SECRET SPOT ON CAMPUS: Dunmore Lang Library
MANTRA: Oscar Wilde said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world, most people just exists.” I like it because it inspires me to strive for a big life full of adventure.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU: My friends; they’re the most incredible group of people I know, and they’re all absolutely ‘killing it’ at life.
“BACKGROUND” OR “CATCH UP” OR “JULIA’S STORY” (not sure if this is needed – but it should be short): Since graduation, I’ve been working in the social/ environmental advocacy space, specifically environmental education, mental health and women’s rights.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW: Right now I’m living in Hyderabad, India, working with an organisation called My Choices Foundation. I’m currently working on two projects; Operation PeaceMaker, and Operation Red Alert which address domestic violence and sex trafficking across India.
HOW HAS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AT MQ IMPACTED WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS WORLD: I was really lucky because a lot of my law classes allowed me to analyse and challenge the status quo. I was surrounded my exceptionally smart people and many of our classes ended in heated debates! I began to see the world in a more critical light and it inspired me to start working in social/ environmental advocacy.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN 5 YEARS TIME: Working in women’s advocacy in the Northern Territory, maybe legal aid, maybe program development and implementation, or maybe advocacy… We’ll see!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM MQ: Don’t waste time living someone else's dream. Be honest with yourself about what you really want to do, and do it!
THREE WORDS TO DESCIRBE HOW YOU WANT TO SEE THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET: No more ego.
SPIRIT ANIMAL: I have a few (goat, dolphin, elephant) but recently I feel like an octopus!
GRADUATED: 2009 QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Media (writing)
SECRET SPOT ON CAMPUS: My secret spot on campus is the north side of the lake, looking back towards campus. This side of the lake is peaceful, shaded and home to the learning circle which honours our long-standing relationship with the Darug people, the traditional occupants of the lands on which Macquarie is built. I’ve been lucky enough to attend a smoking ceremony here which has made this area particularly special.
MANTRA: Be kind. This is so simple and seems obvious, but there is a lack of kindness in the world. A smile, compassion and simply asking people how they are can go a long way. One of my favourite quotes is by Maya Angelou; “At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU: Strong women. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by strong, resilient and intelligent women who inspire me daily.
“BACKGROUND” OR “CATCH UP” OR “JENNIFER'S STORY”: I’m lucky enough to be born and bred in Sydney. Since uni I’ve worked in PR, marketing and now I’m back at Macquarie in Student Recruitment so I’ve covered three different career paths in seven years – still changing my mind and trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up! In between, I’ve visited Europe, America, Japan and the Philippines and I hope to continue exploring the world.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW: My role at Macquarie University is undergraduate student recruitment coordinator – basically I try to show current high school students how great Macquarie is as a university choice.
In the last few years I’ve grown to appreciate inner strength and peace a lot more. A friend of mine introduced me to meditation in the past year which I’m still rusty at, but feeling the results nonetheless. I’m about to embark on my first solo trip overseas which will hopefully strengthen my relationship with myself. Otherwise some of my favourite things to do are nature walks, drinking copious amounts of wine with friends and talking to complete strangers – you never know what you will learn from them! I recently offered to take a photo for a couple visiting Watsons Bay. This lead to me joining their walk and chatting with them for an hour. I answered their questions about Sydney life and they shared with me what living in Philadelphia is like – people love sharing their story.
HOW HAS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AT MQU IMPACTED WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS WORLD: One thing I loved about Macquarie when studying here was the amount of recycling bins offered around campus. Recycling is so simple yet so important, it baffles me why recycling bins are not placed next to garbage bins everywhere in Australia. The labelling of what to put in the Macquarie bins is a great educational point for those who are unsure about what can and can’t be recycled.
This notion of recycling absolutely everything possible has always stuck with me. I’ve noticed that everyone in my apartment block puts their recycling inside plastic bags, making it completely redundant. Recently I printed off a number of educational posters about how to recycle and put them around the bin room – a small task but one that will hopefully see over 500 units now recycle properly.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN 5 YEARS TIME: Hopefully applying my skills within a charity organisation or working in any role which can better the world. I’d love to work in communications or marketing to spread the word about environmental sustainability or animal protection.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM MQU: Every experience be it in your personal life or at work is valuable – learn from it. And never underestimate the power of connections, so put yourself out there and meet new people!
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW YOU WANT TO SEE THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET: compassionate, tolerant, eco-friendly.
SPIRIT ANIMAL: Golden retriever. I was given this spirit animal by my friend and (self-proclaimed) professional spirit animal assigner. My friend explained they are friendly, loyal and have unconditional love and acceptance and if I can continue to live my life this way, I’ll be happy.
MANTRA: “Today I will be better than yesterday”
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU: There are many inspirations in my life, they have been important in different phases of my growth: my grandma Giuliana taught me to love and respect Nature, my mum Faustina believes in me every day and supports me in my (crazy) passions, my university friends in Italy; Martina, Francesca, Carlotta, Maurizio and Paolo are my science companions and the staff at MQ sustainability, especially Sara and Belinda, whom has given me a unique guidance and support I would have never expected. I am thankful to all of the people that believe in what I do and from who I learn something every day.
BACKGROUND: I grew up in Milan, Italy. I studied languages and literature in high school and became passionate about science during my Bachelor studies. Before moving to Australia I was hardly aware of my actions and impacts on the environment and other people’s life. I was living without really asking myself about what was happening outside my world. I regret not making the changes I have been making in the last two years earlier, but my past attitude is motivating me to change my behaviour and bringing positive change outside of my daily life.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW: I am
preparing myself to face real challenges. Soon I will go back to Italy - where
I will be able to put in practice everything that I learnt and that inspired
HOW HAS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AT MQ IMPACTED WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS WORLD: My studies at MQ have given me the chance to come across people and ideas that changed the way I see and perceive the world. My courses and teachers gave me the knowledge about what is happening around me and my involvement with Sustainability MQ has given me the chance to actively do something. I have engaged in numerous activities with AYCC and took part in peaceful activism. Getting engaged with as many projects as possible gave me the opportunity to learn and prepare for the world.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN 5 YEARS TIME: I hope that by then I will have accumulated more experience and knowledge in sustainable development – turning my interests in what I really love: making science and environmental protection accessible to everyone.
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW YOU WANT TO SEE THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET:
SPIRIT ANIMAL: Stenella Coeruleoalba – striped dolphin
GRADUATED: 2015 QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation
SPOT ON CAMPUS: Down in the sun by the lake
MANTRA: Be the person you needed when you were younger
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU: I feel inspired sitting on the beach watching the waves
“BACKGROUND” OR “CATCH UP” OR “Frankie's STORY”: Since graduating in November (2015), I’ve thrown myself into what I love - animals, conservation, and people. I was lucky enough to get a job at Taronga Zoo and I haven’t looked back. I love being part of a community whose aim is to connect people with the natural world.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW: Working at Taronga Zoo
HOW HAS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AT MQ IMPACTED WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS WORLD: I thought it was a great initiative at MQ that every bin gets sorted and recycled and so in my home life I recycle what I can to make a difference.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN 5 YEARS TIME: I would like know that whatever I am doing in 5 years that I am contributing to making the world a better place
WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM MQ: Apply for jobs before you graduate and have a plan of where you would like to end up
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW YOU WANT TO SEE THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET: Sustainable, Harmonious, Thriving