Joshua Dymock / Learning Skills Advisor, Learning and Teaching Centre
How long have you been at Macquarie?
Six years, plus four as a student – but that was before many of our current first-year students were even born.
What is your favourite thing about working at Macquarie?
What I really love is that although the various academic disciplines are incredibly diverse, the unique culture within each discipline unites a group of people who are otherwise totally diverse themselves, in terms of cultural backgrounds, gender, sexuality, religious and political beliefs.
What was your earliest childhood career aspiration?
I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I haven’t given up on that one yet, although a lack of both talent and fitness may yet prove insurmountable obstacles.
In your job, what question are you most often asked?
It’s not so much a question asked in my job as a question asked about my job. When I tell people I’m a Learning Adviser I generally get a blank stare, followed by a long pause, followed by a question along the lines of “so what’s that then?”
What would you want to learn if given the chance to learn it instantly?
Everything! So much to learn, so little time (and in my case, brain power). Mind you, I’d settle for being able to learn how to get my kids to sleep beyond 4:30am in the morning.
Something not many people know about me is…
I was born in Papua New Guinea, right around the time they gained independence from Australia. Sometimes I wonder if my birth contributed to PNG deciding they wanted nothing more to do with Australia!
If money were no object, what would you like to achieve?
There’s an NGO in Cambodia where native English speakers can volunteer to teach English for three months to kids who pay relatively modest fees. The money raised from the fees is distributed to community projects in rural areas. If money were no object I’d like to start up something similar in other developing countries.
Is there a question you’d like to be asked?
There are in fact several questions I’d like to be asked:
- Would you like to take up our newly established role as a professional beer taster?
- Are you by any chance George Clooney’s younger (but much better looking) brother?
- I’ve got a million dollars that I just can’t work out what to do with, would you mind taking it off my hands?
- Barcelona FC urgently needs a new striker for the upcoming season, are you available?