2013 uts bsoc careers guide

CAREERSGUIDE

2013

DEAN OF BUSINESSProfessor Roy GREEN

EDITOR & UTS BSOCCAREERS DIRECTOR

Lloyd WOOD

CAREERS TEAMAnnelise JEROMELA

Elise KENNEDY

Suzy LIVAJA

Demara ROCHE

Davor TOCAKOVIC

CONTRIBUTORSKatheryne BARETAS

Rojda DAG

Isabelle DUGGAN

Tu DUONG

Tyson GUNDERSEN

Rosie KAVANAGH

Kyuseop KWAK

Shanil LAL

Samantha LOW

Hamish MISHRA

Nicholas ROKKAS

Laura RULLO

Luke SHIELDS

Susan SMITH

Nicole SNOWDEN

Charlotte TAYLOR

Mark TOMA

Johnny VANCE

Da Gong ZHAO

DESIGNERLinda HOANG

PHOTOGRAPHYRon LAL

TALENTDemara ROCHE

PRINTKwikKopy Neutral Bay

THANKS TO THE UTS UNION

MAILING ADDRESSUTS Business Society

C/O UTS Union Info Desk

Level 3, 15 Broadway (Building 1)

PO Box 3210 | Broadway NSW 2007

UTS BUSINESS SOCIETY OFFICEUTS Haymarkets Campus CB05A.01.10

COPYRIGHT© UTS BUSINESS SOCIETYThis publication is copyright. Except where permitted

under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this

publication may be reproduced or stored by any

process, electronic or otherwise, without the specifi c

written permission of the UTS Business Society.

DISCLAIMERThe articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not

necessarily those of the UTS Business Society, the Editor, or the

UTS Business School. Although the editor and authors have taken

every care in preparing and writing the guide, they expressly

disclaim and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, misuse

or misunderstandings on the part of any person who uses or

relies upon it. The editor, authors and Business Society accept

no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasioned to

any person or entity as a result of a person relying, wholly or

in part, on any material included, omitted or implied in this

publication. The user of this guide acknowledges that they

will take responsibility for their actions and will under no

circumstances hold the editor, authors or UTS Business

Society responsible for any damage resulting to the user

or anyone else from use of this publication.

01 02 03

CONTENTS

04 05 06

07 WHERE TO START

08 TIPS FOR RESUMES

09 ONLINE APPLICATIONS

10 TIPS FOR COVER LETTERS

12 THE SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW

14 UTS BUSINESS INTERNSHIP

15 TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS

16 UTS ACCOMPLISH AWARD

18 NETWORKING TIPS

19 BACK DOOR CEOS

20 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

21 ACCOUNTING

22 WHAT IS ACCOUNTING?

23 INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED

ACCOUNTANTS AUSTRALIA

26 CPA

29 HOW TO GET A

VACATIONER POSITION

31 SUCCESSFUL

VACATIONER RECOUNT

32 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

36 KPMG

38 DELOITTE

40 ERNST & YOUNG

42 SUCCESSFUL

VACATIONER RECOUNT

43 INSOLVENCY INDUSTRY

44 BDO

46 THE CADETSHIP

48 ECONOMICS

49 WHAT IS ECONOMICS?

50 CHOOSING ECONOMICS

51 FINSIA

52 ANZ

53 NSW TREASURY

54 AUSTRALIAN BUREAU

OF STATISTICS

56 APRA

58 FINANCE

59 WHAT IS FINANCE?

60 GRADUATE TIPS TO SUCCESS

61 FINSIA

62 CFA

64 CBA

66 MACQUARIE GROUP

69 MANAGEMENT

70 WHAT IS MANAGEMENT?

71 INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

72 WHAT IS HR MANAGEMENT?

73 STUDYING HR

74 LIFE IN THE INDUSTRY

75 AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

76 MARKETING

77 WHAT IS MARKETING?

78 UTS GRADUATE EXPERIENCE

79 MEET THE LECTURER

80 PERCEPTICS

81 MARKETING WEBSITES

UTS BUSINESS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE

WELCOME TO THE GUIDE INTRODUCTION

4

It is with great pleasure that I welcome

you to the inaugural UTS Business Soci-

ety Careers Guide.

