Swapping states and seasons: How a move to Melbourne opened up Anna’s career ambitions

Uncovering new career paths through her Bachelor of Arts

With a love for theatre, Anna made the big move from Brisbane to pursue a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Theatre Studies, at Melbourne. While the adventure of building her independence in a new city was exciting, she says it’s the Melbourne curriculum’s unique flexibility that really solidified her choice.

“I chose to move because the University of Melbourne offers a really awesome and flexible degree structure. It means that you're never going to be studying the same 24 subjects as anyone else.”

“As someone who's interested in theatre, but also criminology and European studies, it meant that I had a range of interests that I could pursue while I was at university without necessarily being locked into one niche.”

Through majors, electives and breadth subjects, Anna has been able to experience a range of different subjects, something she says has helped her explore career paths she hadn’t considered before.

“Breadth subjects are an opportunity to pick different subjects outside of your core faculty subjects, so for me I chose Sports Law. It’s been a fantastic way for me to enrich my degree.”

“Studying different things has given me the ability to recognise potential in myself that I hadn’t necessarily realised before.”

“Before starting at uni, I thought English or theatre would be the route that I head down, but studying my breadth subjects has made me think a career in law, sports or management might be possible for me.”

Experiencing city culture and a campus community, all on her door step

Moving interstate was a big change for Anna, but she has loved making the most of all that Melbourne life has to offer.

“I love how many opportunities there are in the city to see things. There are so many theatre shows on, there's so much live music, there's sport, there's literally everything you could ask for right on your doorstep.”

Although she says it was a little daunting moving to a new city and not knowing anyone, living on campus at Janet Clarke Hall helped her feel at home in no time.

“It's like a second community away from home. And as an interstate student, that is really valuable.”

“I have loved taking advantage of all the opportunities at college, whether academic, sporting, or artistic - I have been involved in the intercollegiate musical, the media team, and am even captaining the rowing team this year, despite never rowing before!”

Janet Clarke Hall is one of ten residential colleges at the University. Generally, residential colleges offer dormitory style living with catered meals and run lots of social and academic programs, like the rowing team Anna is involved in. The extra support makes it a great way to transition when moving out of home.

Getting involved in student clubs has been a big part of Anna’s uni experience. She says she’s not only made new friends but also expanded her skillset through the Eurovision Society, French Society and Pre-Law Society.

Her passion for theatre led her to be involved in student theatre groups, including Four Letter Word Theatre, where she’s taken on the role of Secretary and now President.

“It's been a really awesome opportunity to help foster the growth of new, original works and to really get around the student theatre community in supporting them to make new, exciting works.”

As well as bonding with like-minded people, she says it’s also been a great opportunity to get hands-on in and build career skills which complement her academic study.

“For me, it's given me so many skills in management and producing, learning how to work with other people in a theatrical capacity, and learning all the technical skills that I would need if I decide on a career in theatre.”