Balancing life, career and study: Isabelle Patterson’s journey at CAP
Isabelle Patterson is no stranger to challenges. As a mother to a two-year-old, a dedicated government professional, and a student in the Master of Regulation and Governance program at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific (CAP), she’s expertly juggling a demanding trifecta.
After becoming a mother in 2022 and surfacing from what she calls “pandemic boredom,” Isabelle was eager for a new challenge.
“I reached a point where I wanted to specialise and pursue a professional development pathway with international recognition,” she says.
With a background working in the ACT government since 2018, Isabelle felt ready to elevate her career. This ambition led her to the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) in CAP, where she enrolled in the Master of Regulation and Governance. Empowered with advanced education, Isabelle aims to re-enter the workforce equipped with a renewed set of skills and deep expertise in governance issues.
She is confident that her master’s degree will empower her to effectively lead teams, contribute valuable knowledge to her workplace and continue her professional growth.
“I want to be able to lead teams [in the ACT government] creating and enforcing regulation and governance from a position of authority and expertise,” Isabelle shares.
The past few years have been a time of significant growth for Isabelle — professionally, academically and personally. Her journey as a student and a parent has been a steep “learning curve,” revealing unexpected connections between her master’s coursework on good governance and the principles of parenting.
“Creating good regulations for large social groups is very similar in some ways to parenting a toddler – who wants independence and autonomy. You have to give them the illusion of choice,” she reflects.
“If you can set up a system that a toddler can follow it’s probably pretty good,” she added.
The Master of Regulation and Governance covers a broad array of complex and rapidly changing issues. From transformative technologies to managing catastrophic risk, the degree is designed to equip students with the tools to navigate and shape the future of governance.
During her studies, Isabelle has further developed her understanding of what effective regulation means and the importance of having a diverse set of skills.
“Studying at RegNet has reaffirmed that to be a good regulator, you need to work across various domains, from health to education regulation.
“It has been challenging in a good way to explore different aspects of regulation across various subjects, including those at the Crawford School of Public Policy,” she says.
Despite her academic success—achieving top grades—Isabelle has faced her share of challenges. Balancing her career, studies and parenting responsibilities hasn’t been easy, but the program’s flexibility and diverse course options have been key to her success.
“It is important to find the right balance between your work, family, and studies. I have been really lucky to have supportive lecturers, managers, and family,” she says.
Her advice to anyone considering the Master's of Regulation and Governance at CAP is to “give it a try.” She emphasises the supportive environment at the College, where deadlines are manageable, and various participation methods accommodate busy lives.
“Even if it feels intimidating or overwhelming, focus on taking it one step at a time,” she advises.
Looking ahead, Isabelle hopes to be a role model for her son, instilling in him a love for learning and the value of education. As she approaches the completion of her master’s program at the end of this year, the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific wishes her continued success in her studies and future career.
If you would like to find out more about the Master of Regulation and Governance and explore your options, visit our site.