This Guide strives to provide you with

career information based on your cho-

sen head of discipline, presenting you

with profi les and graduate opportunities

of some of the key fi rms in the industry,

student experiences in the workforce,

as well as tools and tips to succeed in

the recruitment process.

It is truly never too early to start and I

advise you to begin applying for intern

positions and contemplating your gradu-

ate goals as soon as possible. For those

submission dates that have passed,

use these as forewarning to assist your

preparation for future years.

The production of this Guide would not

have been possible without the tireless

dedication of my careers team, thus

an enormous thanks goes to Annelise,

Demara, Suzanna, Elise and Davor. I

also wish to thank all contributors for

their submissions, our amazing designer

Linda Hoang for the entire look and feel,

and Susan Smith from UTS Careers for

her guidance.

On behalf of the team, I invite you to

explore the career opportunities that lie

awaiting and hope this Guide will be a

useful resource in your future career

endeavours.

Kind regards,

Lloyd Wood

UTS Business Society Careers Director

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

LLOYD WOODCAREERS DIRECTOR

UTS BUSINESS SOCIETY


WELCOME TO BSOCINTRODUCTION

5

I express gratitude and a vote of con-

gratulations to you for picking up a copy

of UTS Business Society’s inaugural

Careers Guide.

As a Society taking a new direction in

2013, we have taken some big steps

to ensure UTS produces Business

students who are well-rounded, com-

mercially minded and are of high cali-

bre, suitable in any high performance

culture. The Society holds the view that

students ought to be given exposure to

relevant information and various career

opportunities, and this publication is the

medium through which we have aimed

to achieve that objective.

As Business students, you have an array

of options to choose from for post-uni-

versity life, be it a professional services

fi rm, commercial environment, or ven-

turing into your own entrepreneurial pur-

suits. We have laid down the foundation

in this publication and it is up to you to

leap in the right direction. The fi rst step

is being proactive – you are already on

the right path by reading this.

The Business and related courses

offered by UTS are rigorous in nature

and you will graduate with a diverse

range of technical and fundamental

skills essential to stand out in the crowd.

You will have been challenged to think

outside the box, get creative, and solve

tricky business situations. From deriv-

ing the maximum return on securities

investments to developing compre-

hensive marketing proposals, you have

been trained to apply your respective

skills in the workforce to excel above

and beyond expectation.

You will fi nd in this publication a wide

range of perspectives from several

industry leaders as well as those of UTS

Alumni who are fresh into their careers.

You will fi nd the contributors in this

guide discussing the secrets to being

successful in your hunting for a career

as well as what worked for them in their

experience.

Use this guide as a comprehensive

overview of the options available to

you, as well as a range of tips to keep

in mind when writing you curriculum

vitae and covering letter, preparing for

an interview and building your range of

experience to maximise your chances of

securing employment.

I wish you all the very best of luck for

the remainder of this university year

and for your future endeavours. As

always, if you would like to get in touch

please do not hesitate to contact me at

[email protected].

Shanil Lal

UTS Business Society President

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

LLOYD WOODUTS BUSINESS SOCIETY

CAREERS DIRECTOR

SHANIL LALPRESIDENT

UTS BUSINESS SOCIETY


FROM THE DEAN INTRODUCTION

6

Congratulations to the UTS Business

Society for preparing this excellent

Careers Guide which will help you – our

students and graduates – to make key

decisions about your future. It is never

too early to begin getting prepared for

these decisions.

The UTS Business School is proud that

its programs are held in high regard by

business and the professions, and that

they provide a springboard for a wide

range of opportunities in many types of

organisations, including new ventures

you might even start yourself!

