Anne Marie Ionescu
Anne Marie Ionescu
- Year completed 2018
- Current position Assistant Director, ACCC
- Degree(s) Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
- Specialisation Criminology, International relations, Psychology
Career Summary
Anne Marie is a driven and community-minded professional who brings warmth, leadership, and strategic insight to every role she takes on. Currently an Assistant Director at the ACCC, Anne Marie has built a diverse career across federal government agencies including the Australian Energy Regulator and Department of Social Services, where she led teams and managed complex case coordination. Her early career reflects her deep passion for equity and inclusion, working as a Disability Support Worker at Monash University, a Student Mentor, and a long-time Senior Official with Basketball Australia.
A Monash Arts alum, Anne Marie credits her degree—and the vibrant university community—for shaping her adaptability, global perspective, and lifelong love of learning. Whether mentoring students, presenting at orientation, or studying overseas, she made the most of every opportunity. Her advice to students? Learn the tech, ask the questions, and say yes—you never know where it might lead.
Career Pathway
Dec 2023 - present: Assistant Director, ACCC
Feb 2023 - Dec 2023: Assistant Director, Australian Energy Regulator
Feb 2022 - Feb 2023: Strategy Manager/Product Owner, ACCC
Mar 2021 - Feb 2022: Data Scientist
Nov 2020 - Mar 2021: Team Leader, Department of Social Services
Sep 2019 - Nov 2020: Specialist Case Coordinator, Department of Social Services
Sep 2019 - Feb 2020: Case Coordinator, Australian Government Department of Human Services
Feb 2015 - Sep 2019: Student Mentor, Vermont Secondary College
Dec 2010 - Sep 2019: Senior Official, Basketball Australia
Mar 2015 - Dec 2018: Disability Support Worker, Monash University
Career Journey Questions
What advice do you wish someone had shared with you on your first day at Monash?
Even if you are not studying a technology degree, make sure to learn as much as you can about data, analytics, and technology systems. They underpin every aspect of your working day and developing a strong foundation will serve you well. From as simple as how to use Outlook most effectively to as complicated as how to create and understand data reports across industry reporting systems (i.e., PowerBI) these skills are invaluable in any career you take and allow you to really focus on the work you love.
How did the Monash Arts community support your growth and ambitions during your studies?
I received access to mentors across multiple areas of study - I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Science double degree - where I found I was more interested in a topic, my tutors and lecturers were always open to discussing this in more detail or providing me with resources to expand my knowledge. I found the course coordinators to also be integral to my growth. I finished my degrees with 3 majors and 1 minor and I also undertook international travel and an internship. This required planning, organising, and good guidance, all of which I received from various staff within the Arts community throughout the entirety of my double degree.
Were you involved in any activities that enriched your university experience, such as, student organisations or clubs, internships or study abroad?
I was involved quite a bit across areas I never expected to be involved in.
While at Monash I,
- Joined the Monash Student Association (MSA) as a volunteer - We hosted camps every summer, got the 'vibe going' for orientation, and held multiple events across the semester from live music to parties, to city trips for International students. I then became a ‘Host’ and continued to develop my leadership skills.
- Worked for the Disability Support Services - I met people from very diverse backgrounds, partook in other courses, represented the University, and used the income to fund my degree and travel.
- Travelled overseas for summer and winter courses - I visited Italy, America, Norway, made friends with people from different universities and accelerated my course.
- Undertook an internship - I received real-life experience applying what I learned in my degree and opened up a career pathway at the end of my studies.
- Spoke as a guest speaker - I spoke at orientation week, internships sessions, and course information sessions.
- Participated in the Monash Future Leaders program and undertook professional development and volunteered for 50 hours.
What advice would you give to new students about making the most of their time at Monash - both academically and socially?
Get involved! There is a club for you, there is a subject you didn’t know you’d like, and there are people who will become your close confidants and post-university friends. You can study overseas, learn another language after class, or learn to tango, you will find something you just need to be willing to try. It’s okay if it’s not for you, I found every semester a good time to try something new.
Ask questions; be curious. You are surrounded by great thinkers, amazing story-tellers, and well travelled people, make the most of it by being curious. The more you ask the quicker you will train your mind to think critically.
In what ways has your Monash Arts degree shaped your career or personal journey?
It gave me a secure job in an area I can grow in with the skills to be able to adapt to the challenges thrown my way. I identified what I am interested in and what I might choose not to spend time looking into. I like variety and this degree provided the basis for just that. The people I met during my studies have also stayed by me and I find myself at times seeking their advice and how they apply their skills to their roles. I feel that my Arts degree will support me well because I can use it for such a diverse range of jobs and I can follow my interests wherever they take me.
From your perspective, why are studies in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences essential in today’s society?
You form the ‘glue’ of society. There are the makers, the creators, and the organisers, and your degree will help you bring these people and their teams together. Whether it is developing rules and policies as guidance, or lending an ear as a counsellor, your role is abundant in society and essential. You will likely become the ‘generalist’ supporting the ’specialist’, an incredibly rewarding job where you will see variety, work with diverse stakeholders, tackle challenging and complex problems, and if you choose, shift careers based on new interests and uncovered skills.