Anna Carrick is a Human Resources Consultant at ANU College of Law.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself including what brought you to ANU.
I started at ANU in January 2010 after relocating from Hobart. The job market isn’t (and still isn’t) great for when you have graduated from university, so a lot of people relocate (Melbourne/Canberra the popular places) to start their career.
2. What do you enjoy most about working at the ANU College of Law?
This is the second College I’ve worked in while at ANU, and for the longest amount of time for a reason. It’s a very close-knit College and it’s easy to communicate with and develop healthy relationships with people.
3. What is your favourite spot on campus?
Under the trees at Sullivans Creek or University Avenue near Kambri in autumn when all the trees are losing their leaves
4. How do you relax away from university?
Outside of work it's mainly getting outside and enjoying nature – bushwalking, swimming, day trips outside Canberra or keeping the garden up to scratch
5. How would you describe Canberra in three words?
Not just politics
6. What inspired you to pursue your professional field?
Human resources (HR) wasn’t my initial career choice. I ended up with a graduate role in the Tasmanian State Government within the HR area of primary industries, parks and environment. Turns out I enjoyed it a lot as it has a wide range of areas to choose from, and if you’re a "people person" it suits your personality as well.
7. What was your dream job as a child?
Vet (until realising you had to be amazing at science)
8. If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be?
Amelia Earhart
9. Who’s your favourite fictional character?
It’s a group, but have always loved the oompa-loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
10. What’s a project or hobby you’re currently working on that motivates you?
It’s currently on hold, but the communal jigsaw of the M&Ms/Smarties on Level 3 of Building 7. We will get it done this year!
11. What’s your favourite quote?
“If you don’t ask the answer will always be no.”
12. What’s the secret to working from home successfully?
Getting up at the normal hour (and just taking a bit longer to have that morning cup of tea/coffee). Also, never having the work area somewhere you associate with sleep or relaxation time.
13. Who is someone you look up to?
In general, those people who have enough resilience to keep reaching their goals. One example is Daniel Menzel (AFL player for Geelong, now Sydney) who has undergone four knee reconstructions in his career and just keeps pushing to play top-level football.
14. What was the last book you read?
Reading books is not really my thing unless it includes the Sunday newspaper or travel books like Lonely Planet
15. What’s an underrated movie?
Watching movies is also not really my thing, but I always think The Castle (1997) is underrated. Can always watch that one.
16. What’s your favourite dish?
A fresh piece of blue-eye trevalla or kingfish with chips (may as well throw in the salad)
17. What’s your favourite place in Canberra to visit?
The Handmade Market when it’s on at Exhibition Park in Canberra, or the National Portrait Gallery when they have the entrants up for the National Photographic Portrait Prize
18. What’s your favourite song or playlist to work to?
We always have Triple J on in the background at work (no advertisements!) as background music. Fridays = heavy metal day, we have learned.
19. What’s a skill you’d like to learn?
How to surf and sign language
20. What advice would you give to others feeling uneasy during this time?
Keep things in perspective (only get small doses of the news) and maintain a work/life balance.
See more Humans of ANU Law here