The distinctive attributes of a UTS Busi-

ness graduate are the ability to combine

specialised knowledge with broader

‘boundary-crossing’ skills such as team-

work, leadership, critical thinking and

problem-solving. These are the attrib-

utes that count in today’s constantly

changing environment. As we say in our

mission, our aim is to advance knowl-

edge with impact through integrative

thinking for the next generation leaders

of a globalising world.

I would encourage you to consider your

choices carefully, whether they are pro-

gram choices, internships, international

studies or opportunities for employment

and career paths. Please keep in mind

that you have valuable sources of advice

and information right here in the Busi-

ness School.

May I wish you the best of luck in pur-

suing your chosen paths whatever they

might be and wherever they take you,

and I hope you will keep in touch with

us and your fellow graduates as part of

the UTS Business School alumni com-

munity.

Regards

Professor Roy Green

Dean

UTS Business School

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

PROFESSORROY GREENDEAN

UTS BUSINESS SCHOOL

01

WHERE TOSTART


RESUMES WHERE TO START

8

SO HOW CAN YOU

FOCUS YOUR RESUME?

Don’t use the same resume for every

job - highlight information most relevant

to the selection criteria.

Under each job heading when you

record your duties, record the most rel-

evant duties (to the job you are applying

for) fi rst. Use active verbs to start the

sentences that highlight your duties.

Make your resume achievement-ori-

ented – highlight academic achieve-

ments and work-based achievements.

These could include positions of leader-

ship, prizes, awards, promotions, addi-

tional responsibilities, targets met or

exceeded, etc. The achievements could

be included under each job you have

held or recorded as an Achievement

Summary.

Include a skills section that directly

addresses the selection criteria. Don’t

rely on a simple dot point list – state the

skill and then provide evidence to dem-

onstrate where you have developed or

enhanced the skills.

For example; “Special Events Coordination

- Initiated several local and

regional promotions. This involved

extensive research, planning,

negotiation of sponsorship,

liaison with police, councils,

community service groups,

volunteers, sponsors and

media. Organised production

of leafl ets and promotional

material and distributed and

directed operations on the day.

Responsible for budget and the

fi nancial success of events.”

Employers will spend a very short

period of time scanning your resume

looking for relevant information. An

often quoted fi gure is that they will

spend no more than 30 seconds –

although one recent report says only 6

seconds! Therefore you need to make it

reader friendly; clearly defi ned headings,

dot points instead of long blocks of text,

and some valuable white space.

Many large companies and government

departments use online applications

and some will not require a resume so

you may not need to send one for every

job you apply to. Read the instructions

carefully before you attach anything.

For more information please visit:

www.careers.uts.edu.au

TIPS FOR RESUMESBY SUSAN SMITH, UTS CAREERS

Your resume is your marketing tool to an employer. They will use it to determine if you have the potential to do the job and want

to further explore this potential at an interview. Your task is to ensure that your resume presents you in the best possible light

and provides information that convinces the employer that you can do the job. Therefore it should focus on the skills set needed

for the advertised role – this skills set is often described as the selection criteria.


ONLINE APPLICATIONSWHERE TO START

9

1. PREPARE!

ALL THE CLUES ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

Research and analyse the company, its goals and values, and

the graduate stream that you are applying for. All the clues

you need to complete your online application form are there

on the company literature, annual reports and website. Attend

employer sessions on campus and use every opportunity to

network through careers fairs and campus events.

2. WHY THEM?

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THAT

ORGANISATION THAT STANDS OUT?

Don’t proceed to tell the employer why you want to work for

them by stating the obvious. Banks already know if they are

the top 4 in the country. You need to differentiate more on

why they are your employer of choice, by the values they hold,

the graduate program they offer, and the opportunity for expo-

sure to key infl uencers and mentors in your profession.

3. WHY YOU?

BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR SKILLS AND VALUE.

