Colleen Sedgwick

Colleen Sedgwick holds two qualifications from UNE, a Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Arts (Hons). Freelance graphic designer, cartoonist and artist, Colleen also works for Australia Post.

What was your UNE qualification/s?

I currently have a Bachelor of Social Science (completed in 1999) and used that to obtain an Advanced standing in a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Sociology in 2006.

Online or on-campus study?

At the time, it was distance learning, before online study became popular. I would receive my learning materials, do my assignments and mail them back to the University. As a distance student, I would attend residential schools, and stay in the dormitories for the duration of the schools. It was a great opportunity to meet my lecturers, fellow students and other staff or full-time students there.

How was your experience with UNE lecturers?

I got along fairly well with them: most of them were fairly approachable during the residential schools, though on occasion, it could be hard to contact them via long distance (phone) and you would have to wait until they were free so they could contact you back.

What was your reason for studying at UNE?

I started out in 1994, and wanted to study psychology. However, I couldn't get into that subject straight away, so I started out doing other subjects - sociology and politics. I also had to do statistics, which I initially found hard, and had to find someone to tutor me in this area.

Any plans for future study with UNE?

I'm not sure yet, I have thought of postgraduate studies but don't know what I want to do.

Your current job?

I work for Australia Post as a night sorter, it pays the bills. I also am a freelance graphic designer, cartoonist and artist, and have a side venture titled Sedgieart.

The personal qualities needed to do your job?

With Australia Post, you need to be able to work with people from an array of different backgrounds and nationalities. You also need to have a thick skin, be resilient and not take things personally. Also, a sense of humour helps.

If you weren’t in this line of work, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

If I wasn't working for Australia Post, chances are I would most likely be doing some kind of administrative work, community work, or career in Graphic Design (as in full-time designer). Either that or I would have gone back to university full-time.

Your advice for anyone interested in pursuing this type of career?

Australia Post, or something else?  If anyone is interested in working for Australia Post, it's important to not be too choosy about the work you do. You must be able to work funny hours and shift work. You must be physically fit, because the job requires a lot of manual handling and you need to be resilient emotionally.

The biggest challenge and biggest achievement you’ve experienced in your work or life in general?

Finding a balance in my life is a challenge, especially finding time for hobbies and interests outside of work and study.

How has your UNE qualification aided you in your career?

I would like to think, 'yes', because it has helped me understand myself and others, particularly in a workplace setting. Unfortunately, it hasn't always guaranteed a better job beyond mail sorting.

What inspires you inside work and outside work?

Because I had finished a degree and know a lot of different things, both inside and outside of work, I have just published a book on Amazon titled Tarred with the Same Brush, which is based on my Sociology thesis.

Do you volunteer your time for a community project or organisation?

I did for a while: I volunteered for the Red Cross in Sydney, hoping I would gain experience in the field of community work or social research/policy.

In this time of Covid-19, how has the virus impacted your work?

I still have a job and have not yet been impacted majorly by it: the social distancing rules have meant that we had to finish our shift in enough time, and the Posties have had to come in later.  Before that, we were able to stay back to finish the job, and get a bit of extra money. Now there's less of that.  But no one has been sent home or been required to stay home during the incubation period with Covid19, which is a positive as far as I'm concerned.

Anything else you would like to share?

For anyone studying at University, keep plugging away - hopefully, it might pay off. I was unable to achieve my goals that I was aiming for, so I learned to have a Plan B - something to fall back on when Plan A doesn't work out the way it's supposed to.

I feel for anyone who was unable to attend a proper graduation ceremony at their University, so kudos to anyone able to have a ceremony at home and wear that cape and gown/stole like I was. It's a great feeling being able to do so.

University study has taught me a lot: organizing my time to fit in work, study, hobbies and social life. It has also taught me that there's more to my life than the job I am doing now and my 'ordinary life', and that hope for something better is on the horizon.