Laura Burge - Graduate Pathway Story 16Dr Jason Thompson - A pep talk for Victorians

Laura Burge

Laura Burge is the Manager of Respectful Behaviours at Deakin University, and the Chair of Professional Development of the Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA) Here Laura shares her ‘graduate pathway’ story.

Laura Burge

Graduate Pathway Story

Laura holds a Master of Education in Organisational Leadership from Monash and a Bachelor of International Relations (Honours) from La Trobe University. She has completed specialist studies in student development and support at Griffith University and has a number of peer-reviewed publications in the Journal of Australia and New Zealand Student Services on the topics of university student engagement and wellbeing, support, transition and academic success. She also shares advice, opinions and expertise through online forums, most notably on LinkedIn, and is very happy for our readers to reach out and connect.

What was your educational background? What did you study at university and why did you choose this course?

I completed a subject called ‘Political Science and International Students’ in high school, and my teacher at the time suggested I consider studying a fairly new and exclusive International Relations course (accepting only 30 students per year at the time) at La Trobe University. I jumped at the chance and was fortunate to have been selected. I loved the program which involved studies in politics, international development, anthropology and history, and included a work experience placement which saw me travel to South Korea to organise a crosscultural program. In my fourth year I was offered the opportunity to complete my Honours and chose to research the Indian government’s response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. I was fortunate to spend time in Chennai conducting research, participating in a government forum on the topic – it was an eyeopening experience!

What did you learn during your tertiary education – not just academically, but what ideas did you form and what perceptions? Did any of your views change significantly when you went to university?

I learnt an incredible amount from my time at university – well beyond just academic knowledge in the space. So much of my work has benefited from the so-called ‘soft skills’ I gained and developed during my time – in particular research, critical analysis, written and oral communication. I lived on-campus in student residences throughout my studies, so had the added benefit of a truly immersive university experience, taking on student leadership roles from my second year onwards. These leadership positions – varying from providing academic mentoring to coordinating our student leadership program – led to being offered employment within the university post-graduation.

What has been your pathway since graduating? What was your first job after graduation and how did that job prepare you for your later positions? Any lessons learnt?

As I neared the completion of my Honours program I was quite torn about my future career path. I had intended to explore options in disaster management/

Laura (right) presenting at the ACUHO-I and APSAA

Global Housing Institute as a member of the Faculty.

recovery or a role in government, but my work in student experience and engagement as a student leader had led me to reassess my priorities. Towards the conclusion of the year, the Head of College of my student accommodation highlighted the intention to create a fixed term Project Officer position within the college that would undertake project work in managing student leadership and developing short term international cross-cultural outreach programs. I jumped at the chance to have some more time to consider my options and successfully applied for the role! A year in, the individual colleges and housing entities were amalgamated, and my role was extended to canvas all students living within our on-campus community (approximately 2,100 at the time). Years passed (at frightening speeds, as they do), and I added management of our academic programs to my responsibilities, followed by taking over welfare, discipline and the entire residential experience portfolio across multiple campuses as the Manager, Residential Experience. In 2016, I took a short career break to get married and to travel overseas before successfully applying for a newly created position as the Experience and Engagement Manager at Residential Services, Deakin University. This was really a life defining moment, making the conscious decision to step away from the direct face-to-face, and on-theground contact I’d had with students, transitioning towards a focused strategic development, reporting and research-based role. After four years in this position, including a brief period of maternity leave, an opportunity arose this year to apply for a secondment position within the Diversity and Inclusion team at Deakin, undertaking the role of Manager, Respectful Behaviours. I now have responsibility for the strategic leadership, development, coordination and delivery of education, awareness and engagement initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing drivers of gender-based violence, sexual assault and gender inequality. This includes leading Deakin’s policy, strategies, campaigns, education and training to address sexism, sexual assault and sexual harassment. I look forward to having an impact and making a difference in this space!

Did you have any residencies, internships or anything else that ultimately led you to where you are today?

I consider myself incredibly fortunate that my time as a student and my early years of work (preCOVID) involved plenty of overseas travel to places like the US, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Cambodia for conferences, study and research trips, and as part of accompanying student groups in community outreach programs. It provided me with practical skill development opportunities in every moment and plenty of perspective (even more so in light of current restrictions).

What advice would you give graduates?

