Social science degree leads to rewarding careers
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Social science degree leads to rewarding careers

Allastassia Carter's passion for social justice drives her to inspire future First Nations leaders in the APS.

Allastassia Carter

Growing up in Moree as a proud Gamilaraay and Ngarabul woman, Allastassia Carter learned the importance of Indigenous representation in government and decision-making roles.

Having a keen interest in politics and social justice, she opted for a Bachelor of Social Science at Macquarie through the Walanga Muru pathway program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

“Before my interview, I spoke with an amazing first year advisor who was so engaging and passionate. That conversation, and the support the Walanga Muru program provides, were the reasons I chose to study at Macquarie,” Allastassia says.

Throughout her time at university Allastassia remained strongly connected to her Indigenous culture and community. As well as being a Walanga Muru cadet, she served as an Indigenous SRC representative, participated in youth advocacy work and also completed four internships.

Allastassia’s internships gave her a wealth of experience across different organisations and sectors, including the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Fujitsu Australia, Research Australia and the Parliament of NSW.

“What was most beneficial about my internships was being in those different spheres,” Allastassia says. “Having experience in the private and public sectors, seeing how the two work differently and being able to network and build those connections was invaluable.”

Pathways to the future

After completing her degree, Allastassia completed a Graduate Program through Services Australia, and now works as a Project Officer at the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) designing and leading First Nations recruitment and talent programs, including SES100.

SES100 supports the Government’s commitment to boost First Nations employment across the APSC by increasing First Nations leadership representation at the senior executive level to 100 by 2024-2025.

“Originally the number of First Nations people in those senior leadership roles within the APSC was only 44, so our aim is to increase that through a recruitment process. We received over 200 applications, which is incredible, and have shortlisted 39 First Nations people,” Allastassia says.

Different agencies from across the APSC are able to draw from the SES100 merit pool to promote these candidates and increase First Nations representation.

“These people are so skilled and passionate, so the work is incredible and very rewarding. We are very focused on candidate care, putting participants first and ensuring we have a culturally safe recruitment process to increase that First Nations representation,” Allastassia says.

Sharni Wilson is an Assistant Director at the First Nations Unit of the Workforce and Inclusion Strategies Group at the APSC, and says she was impressed with Allastassia’s passion and strong sense of justice when they first started working together.

“Allastassia’s drive and commitment to see results was present from the start. Towards the end of her graduate program, I was approached by the APSC to undertake an 18-month transfer to lead high-profile programs under the Boosting First Nations Employment initiative,” Sharni says.

“I advocated to bring Allastassia along for the ride and she has been amazing. She is a lifelong learner and a strong voice for her people, contributing to making necessary changes that directly contribute to Closing the Gap.”

Connect with Macquarie Alumni community

When you graduate from Macquarie University, you become part of our talented and diverse alumni community that spans the globe. With thought leadership and networking events wherever you are, you can connect with other alumni, find a future employer or employee, and more. So stay connected and let us know where your journey takes you. That’s you to the power of us.

Degree: Bachelor of Social Science. Graduated 2022.

My job: Project Officer, the Australian Public Service Commission

Three ways MQ supported me to be job-ready:

  1. Experience through internships. “Working across different sectors has given me valuable insights from both government and NGO perspectives.”
  2. Professional development. “Through the MQ professional development program I learned interview skills, how to apply for graduate programs and jobs, how to write a pitch and network. Each stage included different activities and also had face-to-face components; it was very helpful.”
  3. Mentoring. “I participated in the Waranara Mentoring program, which provides high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate students with an enhanced experience through one-on-one mentoring from an academic within their faculty. It really helped me prepare for life post-graduation, and having someone to talk to about my field, my area of study, and being able to hear her insights and pick her brain was so useful.”
  4. How I apply what I learned at Macquarie in the workplace: “My degree taught me key skills like critical analysis and how to interpret qualitative and quantitative data. My managers often comment on my strong writing and reporting skills too.”
  5. Advice to prospective students: “Follow your passions and use your voice. University is a time to get to know yourself and grow. For Indigenous students, a lot of us are the first ones in our family to even go to university. Our old people fought for the opportunities we have so remember you are meant to be there. You have every right to be there.”