5 March 2024

Unlocking career potential with authentic industry experience: Gianna He

Master of Commerce (Extension) student, Gianna He shares her experience of the Job Smart Edge unit BWIL6573. 


How did you get involved in the unit?  

I attended the Job Smart program (BWIL6573) introduction session during orientation week. The employment-focused experiences described by the ambassador were exactly what I needed and fit my career ambitions.  

  

What was your experience of the program like?  

The program was more challenging than I thought it would be and helped me push my boundaries and grow my teamwork skills. I found each week’s content rich and valuable. It grounded the theory we learned in real business cases with the unit coordinator’s personal experiences. The course also allowed me to meet new people with different views and experiences and make new friends. These aspects made BWIL6573 a valuable experience for my future career development.  

  

What were the highlights?  

One outstanding moment was the completion of my e-portfolio website. Presenting it gave me a sense of accomplishment as I was very proud of completing something I had never tried before. Another highlight was when my group received feedback from the client after completing our business proposal as part of the Digital Industry Project for Learn Grow Become. It helped me connect and demonstrate the theory I had learned throughout the course and real industry experience.  

  

What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?  

One of my biggest challenges was finishing a project with people I had not previously worked with. Coordinating as a group in such a short time was difficult as we were unfamiliar with each other, and it definitely put me out of my comfort zone. The reflective component of the course was another challenge for me as I needed to learn to think analytically about our project.  

  

What career skills do you think you developed through the program?  

I developed my problem-solving and verbal, and written communication skills through this program. Working with new people enhanced my leadership abilities, improving goal setting, planning, and critical and reflective thinking. 

  

What would you say to future students considering applying for this unit?  

This program really helped me develop my potential and build a clearer picture of my career ambitions. It is definitely an excellent opportunity to grow the skills essential for employability.  



5 February 2024

Exploring your passion through work integrated learning: Kayla Bellamy

Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies student Kayla Bellamy shares her experience of Business Consulting Practicum (BWIL1300)

How did you get in the unit? 

I got involved in the unit during my second semester at university when I was exploring different career paths. After attending various university events and conversing with fellow students in my first semester, the field of consulting caught my attention. Upon further investigation, I discovered that Sydney University offered a consulting class, which seemed like an excellent opportunity for me to explore consulting while pursuing my degree.

 

What was your experience of the program like? 

The program was highly interactive and provided ample opportunities to meet new people. I grew close to my group members, and it felt like a social break from traditional university classes while still being productive. We had the chance to present our ideas to prominent figures in the industry and even received invitations to discuss our concepts further with the companies themselves.

 

What were the highlights? 

The people I met were definitely the highlight of the program. Collaborating with them made the experience enjoyable, almost like working with friends. The interactive nature of the group work made it engaging and different from typical lectures and tutorials.

 

What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

One of the significant challenges was coordinating group work amidst everyone's busy schedules. Finding a regular time to meet outside of class required effort. Additionally, ensuring that all group members shared the same level of commitment and work ethic was crucial. Overcoming these challenges involved effective communication and finding common ground among team members.

 

What career skills do you think you developed through the program? 

  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Addressing complex business issues enhanced my problem-solving abilities.
  • Strategic Communication: Collaborating with diverse team members improved my ability to convey ideas convincingly.
  • Project Management: Leading project execution taught me the importance of efficiency and organization.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility: Handling evolving project demands developed my resilience and adaptability.
  • Ethical Decision-Making: Emphasis on ethical practices reinforced principled decision-making aligned with client objectives.

What would you say to future students considering applying for the unit? 

I would encourage future students to seize the opportunity to meet new people and collaborate closely with their peers. It's essential to choose group members you get along with and remember the importance of compromise in group work. The unit offers a unique experience, and with hard work, it can lead to exciting opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings.

30 January 2024

Overcoming workplace challenges through an academic lens: Meghana Sharma

Master of Commerce student Meghana Sharma shares her experience of the Experience in Industry unit (BWIL2150/BWIL6150).



How did you get involved in the Experience in Industry unit?

I enrolled in the Experience in Industry unit as part of my Master of Commerce. I was recommended the unit as an opportunity to gain practical insights into the industry and apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

 

What was your experience of the program like?

Undertaking the unit was an enriching experience as it provided a unique opportunity to reflect deeply on past and current situations within my workplace. From the professional skills developed within the unit, I am now able to draw on the parallels of published literature to make informed decisions actively when a situation is happening. This was truly mind-opening and developed key skills for my career. 

 

What were the highlights?

