Career Summary:

Grace Sweet’s path into public policy wasn’t linear, but it was shaped by curiosity, applied learning and a growing desire to make a meaningful impact. While her initial career plan was to join the police force, her studies revealed that meaningful, real‑world impact could also be made behind the scenes - particularly through policy‑making, which was a core-unit in the Bachelor of Criminology. That realisation soon evolved into a clear direction, leading her to accept the offer to accelerate into the Master of Public Policy and pursue a field where she could contribute in a practical, meaningful way.

Through internships and roles across justice, accreditation and community safety, Grace developed an approach to policy that is grounded, people‑focused and driven by improving real outcomes for communities. Today, as a Policy & Doctrine Coordinator in the emergency services sector, she channels that passion into work that supports volunteers, strengthens public safety and helps shape policy with real‑world impact.

Career Pathway:

• 2024–present – Policy & Doctrine Coordinator, Country Fire Authority (CFA)
• 2024 – Policy Officer (Intern), Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
• 2022 – Program Evaluator (Intern), Department of Justice & Community Safety, Victoria
• 2022 – Guest Lecturer, Monash University (ATS3 Unit)

Education

• Master of Public Policy, Monash University, 2022 – 2024
• Bachelor of Criminology, Monash University, 2020 – 2022

Why did you choose to study at Monash and the Bachelor of Criminology and Master of Public Policy?

I chose Monash for the location and campus, and started in the Bachelor of Arts before transferring into Criminology after enjoying an introductory unit. I hadn’t planned on uni - let alone a Masters - but I was enjoying my studies, and the invitation to accelerate into the Master of Public Policy was presented to me at the right time.

What university clubs or student organisations were you involved in during your studies?

I was part of the Monash Criminology Student Association during Covid. Everything was online, so events were limited, but it still allowed me to make connections, build friendships, and meet people outside my immediate course who shared similar interests.

How did the internships or practical experiences enhance your career skills and employability?

Internships were invaluable for building my technical skills and giving me real, practical experience to draw on in job interviews. I completed two internships: one at the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and one at the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

The internship at DJCS wasn’t a requirement of my degree, but after connecting with a Principal Policy Officer in the former Community Crime Prevention Unit through LinkedIn, I was able to take it on alongside my studies as a Monash student. During my Master of Public Policy, I chose the coursework option over doing a thesis, which allowed me to complete an internship at APAC.

These experiences gave me concrete examples to speak to in interviews and helped me understand how policy work functions in practice. The industry recommendations that came from them were valuable as well. Even though neither internship directly led to my current role, they were genuinely formative experiences that strengthened my skills, confidence and employability.

What skills or knowledge did you gain during your degree that you are still use in your role?

I use many of the skills from my degrees, especially policy analysis, writing, research and stakeholder engagement. The theoretical and practical foundations from Criminology and the Master of Public Policy help me understand social issues, potential solutions and how policy works in real‑world settings.

What key steps or experiences guided you toward your current role?

Undertaking internships was a crucial step in my journey toward my current role. Getting that hands‑on experience meant I could show real practical capability, professional readiness and that I could fit easily into a workplace. When I started applying for roles, I focused on opportunities that genuinely aligned with my interests and values. For my current role in particular, I remember doing a lot of preparation before the interview because I really wanted to show my enthusiasm and how well the role matched what I am passionate about.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy contributing to public safety and working with people who care about supporting the Victorian community. A lot of my work happens behind the scenes, but knowing it helps volunteers and improves operations makes it genuinely satisfying.

Why is public policy important for today’s society?

Realising the power of public policy was a real turning point for me. Once you understand how policy shapes systems, services and people’s everyday lives, you realise how important and rewarding this field is. It’s a field with a lot of different pathways, all with the potential to make practical improvements for communities/lives.

What advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

Keep your mind open and treat every experience - good or bad - as a learning opportunity. For recent graduates, the same applies: say yes to opportunities, back yourself, and every step helps you figure out what you do and don’t want to do.

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Published in April 2026