Approach the application with a clear idea of your strengths,

skills and career aspirations. Draw out how this organisation

will play to your strengths and enhance your career prospects.

You need to be aware that every question they are asking on

the application is a chance for you to market yourself. Have

you really understood the role that you are applying for and

what you will be asked to do as a new graduate? Within a

couple of weeks, you’ll be working with your own clients and

solving problems that you might not know anything about!

Resilience, the ability to ask the right questions, the confi -

dence to take the lead, the professionalism to deal with the

situation - all this and more is what you have.

4. WHY NOT?

GIVE THEM A REASON TO SAY YES!

Try to steer away from bland, vanilla statements that don’t

really get to the heart of the question. Really think about what

behaviour or skill they are trying to elicit from the question.

Be specifi c, be focused and drill down to a deeper level to

describe your behaviours and prove why you should get the

job.

For more information please visit:

www.careers.uts.edu.au

ONLINE APPLICATIONSBY SUSAN SMITH, UTS CAREERS

Think about this simple equation: Your strengths and skills + the skills and behaviours the job requires = A MATCH!

Online application forms are designed to see if you have the motivation, the necessary insight and the personal effectiveness to

make the right impact as a graduate in that organisation. Follow these top 4 tips and ensure your application form makes it

through to the next round.


COVER LETTERS WHERE TO START

10

If there is an advertised position make sure you target the skill

sought by the employer for that role. This means you can’t just

use the same old letter for every job, you need to modify it for

each application.

Where there is no advertisement, you might be asking for an

internship, or if a company would consider recruiting a recent

graduate into an entry-level role. You can use a standard let-

ter but make sure you highlight your skills and relevant experi-

ence, and ensure that the skills you highlight are those that

would generally be sought by employers in that profession/

industry.

Generally speaking cover letters should be no longer than one

page in length. The fi rst paragraph should highlight why you

are writing and your interest in the company and role. The fol-

lowing 2 or 3 paragraphs highlight your skills, experience and

attitudes relevant to the role – these will be fairly broad state-

ments, you can include more detail in the resume. Nonethe-

less you should provide evidence to support your claims. The

fi nal paragraph thanks the reader for their time and suggests

arranging an interview.

Use good quality white paper and a font like Arial, Times New

Roman or Calibri, no smaller than 11 point. Layout is important

– the cover letter is a business communication and your com-

munication skills are being assessed by the employer.

If you are emailing your cover letter to an employer, mention

in the text of the email that you are applying for the position

and that your cover letter is attached. Attach the document as

either a word doc or PDF.

Following is a sample letter, use it as a model but do not copy

it, you want to stand out from the crowd. Your cover letter

should be individual and differentiate you from other people

applying for the role.

The UTS Careers Service runs cover letter review workshops

and general workshops on cover letters and resumes. Check

out the Careers Service website for precise dates and times

www.careers.uts.edu.au.

TIPS FOR COVER LETTERSBY SUSAN SMITH, UTS CAREERS

Your cover letter is the fi rst thing an employer will read about you. It is one of your key marketing tools, so make sure it creates

a positive fi rst impression. It should refl ect your strengths and experiences in relation to the job you are applying for and be free

of any spelling or grammatical errors.

Ms Alice I. Wunderland

16 Softley Close

Randwick NSW 2031

Phone: 1234 567 890

Email: [email protected]

8 March 2013

Ms Molly Meba

Meba Media

100 Sussex Street,

Sydney NSW 2000

Dear Ms Meba,

Re: Marketing Assistant (Position ref: G452/A)

As a recent Bachelor of Business graduate from the University of Technology, Sydney with a major in marketing, I am very inter-

ested in the advertised position. Achieving a distinction average over the course of my studies, along with my work experience

at two high profi le media organisations, demonstrates I am hardworking and self–motivated, with a passion for marketing within

the entertainment industry.

