Madeline Hislop, July 29, 2024

As an executive in the government sector, Carlyn Waters was committed to serving the public and never thought she’d work in academia. However, the support of a key sponsor propelled her career forward in a number of ways she couldn’t have predicted. 

Waters was working in the Australian public service as a Director of Heritage in the Department of the Environment and Energy when she was sponsored to move into another role that opened her career prospects. 

It was a corporate services role as an interim Assistant Secretary responsible for Security, Property and Ministerial Services with the former Department of the Environment and Energy. Later, Waters went on to secure a promotion to be an Assistant Secretary for the Director of National Parks.

Waters said the experience of having a more senior colleague advocate for both the opportunity and her promotion was game-changing.