As students, we are constantly worried about our employment prospects at the end of our studies. We are barraged with common refrains like “you need to start networking” and are told woeful tales of the competitive market and the elusiveness of our ‘dream job’.
It all seems too much, especially with the sunny distractions South East Queensland always to offer (Dreamworld trip anyone?). However, as Queensland College of Art grad Ryan Turner proves, thinking about your career early in your degree can produce incredible results.
Ryan studied a Bachelor of Design at QCA and had always dreamed of owning his own business. Despite starting a degree in psychology, he later realized where his passion lay and pursued a career in design.
Just a few short years later, he is now the Managing Director of his own successful business, Quantico Digital. His business specializes in graphic design, digital design and development, smartphone app development, social media and online marketing – meaning he gets to work with a variety of different brands.
With a career spanning three continents and early aspirations to be an aeronautical engineer, Mohammed Hayat took on his biggest personal and professional challenge to leave the industry he had worked in for many years to explore his passion for the environment. After starting an Arts degree in 1995, Mohammed discovered his heart wasn’t in it and transferred to a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, graduating in 2000.
When Carolyn’s sister, Michelle White, looked into doing nursing about 15 years ago and found out it was a degree, she thought it was too scary back then. Michelle’s motivation to study at university was to have a career post family and to be able to work alongside her husband in the primary care industry. Once Carolyn enrolled, her brother in-law told her to convince Michelle and with only a week till cut-off she applied. They were both accepted and the rest was history.
“I could end up as a paediatric specialist or a sports specialist. I don’t know. It’s about being open to opportunities that come my way”
Griffith University Careers and Employment Service 