Diane Ovens

Graduated in 2000
Bachelor of Arts Honours in History and Philosophy

I graduated in 2000 with a joint Honours degree in History and Philosophy. I wanted to develop a career in public policy management, but my main interest was working in the field of adult education.  My first job after graduating was at Flinders University where I worked as the Office Manager in the National Institute of Labour Studies. The experience was a good one and it enabled me to hone my management skills in a small office setting. I then transferred to the Office of Research where I worked in a more challenging role as a Research Grants Officer. During my tenure at the University I worked as a Tutor on the Flinders University Foundation Course and I also began running STAT Preparation Workshops for the WEA. I am currently working as the Graduate Program Coordinator at the Adelaide Campus of Carnegie Mellon University and I have continued teaching at the WEA where I am currently designing other study-related courses. Looking back I am not sure how I managed to balance working full-time with studying. I put myself under a lot of pressure to do well and along the way I was fortunate to meet some inspirational tutors, lecturers and friends who made my time at University an extremely rewarding experience. My advice to prospective or current students is to make the most of your time at University. If you are passionate about what you are studying and do well, there will be many wonderful career opportunities available to you.