Students in Focus
How the UC Creative Comp launched Aisling’s social media career
Back in 2020, Aisling Ellis’s high school teacher encouraged her to submit an entry to the University of Canberra’s Creative Competition – without this, she might not be studying at UC today.
“In Year 11 and 12 I took a design unit, and my teacher was really good. She taught us the industry standards, and how to use Adobe,” Aisling says.
“She was the one that told me about the Creative Comp and encouraged me to submit an entry.”
The UC Creative Competition allows students in Years 11 and 12 to submit their best piece of creative work for a chance to win prizes, including study grants towards a degree with UC’s Faculty of Arts and Design. Submissions can take any form – from poetry to graphic design to fashion.
With her teacher’s support, Aisling submitted her major assignment from the design class – two unique fashion pieces she’d created, complete with 3D printed details.
She didn’t think much of it ...until she returned from a three-week “schoolies” holiday to find a surprise email in her inbox – it confirmed she was a major prize winner for 2020 and had secured a six-month study grant and a cash prize.
“I was so excited! I had been looking into other universities, but once I got the email to say I’d won the Creative Comp, I decided I’d be going to UC,” Aisling says.
Aisling has a talent for graphic design and knew she wanted to work in the creative industry in the future, so she enrolled in a double degree, combining a Bachelor of Design with a Bachelor of Communications and Media.
The combination of the two degrees would help grow her technical graphic design skillset, while empowering her with the agency to make marketing and business decisions to support her creative work.
“While I’m definitely more drawn to the creative side, I thought it is valuable to know how to market my work. It could also open up future opportunities for me in other areas of communications,” Aisling says.
Now that she had been accepted to study at UC, Aisling had to make a major move from her home in the Southern Highlands, NSW, to begin her studies.
“My mum went to university, and she was really adamant that I should go too, and that I should live on campus,” Aisling says.
Initially, I had a lot of anxiety and had to push myself out of my comfort zone a lot in that first year, but she was right, it was completely worth it. I’ve got to the point where I’m not held back by feelings of anxiety now.
In that first year, Aisling landed in a five-share at UC’s Cooper Lodge. Living out of home for the first time was an adjustment, but before long she had learned the ropes, become good friends with her roommates, and even discovered some new things about herself along the way.
“I found out I quite liked cooking actually! As for cleaning, none of us were quite as good at that,” Aisling laughs.
While she naturally fell into a rhythm with the pace of her design units, the communications side of her studies didn’t come as naturally. She found essay writing challenging, and reached out to her tutors for help.
“I asked my tutors if I could submit drafts, and they were always willing to provide feedback,” Aisling says.
“They told me where I could improve and what resources I could read to fills gaps in my understanding. They were always very supportive.”
Now in her fourth year of studies, Aisling is already working in the social media industry, managing the online presence of two clients.
“My friend had an idea for an antique furniture business and needed someone to help with the marketing and social media side, so she brought me on as a contractor,” Aisling says.
"I handle the social media – make graphics and come up with funny little captions – I’ve also designed fliers and brochures."
She’s also just weeks away from starting her first internship, where she’ll be working alongside other UC alumni at Ivy Social – a social media marketing agency founded by Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award winner Emily Coates, while she was still a student at UC herself.
While her career is already well and truly off and running, when reflecting on the beginning of her journey, there are three key pieces of advice Aisling would provide.
“My advice would be to live on campus, even if it means moving away from your home. You really do learn so much from the experience and I grew a lot in that time,” Aisling says.
“Always reach out for help if you need it, there are resources available.”
“A major highlight of university for me has been winning the Creative Comp. It was a great feeling. I would definitely recommend it to others who are interested in studying at UC.”
Story by Kelly White, photos by Liam Budge