Why did you choose to study at UQ?
I chose to study at UQ because it offered the academic benefits of a Top 100 university combined with the social benefits of hundreds of student Clubs and Societies. No other university in Queensland provides substantial social opportunities to students whilst providing a world renowned education.
What are the best things about your program at UQ? Is there anything that you think is special or unique about the program that you are enrolled in?
The great thing about a dual degree in Arts and Engineering is the ability to combine technical hands on degree with the breadth of an arts degree. This unique combination is valued both by potential employers but also provides the ability to discover social sciences that are relevant to jobs in the global century.
Is there a practical, hands-on aspect to your program? If so, did it enhance your learning experience? How?
Aside from the inherent hands-on aspects of an engineering degree, my arts degree was packed full of hands on experiences at every stage. In my Ancient History study I had the opportunity to go on a study tour to Italy for three weeks and learn about ancient roman sites and museums like Pompeii and the Pantheon. In my Anthropology study I had several internship opportunities with the Native Title Registry at the Federal Court and on kinship systems with the Central Land Council in Alice Springs. More than that, in my Indonesian Language study, I spent a semester abroad at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia where I had study and work opportunities aswell as the time of my life travelling around!
Did you complete any previous study in order to attend UQ? Were you awarded a scholarship to study at UQ?
I started at UQ straight out of high school and was fortunate enough to be award The University of Queensland Merit Scholarship at the commencement of my study.
What are your future career goals? Do you think that your studies/degree will help you get a job? How?
I would like to have a future career in development engineering and infrastructure around Australia and the Asia Pacific. The combination of an Engineering and Arts degree has set me up for this and put me in a place where the job market is open to me in a number of countries. At the moment I am preparing for an internship in Jakarta, Indonesia in the Capital Projects and Infrastructure team of a global consultancy firm.
Have there been any courses that you’ve found to be particularly useful?
I have found that the advanced courses in all of the Arts majors have been the most enjoyable and valuable. It can sometimes be irritating for students to start at the introductory and foundational courses, but it is important to remember that these help develop your skills for the courses you are exposed to in the later years.
Are there any services/facilities at UQ that you have found to be particularly useful?
I found involvement in the UQ Student Union particularly valuable, especially the Clubs and Societies on offer. I was fortunate to be involved in both the Civil Engineering Student Association and this helped me make plenty of friends but also to get involved in a social scene of balls, pub crawls, sports teams and student advice.
What advice would you give people who are considering studying your program at UQ?
Go for it! I wouldn’t have changed a thing in my choice to study Arts and Engineering in a dual program at UQ. The combination of practical and broad study opportunities has given me extensive job opportunities and social experiences I wouldn’t have thought were possible.
What have you discovered, either personally or academically through your studies at UQ?
There is no set mould for study at UQ, you can choose the direction and change the direction to suit your needs. I both overloaded in semesters, and studied part time in others. The flexibility of an Arts degree enables you to study in a way that matches what you want from a university education.
How would you describe your UQ study experience?
My UQ study experiences opened more doors than I thought were possible. It has put me in the position that when I leave university I will have more opportunities than I could have imagined and making the decision will be the difficult opportunity. It will put me in a position to create change on my own terms in a way that will impact the global environment.
Have you had a lecturer or tutor that has really inspired you? If so, who was it and why?
The nature of a broad degree of study is that you have the exposure to many world class academic who inspire you to study in a range of different fields. Whether it is research or industry, of hands-on practicals or published journal articles you have access to the best of the best. Inspiration tends to exist in the passion for a field of study as well as in all of the individual academics.
What is the best extra-curricular activity you’ve been involved with at UQ? Why have you enjoyed it so much?
I had the pleasure of being the President of the University of Queenland Student Union in 2016. This put me in role of responsibility for both the management of student services at UQ, but also to represent students at high level part of the University. This job was rewarding beyond belief, it gave me the ability to fight for student interests like compulsory lecture recordings during the day, to network with students at night and all whilst studying at a world class institution. The number of extra-curricular activities at UQ is beyond comparison in Australia and is a good enough reason alone to study here.