I’ve always adopted the mantra of getting involved and actively contributing in as many ways as I can, and I’m a passionate advocate for collaboration and knowledge sharing through presentations, conferences, blogs and articles both within Australia and on a global scale. It can be daunting

putting yourself ‘out there’ but I’d love to see more people take this leap of faith and become ‘content creators.’ I’m also a firm believer in what I call the ‘opportunity snowball’ or the idea that volunteering, speaking at a conference, sharing an opinion through an article, or taking on leadership roles, can act like a snowball, growing as it gains momentum through forward motion, leading to more and more opportunities, new challenges, new connections and truly rewarding personal and professional growth. By taking this approach, I will always argue that I’ve gained so much more than the time, energy or resources I’ve given - in particular, forming connections with passionate, knowledgeable and experienced colleagues who’ve provided me with incredibly valued advice, guidance and mentorship over the years (and the odd job opportunity!). In the same vein, I think it’s important that graduates seek to connect and surround themselves with people who can provide advice and guidance (a coach or mentor), those who can help introduce them to others (a ‘connector’), those who can always provide an honest opinion (a critical friend) and someone who can offer confidential and nonjudgemental support (confidant). Of course, when you’re then in a position to do so, return the favour, and mentor someone who could benefit from your experiences!

What do you like doing when you are not working?

Away from work, I’m a lover of fitness (part of the F45 ‘cult’), photography, travel (desperately missing this part of my life!), and getting out and about in the great outdoors, using every spare moment to plan future adventures! I’m also usually kept very occupied on weekends and after-hours by my husband, Troy, and twoyear-old son, Harry.

Dr Jason Thompson

Dr Jason Thompson (PhD (Medicine), MPsych (Clinical), BSc (Hons)) is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Design at The University of Melbourne. A complex systems and computational social scientist, Jason uses his background in psychology (he is a Registered Psychologist) and Medicine to inform research translation in such diverse sectors as transportation, public health, rehabilitation and system design. Dr Jason Thompson is one of the authors of the modelling that became our roadmap out of lockdown in 2020. A series of messages was sent through Twitter by Jason on the 1st September 2021 on his being informed that the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Victoria had risen and that we would be continuing again in a state of lockdown and restrictions. He read these reflections of the last 18 months on Mornings with Virginia Trioli, ABC Radio Melbourne.

A pep talk for Victorians from one of the modellers who mapped our route out of lockdown

Some of you may have heard the interview on Mornings with Virginia Trioli (broadcast on 3rd September, 8.30AM) while others may have read this on their Twitter feed. The following text is to repeat this experience in writing, and for the benefit of others in Victoria, around Australia and the world who missed the opportunity of hearing something so eloquently put. About this time last year we were working 20 hrs a day on trying to help Victoria come up with an escape plan that would see us able to rejoin the rest of the country. I don't know about you, but for me, it was 112 days of slog and coppings… - personally and professionally. 'You'll never get back to zero', they said. Well, cop that - we did. And we enjoyed those last 9 months while they lasted. We rejoined the world and held our heads high as the only jurisdiction that had beaten back such a huge COVID wave. We held onto both the joy of escape and dread of returning there. Meanwhile our economy boomed like the Big V. But we warned other states. Don't f… around! This is bad. Don't go all cavalier because you've been lucky once or twice. For your own sake - and for ours! But what did they care? - they hadn't been there. They hadn't been on the front pages. Hadn't experienced the condescension nor the desperation, isolation, and the anger at those who wanted to undermine our efforts to keep the community together and safe. So when Delta hit, they treated it like a sport. Dismissed its threat like a bottom of the ladder, wildcard entry they'd beaten before and could afford to pay no mind. We looked on in horror - for them because they hadn't experienced those 112 days - and for us because we had. So what was all that for, Victoria? Why didn't we just let it (the virus) run? The reason is because we - you - did the right thing; by one another, by our communities, by our businesses, by our families, our friends and our fellow Australians. We took it seriously. We took responsibility. That this effort and sacrifice has now been so easily wiped by a new variant, combined with an old complacency and disrespect is galling for many. To have that bridge to the other side drawn up right before our eyes is so, so frustrating today. There is no going back. Now, we have to accept life as it is - as it has been imposed - we're soaking in it. Vaccination was always going to be our ticket out, but now it's just that much more urgent. We have to find another (the only other) way. !!...GET VACCINATED!! So today is tough. But you did well, Victorians. You fought valiantly against a swarm of enemies. And in case you are reading this: You're a good person. Your future is bright The real world - with all its joy and wonder - will be back again soon. To listen to the audio recording of Dr Thompson’s interview with Virginia Trioli go to: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/ programs/mornings/jason-thompson-messagefor-victorians/13526180