Amy Alaouze, a UWA graduate who interned with the Public Sector Commission (the Commission) during the final semester of her Commerce degree, was recently named as one of the latest recipients of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s Outstanding Intern Award.
Amy’s research internship supported work on the Commission’s Workforce Diversification and Inclusion Strategy. Her supervisor nominated her for the Award, saying she had become an invaluable part of the team during her internship.
“I majored in Business Law and Human Resources Management, and applied for an internship with the McCusker Centre as I loved the idea of being involved in projects that help resolve social issues. I had previous experience in a community-focused job before I started my degree, and I really wanted to gain some experience that connected my degree to this kind of work,” Amy said.
“I worked on a project that looked at direct and non-direct employment pathways in the public sector for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as people with disabilities. My primary role was researching what other government entities, Australian states and countries were doing, and collating my research into a digestible presentation,” she said.
Anna Thomas, Policy and Programs Officer Workforce Diversity and Inclusion with the Commission, commended Amy’s research efforts, noting she had provided a huge body of relevant information which was accessible to a range of stakeholders.
“Amy synthesised content into digestible lists of information with links for ease of reference and a range of summaries providing depth and context,” Ms Thomas said.
“Amy enjoyed the work and gained an understanding of its benefit and the potential impact her research could have on agencies and members of the community who stand to benefit from greater employment opportunities.
“She was an exceptional intern and exemplifies a perfect harmony of what can be achieved with a good match between student and host and the right supports in place for all parties,” she said.
For Amy, the internship was a valuable learning experience, an opportunity to expand her network in the lead up to graduation, and a chance to bolster transferrable skills.
“I am now more aware of social issues impacting our community, and I learned that my personal contributions can make a difference as part of larger projects.
“I am so grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Outstanding Intern Award; I thoroughly enjoyed my internship with the Commission and want to thank my amazing mentors for their support and guidance.”
Amy was one of eight UWA students and recent graduates named as recipients of the Award, selected from a strong field of 65 nominees who undertook internships from June 2023 to July 2024.
The Awards were presented on 10 October at UWA by McCusker Charitable Foundation Directors the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA and Judge Denis Reynolds AM, and Professor Tim Colmer, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UWA.