Chair of the Public Works Committee, a member of the Human Rights Committee and is also on the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. He is also the Prime Minister’s representative on The Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Summer Olympics. Graham is a keen musician, reader and the author of three books: The Twelfth Fish, The Big Fig and The Solid Rock.

Meet our panel

Dr Jean McBain is the Senior Manager, Research Strategy and Policy at the University of Queensland. Jean is a literature and history graduate and has worked across the teaching, research and administrative activities of universities for 10 years. Jean is a proud advocate for the humanities and believes that the skills acquired in the study of literature and history have been vital to her professional achievements.

Simon is the Fryer Librarian at UQ’s Fryer Library and Vice-President of The Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand. After completing an BA (hons) in English literature at UQ, he taught in Japan before completing journalism and librarianship qualifications at QUT. Prior to coming to the Fryer Library, he was Manager, Heritage Information Services and Curator, Military Collections at The State Library of Queensland from 2003-2014. He has also worked as an archivist at the Queensland State Archives.

Julia is a graduate policy officer currently working in the Office for Women and Violence Prevention in the Queensland Government. She studied a Bachelor of Advanced Humanities with Honours in English Literature at UQ. While at university, she volunteered as an intern at the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect researching risks of sexual and gender-based violence and at Anglicare Queensland creating a community profile of The Valley. Since graduating in 2020, she has worked at Merlo, the Turner Group, QAGOMA, and the Office for Youth in Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science.