Amber Halliday

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) – 2000. Bachelor of Media – 2004.

Current place of employment

The University of Adelaide, Project Officer for the Elite Athlete Support and Information Officer (EASIS) and part-time freelance journalist.

Previous employment

Full time student and athlete!

Current job activities

Counseling students with regards to career choice and balancing their study and sport. Also, general promotion of the university and other prospective student officer’s tasks.

Enjoyable aspects of job

I enjoy having contact with people and assisting them in their decisions that will affect their futures.

Difficult aspects of job

Keeping the website up to date with all the activities and the profiles of the students involved with EASIS!

Maintenance of skills and professional knowledge

I find myself drawing on organizational and social psychology quite often in my job. I also gained a greater understanding of how the media works from my second degree which has been useful in many situations.

Future goals

I hope to keep up my journalism ‘on the side’ for the next few years and then I’ll decide whether to go on with that or go back and do my Honours year then maybe a Master of Psychology (Organisational & Human Factors) in order to be a registered psychologist.

Words of advice to new and current students

Studies in psychology can be relevant when combined with almost any other degree. A basic knowledge of psychology is a great tool in any career.

Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted as a career before you started University, while you were there, or on graduation?

I knew while I was still at school that I wanted to major in psychology through an Arts degree. I found myself doing elective subjects from politics and anthropology that allowed me to transfer to Social Sciences after a year. Having the freedom to do other subjects gave me more of an idea what I wanted to do after university, but that next career is on hold until I’m done with my sporting career!

What was the most important lesson you learnt at the University of Adelaide?

The onus is on you to do the work, gain the knowledge and apply it. The academic staff members are great, but they are facilitators in the process – you are the driver.

What did you like most about your time at the University of Adelaide?

I loved the good times had by all at AUBC – the Adelaide University Boat Club. Being part of a uni club is so different from other sporting clubs (read: much more fun)! Going to Intervarsity Regattas, including the World Uni Games, was a great experience as well as a great time.