The biggest highlight of the program was the student-centric design and facilitation. From workshop schedules to the assessment criteria, the unit accommodates the schedules and commitments of working professionals. My unit coordinator, Sanri LeRoux, made the unit incredibly valuable. Sanri provided prompt feedback and was genuine in her efforts. I always had significant takeaways from every seminar I attended.

 

What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I faced in the program was analysing my work style. I work in the for-purpose sector, which I am deeply passionate about. This makes day-to-day tasks feel very nuanced, as there is an underlying emotional spiel attached to every action I make. The assessments encouraged me to reflect critically on incidents and challenges with emotional detachment while learning how to respond with solutions drawn from academic literature.


What career skills do you think you developed through the program?

Prior to completing the unit, my responses to workplace scenarios were primarily emotional. Exposure to academic theories helped me adopt an unbiased, strategic and long-term lens when approaching challenging situations. Taking a long-term perspective made me realise that I could choose a career path that works for my personality. I am empowered knowing I can forge a career path by first reinforcing what matters to me and not leaving it to chance.

 

What would you say to future students considering applying for the Experience in Industry unit?

Regardless of their field of work, I would strongly encourage those with work experience to enrol in the Experience in Industry unit. It is a unique and valuable opportunity to address workplace challenges from an academic lens, learning to analyse them and devise the best possible response critically. This process will stay with you forever. Discussing challenges with someone like Sanri has been a truly rewarding experience. 


Learn more about the Experience in Industry unit (BWIL2150/BWIL6150).


25 January 2024

Unlocking your potential through an internship: Thilinie Seimon

Master of Commerce (Business Information Systems) student Thilinie Seimon shares her experience with the Local Industry Placement Program.



How did you get involved in the unit?

The Local Industry Placement Program is a selective or elective unit of study contributing 6-credit points towards my degree. What motivated me to participate in the program was the opportunity to gain work experience at a local organisation, receive personalised feedback throughout the hiring process - from resume screening to the interview process - and benefit from invaluable learning opportunities provided by the assessment centre.

 

What was your experience of the program like?

My internship experience was directly aligned with my career goals and interests. It helped me realise my potential and the skills I can bring to an organisation. The internship provided me with an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge gained from my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in a real-world setting.

 

The continuous support of the teaching team and tailored assessments ensured I received the most out of the experience. Working with my internship supervisor in the early stages of the program allowed me to lead a project with a company-wide impact. The project I was assigned to during my internship looked at new systems to encourage idea-sharing, transparency and employee engagement across the organisation

 

What were the highlights?

During my internship at Rabobank Australia, I formed strong relationships with numerous colleagues from my team as well as from other parts of the company, including senior managers from Australia and New Zealand. The opportunity to lead a project that has a company-wide impact was truly rewarding and strengthened my ability to think on my own feet. Upon completion of the project, I was awarded the Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification which is a company-wide initiative for employees whose work improves an existing business process. 

 

What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Working within a team with remote colleagues was the biggest challenge I faced during the internship. The work culture helped me overcome this hurdle and I quickly became comfortable taking the initiative to seek assistance from colleagues.

 

Another challenge I was presented with was the unfamiliarity with the software required to lead the project. Learning how to work with this software in 10 weeks was challenging yet exciting and extremely value-adding for my career.

 

What career skills do you think you developed through the program?

The internship improved my communication skills, strengthening my cross-cultural communication and active listening. These soft skills were key when interviewing colleagues from diverse backgrounds. The opportunity also increased my confidence and resilience when undertaking challenging tasks. 

 

What would you say to future students considering applying for the unit?

This program is well-organised, and the teaching team, particularly the supervisors, are very supportive. They will help you achieve the best from the internship and mentor you on reaching your career goals. If you are curious to learn through experience, make this opportunity yours to shine!

 

Learn more about the Local Industry Placement Program.




12 July 2023

Design Thinking in Action through the Business Consulting Practicum: Yinyan Che

Master of Commerce (Extension) student, Yinyan (Calvados) Che shares her experience of Business Consulting Practicum unit BWIL6300.

Yinyan (Calvados) Che

How did you get involved the Business Consulting Practicum?

The Business Consulting Practicum is a structured unit that educates students on the process of design thinking and allows participants to gain practical experience in the field of business consulting. For semester 1 2023, our client was KPMG, one of the big four consulting firms. Their reputation, invaluable networking opportunities, and exceptional mentorship attracted me to apply for this unit. 

What was your experience of the program like?

Our team comprising of seven members collaborated extensively both online and offline. We attended weekly workshops on campus where we actively practiced newly acquired design thinking knowledge. Additionally, we organized regular project meetings, once or twice a week, to collectively contribute to the project’s progress. 

What were the highlights?

