Meet Olivia: Olivia is studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in gender and sexuality studies. Unsure of the career path to take, Olivia took on a variety of classes in her first year. Gender and sexuality studies has opened up options for Olivia in pursing a career in an area she is most passionate about.
Can you tell us why you chose to study Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS)?
Olivia: I initially started studying at Deakin University in a Bachelor of Arts because the broadness of the degree appealed to me. I wasn’t sure on the path I wanted to take yet, so I took a variety of classes to see what fascinated me. Doing a unit in gender and sexuality studies changed my path as it opened my eyes to so many more areas of study that I thought possible. Learning about feminism has always been such a big passion of mine and I felt like I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to share with a group of like-minded people, so pursuing this path of study was a really good choice for me.
What did you like the most about studying GSS at Deakin?
Olivia: I like studying gender and sexuality studies at Deakin University because of the passion that the professors bring to the subjects. Each professor has such love for the study topics and that really comes through in their teaching, and the content assigned always makes me so excited to keep learning. I also wanted to surround myself in an environment with similar-minded people so I could have healthy conversations with my peers regarding feminism and other ideas about the world, and Deakin has created a really positive and inclusive environment for those conversations to happen.
Was there anything you learned in GSS that you weren’t expecting to learn when you first came to GSS?
Olivia: Before I started a GSS unit, I thought my understanding of feminism was already very broad and intersectional. But since studying gender studies for the last couple of years, my understanding of the world around me has grown so dramatically. There is always more information to learn and experiences to hear about and through studying GSS at Deakin University, it has really encouraged me to be as open minded as I can be.
Each professor has such love for the study topics and that really comes through in their teaching, and the content assigned always makes me so excited to keep learning.
How does GSS relate to your study in other areas?
Olivia: I study GSS part-time and remotely, and this area of study strongly encourages me to absorb media and outside content in a more mindful way. It has inspired me to change the way I observe personal interactions, films, books and anything that I come across.
How do you think GSS will help you in your career?
Olivia: Through my learning in gender and sexuality studies, I have learnt skills in empathy and how to look at other people’s experiences with a more open heart. I believe this will be very important in any career that I choose to pursue because having an open heart and mind is always a gift.
Who do you think would enjoy studying GSS?
Olivia: Any person who enjoys learning about different experiences that don’t necessarily reflect their own life will enjoy studying gender and sexuality studies. I believe studying GSS really encourages me to be the best person that I can be.
Olivia is studying Deakin University’s Bachelor of Arts.
For more information about studying Gender and Sexuality Studies as a major visit www.deakin.edu.au/courses/major/gender-and-sexuality-studies-bachelor-arts and the Gender and Sexuality Studies blog.