Double degree - double impact
Student Teresa Chen shares her motivation for doing a double degree.
We asked Teresa Chen, who is three years into a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, to answer 5 quick questions about studying a double degree.
Her advice for others considering double-dipping?
鈥滻t's important to identify why you're doing it, because that will keep you grounded and motivated when it gets busy. A double degree not only gives you flexibility in your career options but also allows you to pioneer your own way by combining both fields in your own way.鈥
What inspired you to pursue your double degree?
I鈥檝e always been really interested in child protection policy and which motivating factors operate within the system for us to get to where we are now. Coming from an out-of-home care background I鈥檝e always wanted to understand it from the other side.
What are you hoping to do after graduation?
My ideas are constantly evolving! Right now, my goal is to apply to the graduate program with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.I am also interested in intelligence analyst roles at a State or Federal level. I鈥檓 not sure what I鈥檒l do yet, but hopefully I鈥檒l end up somewhere I really enjoy.
What鈥檚 been the most rewarding part of studying two disciplines at once?
It's definitely seeing the direct connections between how social work elements interact with the criminal justice/legal system and how these intersections create complex systems practitioners like myself hope to improve.
How do you balance the workload and mindset shifts between the two fields?
With an adaptable attitude! Social work and criminology ask you to approach social problems from very different perspectives, one focuses on individual and community wellbeing while the other examines systems and data. Over time skills such as critical analysis and strengths-based research methodologies have started to complement each other, which makes balancing them easier. A robust and accurate calendar is an absolute must!
Can you share a highlight of your time at 麻豆社madou?
Studying at 麻豆社madou has opened up so many opportunities for me, including my role as a Students as Partners Consultant at SCON, which aims to engage voices of students with diverse lived experiences with 麻豆社madou projects and initiatives. This role has given me a behind-the-scenes perspective of how policies are developed through meaningful consultation, which has been an incredible learning experience!