What sets this unit apart is its seamless integration of academic learning and the project timeline, ensuring the knowledge and skills can be immediately applied to practical scenarios. Another major highlight was our visit to KPMG, where we had the opportunity to explore their facilities, including the Innovation Hub, and gain insights into the sustainability concepts driving their design. This experience deepened our understanding of the company’s values and enhanced our connection with its mission. 


What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I encountered was to comprehend and define the scope of the project. Our assigned project topic was on assisting legal professionals in utilising technology and data for ESG purposes. Although the legal and technological fields were unfamiliar domains to the business students, we successfully refined our problem statement and targeted this industry. We achieved this by actively conducting interviews with existing relevant connections and reaching out to new ones within the university alumni networks. 

What career skills do you think you developed through the program?

The first one is without a doubt networking. A significant portion of our project relied on insights gleaned from the primary research, including interviews and student focus groups. The second one is effective communication. It was challenging to maintain effective communication amidst 6 other members, each weathering their own assignment storms.  We actively fostered an environment of open dialogue and leveraged various communication channels, including WhatsApp and Zoom to stay connected and engaged. 

What would you say to future students considering applying for the Business Consulting Practicum?

Embrace the Business Consulting Practicum it is an invaluable opportunity to cultivate practical skills, forge meaningful connections, and propel yourself toward the realm of consulting. 

10 July 2023

My Philippines Study Tour Experience: Jolene Yap

Jolene Yap, Bachelor of Commerce student and NCP mobility grant recipient, talks about her experiences on the Philippines Study Tour.

Jolene Yap

How did you get involved in the Philippines study tour?

The Philippines Study Tour is an immersive project-based program that focuses on responsible business practices and the sustainability of social enterprises. I found out about this program through USYD’s short-term programs website and went to the information session held in August at the time. The application process was straightforward and conducted through the Sonia Online Portal in which a resume and other documents were required. I was fortunate to receive the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship and Vice Chancellor’s Global Mobility Scholarship for this program.  

What organisations did you work with? What was that like?

The program took place in the Philippines where we were able to meet and converse with a variety of social entrepreneurs across different industries. A majority of the two-week in-country stay was spent learning about the social and environmental challenges faced by local businesses and communities including Human Nature, Rags to Riches, Alon&Araw, Green Antz, the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm and more. During the second week, we had the opportunity to choose a business to work with. 

Our team choose Alon&Araw, a non-profit organisation that ran multiple projects including beach clean-ups, tutoring, community recycling programs, sporting teams and lessons, and a bed and breakfast accommodation. We formulated a business strategy to assist Alon and Araw on maintaining financial viability whilst supporting the social and environmental initiatives they were passionate about. 

Getting to learn about challenges that were unique to an emerging market was super interesting as the business environment differs greatly from Australia. The businesses also used new and innovative practices and technologies ranging from making building materials from waste to having a no-firing policy for employees. 

What were the highlights?

Having an impact: Being able to work on a solution that is evidently impactful and meaningful for both the business and the community was a rewarding experience. 

Cultural immersion: Getting to work with and learn from inspiring local businesses and people in a different country, with different backgrounds, life experiences, cultural values and worldviews.

What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Our biggest challenge was balancing a practical solution with the vision of the client. Alon and Araw had many initiatives they were passionate about and endless ideas for new projects. Our task of making their business model financially viable and self-sustainable would result in downscaling or pausing some projects temporarily. 

To overcome this challenge, we identified the importance of prioritising long-term growth over short–term positive impacts and communicated it to the client. Our solution clarified the business's core values and included placing a higher focus on developing a fully functional bed and breakfast to generate revenue, whilst classifying initiatives into two different categories (environmental and educational). We also outlined which initiatives should be prioritised, and which ones could be re-introduced once the business was off its feet. 

What career skills did you develop through the program?

Cultural competence: From cultural immersion in a different country and learning about how cultural mannerisms and values impact communication styles. This was also touched upon through the pre-departure modules. 

Teamwork skills: Our team worked closely together during the group project sprint in which we were given three days to prepare a proposal pitch. Our team was quite large being a group of six, however, we split into pairs using the agile framework which allowed us to work together effectively.  

Problem-solving skills: Exposure to various business challenges and different ways of thinking aids in the development of problem-solving skills. The application of design thinking methodology was a critical process that informed our solution.

What would you say to future students considering applying for the Philippines Study Tour?

Go for it! It can be daunting at first but it's definitely a unique and fun opportunity worth doing. It is one of my most memorable University experiences and I am glad I didn't pass up it and miss out. It's additionally a great way to make new friends! 

Learn more about Study tours and immersion programs.