Our Staff

A work-life balance for mature workers

Helen Pattinson’s current job as project officer in the faculty office is the latest in a rich career that has taken her as far away as swinging-60s London.

After working as a personal assistant in a variety of roles in the private and public sector, Helen came to Monash on a two-week temp placement, and has stayed for almost a decade.

In 2007, Helen became assistant to Faculty Manager Andrew Evans, but in 2008 reduced her hours and moved to a new role as project officer, in which she supports senior members of the faculty office and also assists with tasks such as proof-reading the faculty’s premium publications and booking travel for senior staff.

Her three-day weekend allows her the time to care for her elderly mother, and to meet with friends, see movies and potter around the garden.

“I was finding a two-day weekend was not enough time to do all the things I had to do, plus time to enjoy friends, family and all the other things that are the reason we work,” she says.

A Family Faculty

Mischelle Hodge came to the Monash in 2008 as a project officer working for the manager of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and initially looked after the rollout of the clinical placements database. Project management was a new direction for Mischelle, who had mainly worked in forensics as a fingerprint examiner in both Australia and the United States.

“I was looking to broaden my capabilities, because fingerprints is such an area of specialty that it’s difficult to translate it into something else,” she says.

“I was four months pregnant when I arrived, and they took me on board knowing that I would be leaving in five months’ time on maternity leave. And they were terrific to hold the position for me even though I hadn’t yet earned formal maternity leave.”

When her son Mason was four months old, Mischelle returned to work for four days per week. But not everything went to plan.

“With children, you often catch a lot of different viruses and things that they bring back from daycare.”

She reduced her hours to three days per week to adjust, but her number of sick leave days was still taking a blow from her staying home to care for Mason whenever he picked up a bug. As a solution, the faculty agreed to let Mischelle work from home on those days.

When Mischelle works from the office, Mason stays at the Monash Community Family Co-op. The proximity of the co-op allows Mischelle the comfort of dropping in and seeing him when necessary, including for his recent first birthday celebrations. The co-op has been an important part of the support she receives from Monash, their open communication and friendliness making for an easier transition back into the workforce.

Helping staff to fulfil their potential

Danny Ong started his time at Monash in 2002 at Monash College, and subsequently completed a double degree in Arts (Psychology) and Business (Management) in 2005, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 2006.

After working in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for several years, Danny came to work part-time at the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

“I joined the Faculty in July 2009 as an international projects coordinator. Basically, my role is to help the Faculty to manage its international projects in the Southeast Asia region: to look for new international opportunities; to facilitate discussions with governments and other external organisations; and to improve the international student experiences,” he says.

Danny last year published a guide for international students called The International Student’s Handbook: Living and Studying in Australia sharing the knowledge that he learned the hard way after arriving from Singapore. He is now completing a PhD on the experience of international students in Australia.

“I guess I wanted to make a difference. In order to facilitate better policies, the only option is to convince policy makers through research and PhD is the way to go. Also I am offered an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship - it is a rare opportunity for me,” he says.

“I am very fortunate that the Faculty has provided me with flexible working hours to support my PhD work… In some cases I may need to commit more time for my faculty work due to the urgency involved. But subsequently I can spend more time on my PhD,” he says of his work arrangement.

“As my research involves universities, working in one brings about additional insights.”