Marcus Butler
13 April 2016: Ellen Grady has collected her third degree from the University of Canberra when she graduates with a Master of Strategic Communication at Parliament House on 7 April.
Ms Grady started her University journey in 2009, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Bachelor of Public Relations in 2012. Despite vowing not to return to the books, Ms Grady enrolled in a Masters course a year later.
"Continuing with my Masters really came down to being able to find the work-life-study balance and through flexible online learning at UC, I did that," she explains. "The units were well designed to be applicable in the real world and balance the academic requirements with practitioner experience."
At one point, the 26-year-old lived, worked and studied at the University, living on campus and working for the former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Development and Engagement in 2011.
Ms Grady said she also enjoyed undertaking a research project of her own choice, which examined media agenda setting and framing of female politicians, including former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, for a female audience. She described it as "daunting, but also the most satisfying part of my studies".
"Now having completed a research project I think there's a flame that has been lit inside me and I found a passion to examine the media's fickle relationship with gender equality. My current work for the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis hasn't helped me escape the possibility of a PhD in the future."
Read about more of our recent graduates:
UC honours graduate delves into hidden collections
Single mum graduates with masters degree
PhD graduate fights the invasion of the cloning snails
Grad finds success in exercise physiology
Comms grad chases advertising dream
UC grad follows forensic dreams
IT grad flies in from Saudi Arabia
Sports-mad Sean snags double degree
