Student Testimonials
Graduate Profiles and Career Support (opens in new window)
Julia Hanxhari
Year graduated: 2008
Awards/Achievements:
Dean's Merit List
Employer: BAE Systems Australia
Sector of industry: Defence
Job title: Commercial & Procurement Graduate (currently Subcontracts
Officer)
A day in the life of a Commercial & Procurement Graduate:
I am taking part in a graduate program whereby my role changes at 6 month
intervals for 2 years duration in the different business areas/projects.
Currently my role entails:
project management of procurement lifecycle activities including strategy,
contract creation, negotiation, contract award and management, continuous
supplier management and development.
Assist with effective management of strategic long term sub-contractors in
the area of Electronic Warfare.
Engage stakeholders at all levels (internal/external) in line with Best
Practice
Ensure compliance with company and Commonwealth policies and procedures
Support continuous improvement to business development
Actively support subcontract management and program team with day to day
management and reporting through LCM.
Involvement in promoting and developing company wide tools for best practice
eg PMRT (project management reporting tool)
Assist in drafting of commercial documents in compliance with company
procedures and international regulations.
How did you get your graduate position:
I began working at BAE Systems for a period of 6 months in 2007, during the
last semester of my degree through participation in a Commerce Practicum. I
enjoyed undertaking the study at BAE and received a lot of support both from
BAE Corporate staff as well as Prof. David Round and Ron Donato. I quickly
realised the opportunities for business graduates at BAE Systems and
expressed my interest in future positions. In February 2008 I was offered a
role as a Commercial and Procurement Graduate. This involves a 2 year
rotation program in the different areas and projects at BAES within
Commercial & Procurement discipline. Like many graduates as I was unsure of
what career path I would like to choose this was a good option as the
program offered a broad range of career development opportunities,
flexibility and allowed me to work on interesting projects/challenging roles
so that I have the chance to broaden my knowledge of the business and
industry before committing to a permanent position.
Employment pathway:
I worked in customer service part time whilst studying and 6 months during
my placement at BAE Systems before taking on a position as C&P graduate in
February this year.
Career Goal:
To take on new challenges in a diverse number of sectors and eventually
become a successful manager in my chosen field.
How do you plan to reach your career goal?:
The path to my career involves undertaking both external and internal
industry training offered through BAES learning and development
opportunities/programmes as well as take the opportunities presented by the
company to graduates in the areas of career mapping and development
(mentoring, career progression). Further study (Hons, MBA) are also an
aspiration for me to further my career.
Career tip for current Management students:
Gain as much experience as you can whilst studying, whether it be through
part time work (that is relevant to your degree or in industry sector you
prefer to work in) or through University opportunities such as practicums/placements.
Whilst your degree is important, experience is invaluable and is definitely
a differentiating factor between graduates.
Elizabeth Payne
I initially gained a BB (specialising in International Business) and a BA (specialising in International Studies) from the University of South Australia (UniSA) in 2003.
I believe the UniSA student exchange program, and the process of experiencing and immersing oneself in another culture has been paramount to the development of my life experiences, self confidence, adaptability, and social and political awareness.
After graduation from my Honours year in 2004, I spent two months as an RA for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, Africa. I then joined the Graduate Program with the Federal Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR). At DITR I worked under the auspices the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in a research and policy capacity.
In June 2005 I was appointed as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development by the Australian Government and I am currently working in Beijing, China, as an Environmental Health Officer for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO). I am involved in a program of work to build capacity for environmental health in China in the areas of road traffic safety, water sanitation, climate change policy and the progression of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
My time spent at UniSA, and particularly the skills, knowledge and friendships I developed with several professors there, have given me the confidence, the capacity, and the support to pursue and fulfil my career aspirations and goals both now and in the future.
Amy King
Bachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Arts (International Studies), Graduated 2006 Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Graduated 2007. Awarded Rhodes Scholarship in 2007 (to study at Oxford University)
I was attracted to the broad scope of the double degree, and its combination of international relations, languages, economics and finance. As someone who is intrigued by international political economy and by Australias place in the Asian region, this seemed like the perfect degree.
Importantly, however, the DBIL program moved beyond the general and, in the later years, allowed students to apply their particular skills in economics, finance, languages and international relations through applied research projects and study abroad programs.
Although the program was broad, I found that it was still possible to deepen my academic interests in Northeast Asian economic and security relations. I particularly relished the opportunity to spend a year studying in Japan and to undertake an Honours thesis on Sino-Japanese relations upon completion of the double degree. I would highly recommend the double degree program for anyone who seeks to better understand how the macro factors of international trade, finance and politics affect our world.
Donna McGee
Student Ambassador Team Leader,
Bachelor of Business (International Business)
I work in business and I needed a degree that offered a good basis in marketing, accounting, economics, law, management, IT and that also had a global perspective.
After reading many websites and program brochures, I came across the UniSA brochure for my program which read like I had written the course list. It also gave me the ability to branch out once I discovered which areas I wanted to explore further, so its been ideal for me.