UWA Master of Public Policy (Public Administration & Governance) student Lauren Kohlen applied her skills in policy and governance to assist in a compliance review project during her McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH).
Lauren was motivated to apply for an internship to gain practical experience while contributing to a project with clear community benefit.
“My decision to apply for a McCusker internship was driven by a curiosity to undertake a project, driven by community benefit whilst gaining exposure to industry connections and understanding potential employment opportunities,” she said.
During her internship, Lauren assisted with a project, identified as a priority by the Director General, designed to guide compliance processes, strengthen governance practices and inform broader departmental strategy.
Her supervisor, Adelyn Siew, recognised Lauren’s strong contribution to the project.
“Lauren has demonstrated a high level of professionalism throughout her internship at the Department,” she said. “She has shown initiative beyond expectations and has contributed significantly to the project.”
A highlight of Lauren’s internship was attending an International Women’s Day event hosted by the department, where she observed governance and corporate affairs in action beyond day-to-day project work.
“This stood out as a rewarding element because it offered a rare chance to see corporate affairs in action beyond desk work, witnessing senior leaders’ inclusive policies through real-time discussions on topics like equitable hiring practices and flexible work models,” she said.
One of the most challenging aspects of the internship was navigating unfamiliar land use planning and management frameworks. Despite her background in law and policy-related studies, Lauren initially found the scope complex but developed her understanding through collaboration across the department.
Reflecting on her experience, Lauren said the internship reshaped her understanding of compliance in a government context.
“Throughout my studies compliance appeared as a static checklist. The placement has deepened my understanding of its dynamic nature; requiring constant adaption to evolving operational process, inter-agency coordination and risk forecasting to prevent non-compliance issues,” she said.
Through her work, Lauren contributed to strengthening internal decision-making and improving how compliance is monitored and managed across the department.
“My work also contributes to government transparency and operational integrity,” she said. “Ultimately empowering communities by ensuring projects adhere to standards, foster public trust and support sustainable development that creates jobs and improves the quality of life for WA residents.”
Lauren believes the experience has had a significant impact on her professional development.
“My experience will undoubtedly propel my professional life by building practical expertise in regulatory compliance and governance,” she said.
Lauren strongly recommends a McCusker Centre internship to other students.
“Opportunities offered by McCusker allowed me to get outside of my comfort zone, undertake a project I otherwise may have shied away from and gain exposure to industry insights,” she said.