Jessica Macrae: The 2024 Master of Genetic Counselling program Dean’s Honours Award – Academic Merit

We are delighted to announce Jessica Macrae as the recipient of the 2024 Master of Genetic Counselling program Dean’s Honours Award – Academic Merit.

Jessica had a decade-long career as a secondary school math and science teacher which she left behind to pursue genetic counselling at the University of Melbourne in 2022. She excelled academically while balancing her studies with parenting, completing the program over three years.

Her success stems from a combination of personal dedication, collaborative learning, and embracing reflective practice. "It's really important to be honest with yourself and reflective about what you're doing," Jessica advises. She particularly valued the program's emphasis on practical counselling skills, noting, "Having the courage to make mistakes and then learn from them is really crucial to success." Her ability to reflect on her experiences and learn from challenges, especially in developing counselling skills, contributed significantly to her outstanding academic performance.

Jessica's enthusiasm for genomics stood out: "I really enjoyed getting back into study and being able to update my knowledge and look at things through a clinical lens."

Jessica's success is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the collaborative spirit she found within her cohort. "I really did feel like I was part of a team of people trying to learn and support each other," she remarked, crediting much of her accomplishment to the support of her peers and the teaching faculty.

Currently working in Cancer Genomics at Austin Hospital, Jessica aims to pursue certification in genetic counselling and as a lifelong learner, potentially consider a PhD!

We congratulate Jessica on her well-deserved recognition and look forward to following her promising career in genetic counselling.