University of Wollongong Creative Arts Alumni, Hannah Diviney is encouraging students to stop waiting until graduation to pursue opportunities and start making their mark now.
She’s a writer, actor and passionate advocate for equality.
Ms Diviney has built her career around creativity and advocacy, using her experiences to challenge perceptions of disability and representation.
Reflecting on her journey since leaving UOW, Ms Diviney said she still finds it difficult to comprehend how her life has turned out.
“I’m just me, chilling in my hoodie and track pants, and thousands of people are paying attention to what I am saying or doing; it’s crazy,” she said
Rather than waiting until she felt or ready, Ms Diviney recalls going after her dreams while she was studying.
“You have to jump before you’re ready,” Ms Diviney said.
“If you wait until you’re ready, you find that you’ll always be waiting for something.”
Ms Diviney said waiting for the perfect opportunity or right amount of confidence to take new things on could actually be holding back students, stalling their momentum.
“You just have to jump in the deep end and recognise that no one else can do the work that you do.”
For Ms Diviney, taking risks also means accepting that mistakes are inevitable.
She encouraged students to embrace their individuality rather than trying to appear indifferent about the things that they care about, acknowledging the pressure of studying at a tertiary level.
“Embrace the cheese, be the opposite of nonchalant,” Ms Diviney said.
“Even though it feels all consuming and overwhelming, try to be gentle with yourself.”
Her advice extends beyond simply pursuing career opportunities, as Ms Diviney urges students to continue creating art, using their voices to advocate for issues they believe in.
For Ms Diviney, the message is simple.
Don’t wait.
