My lecturer, Paul Adams, said we were graduating at a difficult time when there would be lots of competition for jobs. He was right.

I saw the course's compulsory three-week work placement as an opportunity to differentiate myself from other job applicants.

Ambulance Victoria was where I wanted to work and they accepted me.

I opted to do my placement over three continuous weeks so I’d get a feel for everyday life as things in the workplace can be very different to how they’re taught in the classroom.

After an induction, my manager threw me in the deep end by telling me to arrange sponsorship for a major event celebrating the 21st anniversary of female paramedics.

It was a fun and crazy three weeks. On my last day I was asked if I wanted to work for Ambulance Victoria on the days I wasn’t at university. A year later and I’m here full time.

Passion is important. If it’s something you really want to do, then you’ll always do well.

Working as a media officer was exactly the direction I wanted to take after uni and I surprised even myself by being exactly where I wanted right after graduation.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Communication (PR) that Lauren completed, now running as the Bachelor of Communication.