Joanna Luke, PhD student, School of English, Media Studies, and Art History
PhD student Joanna Luke participated in the Queensland Government PhD work experience program as part of UQ’s Career Development Framework.
She was placed in the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games and tasked with finding inventive solutions that would give effective and targeted support to rapidly growing businesses.
"The PhD Employment Experience Program was an exciting opportunity that has undoubtedly helped prepare me for a career post PhD.
"The program gives PhD students the opportunity to get practical workplace experience that will enhance their future employment opportunities. It’s a valuable means of honing some of the core professional attributes that all employers look for.
"One of the great things about the program was simply the chance to experience a professional work environment.
"It was wonderful just to be surrounded by colleagues on a day-to-day basis, work as part of a team, attend and participate in staff meetings, and build friendships and professional relationships outside of academia.
"The program allowed me to get a feel for how the department and its various divisions operate and, more broadly, to get a genuine picture of work-life outside the University.
"My advisors and colleagues at UQ have always encouraged me to move beyond the physical bounds of the university campus and to see research as a fundamentally collaborative exercise.
"It’s this kind of collaborative spirit that I value most about UQ."
If you are a UQ HDR candidate and would like to explore your placement opportunities, attend an information session to learn more about the program.
