Student ambassador Stefania Longo says choosing Forensic Science was a ‘no-brainer’. “I’ve always been into science, and I’ve always been into law. I’ve watched so many crime-shows – it’s my thing. I’m passionate about it,” she says. “So, when I saw a degree that combines both, I was like, this is it!”
Now in her last semester of Bachelor of Forensic Science at UTS, Stefania completed her first year of studies at UTS College, with a Diploma of Science. She says, “Doing the HSC in 2020 was challenging for me. There was COVID of course, plus I was experiencing some personal issues. It meant I didn’t get the ATAR I was hoping for.” Still determined to find her way to UTS, Stefania was scrolling through Instagram and found some posts from UTS College. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is amazing. It’s exactly what I was looking for! I can do my diploma and go straight to second year at UTS.’”
Getting involved on and off campus
With COVID precautions still in place, Stefania remembers that everything was online during her first semester. “Not having the usual ways to meet other students, I joined a Discord Gamers Group. That’s when Bounthanh, the Student Events and Activities Coordinator asked if I’d volunteer to do a talk about the club. After that she told me there was an opening for a student ambassador. I didn’t know what to expect, but I got the job. We did a lot of panels back then, and even an online Welcome Week party. It was all fun, but it was ten times more enjoyable when everything was back on campus.”
The UTS College Diploma of Science opened the door to Stefania's dream degree.
Stefania says the ambassador role has taught her a lot. “You learn so much more about the university, how it works and how much it provides,” she says. “For me, it was all about studying science, so I’d really only looked at that aspect of UTS College. But as a student ambassador, I learned about what’s involved in enrolment and events and what it takes to represent the College. I’d done a little bit of leadership in high school – I was a prefect for environment, faith, social justice, and things like that. I knew how to run those little groups. But as a student ambassador it’s so much more. Sometimes It’s been a lot, but I’ve loved it, and my network grew massively.”
Leaving her comfort zone
One of her goals as an ambassador was to open up socially. She says, “I’m quite introverted, but this role has taken me out of my comfort zone. I’m more confident now. I’m social media director for the Forensic Science Alumni Club – and marketing director and events coordinator – and I also help out with the Science Alliance Club. I’m part of the CIAO Society too. My background is Italian.”
Patience and perseverance
As a small-statured person, Stefania has faced her share of challenges. She says, “Some things have been difficult because of my height, and I think that’s taught me resilience. I’ve learnt to be patient. I don’t give up, but it can be hard. There were jobs I missed out on because of my stature – I was classified as a safety risk. I didn’t really start working until I got this job at UTS College.” The College accommodated her needs in other ways too. “They were very understanding of disability, and so is UTS. I get a step in all my classes, and with exams and things like that I get rest breaks because I can’t write as fast without my hand hurting. Those little adjustments make a big difference.”
Living life to the full
With graduation not far away, Stefania’s considering further study. “I’ll either do an Honours program or go straight to my Masters,” she says. “I’m thinking about speech pathology and maybe combining that with forensics. In the future, I could work with victims who’ve gone through traumatic incidents. I could help if they can’t talk or express things. Or maybe be an expert witness.”
For now, Stefania’s living life to the full. She says, “I like playing tennis, going out with my friends for lunches or to the beach. But TV is good too. I’ve been rewatching Gossip Girl. And I read a lot, especially romance and fantasy. My favourite writer is Ali Hazelwood. She combines science and romance which is just right for me. Oh, and I love concerts. I think my favourite recently was Charlie Puth. He really knows how to engage with the audience.”
Stefania says if she could share just one piece of advice for other students it would be this: “Never give up because you can always get to where you want to be, even if it takes a little bit longer.”
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