Careers an international affair
by Vincent Ciccarello
International students keen to learn about how to enter the workforce attended the International Careers Fair 2008 last month, hosted by UniSA’s Career Services at the Hilton Adelaide.
Employers, graduates and guest speakers from the Department of Immigration and Education Adelaide took part in workshops and panel discussions, sharing with international students their insights into employment opportunities in Australia and abroad, and on preparing for today’s labour market.
Career Services Coordinator, Industry Engagement, Kathryn Anderson said the response from international students was very positive.
"We have had a great turnout today, and all students will be able to access the day’s sessions and employer contacts online through our dedicated International Careers Fair website," Anderson said.
"Students have been making the most of the opportunity to ask questions directly of our Department of Immigration and industry representatives and to network with alumni and employers.
It
is great to be able to provide our international students with the
opportunity to develop their career plans and to hear from those who
have graduated. It turns out that even the Adelaide Hilton’s event
manager for the day is an international graduate from UniSA."
Diana Said (pictured), a second-year Bachelor of Human Resource Management student from the United Arab Emirates said it was important to see what was happening in the HR industry.
"In our program, we learn a lot about recruitment, but this is a chance to learn about careers for my own future," she said, adding that she has had a lot of help from Career Services with networking and employer contacts.
Third-year
Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition student, Arjum Haria from
Kenya (pictured), said he found the Careers Fair very useful.
"It was good to hear about some of options available for an international graduate, and to get some advice," he said.
"The message I took away with me is that you need to be networking, and not stay within your own group. And it’s important to be motivated at the same time."
Haria would like to work in Australia for a few years but plans to eventually go back to Kenya.
"Some of the tips and advice I got today will serve me well in Kenya, most definitely."
Information from the Careers Fair, including an international and Australian employer directory and vodcasts of the day’s forums, can be found at: www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/careers/Student/InternationalCareersFairStudentpage.asp