During my degree I completed several marketing internships, including positions at Channel 7 and ACP magazines. These intern-

ships proved to be invaluable as I was able to demonstrate my skills as a confi dent communicator to both internal and external

clients and confi rm my enthusiasm for employment in this industry. In addition to my internships, I have been involved with

extracurricular pursuits including working with the NSW Volunteer Fire Brigade for six years and also at my local Smith Fam-

ily shop. Here I strengthened my teamwork skills, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and how to work effectively

under pressure.

The internet is of particular interest to me due its ever-changing nature and I also enjoy working with social media as it is a grow-

ing market segment area. Notably, at Channel 7 I was responsible for increasing the Channel’s Facebook and Twitter traffi c in

2011. As a result of my efforts Twitter traffi c increased by 40% and the number of Facebook ‘likes’ by 30% over six months.

As a market leader in providing creative strategies for social media and communications branding I note that Meba Media works

has contributed to the success of organisations such as XYD company and ZXY. An opportunity to learn from the expert talent

at Meba Media would be a welcome challenge, enabling me to develop my own capacity to work as a marketeer and learn from

experts in the fi eld.

Thank you for your consideration, please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information supporting my

application. I am available for interview at your discretion and can be contacted on 1234 5667 890 or at the email address: Alice.

[email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[Signature]

Ms Alice Wunderland


INTERVIEWS WHERE TO START

12

1. THE WORK

The most fundamental goal of the interview is to determine

whether you have the skills to do the job. Still, your inter-

viewer may not even know how to fi gure out if you have what

it takes. You must be ready to do it for them. Be prepared

with a list of your top selling points with examples of when

you have shown these skills, so the interviewer is completely

aware of your advantages over others.

2. THE COMPANY

Research, research, research! All the clues for the candidates

they are looking for will be on their website. The companies’

values, their mission statement, their annual reports - do your

homework ahead of time so you are ready to say why you

want to work at that job and for that company. Be clear about

how your values match theirs (and again with examples of you

showing these values in action).

3. THE CULTURE

The work environment can determine whether you love your

job or hate it. Address the work culture with your interviewer

to make sure your values align. There’s nothing worse than

landing a job only to realize the organization is not a place

where you would feel comfortable working.

4. INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

Want to “wow” the interviewer? Show off your knowledge of

the industry. Make sure you’re reading the Financial Review

and are aware of recent deals or what is happening in that

industry space. Thoroughly understanding your industry proves

your passion for the fi eld. In addition, having this knowledge

suggests you have a deeper level of expertise than the average

candidate.

THE SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWBY SUSAN SMITH, UTS CAREERS

The job interview might be the only thing left between you and the position of your dreams.

Even if you’re the most qualifi ed candidate, a poor interview performance can leave a poor impression on a potential employer.

Yet, you can avoid nearly all interview mishaps if you prepare the right way for your interview.

As the saying goes: fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO PREPARE AND ADDRESS IN AN INTERVIEW:


INTERVIEWSWHERE TO START

13

5. EVIDENCE OF YOUR SKILLS – SHINE LIKE A STAR.

Your past experiences demonstrate how you would perform if

you landed the job. So, you want to be prepared to describe

past experiences where you had a big impact or shown

leadership, decision making and initiative. If you have numbers

to back up your claims, that’s even more persuasive. Aim to be

a STAR – address the Situation, the Task you were required to

undertake, the Action you took and the Results you achieved.

This technique for preparing answers will ensure you set the

scene and cover your input well.

6. THOUGHT-OUT QUESTIONS

Always make sure you have questions at the end of the

interview. From queries about the interviewer’s role to thoughts

on the history of the position, questions show your desire for

the job. They can also give you more insight into the role, which

may not have been addressed during the more formal portion

of the interview. However, don’t pull out a list of 20 questions

before lunch. Read the situation and ask one or two pertinent

questions.

7. NEXT STEPS

Understanding the next steps in the interview process is

essential. Always ensure you’re aware of what these are. It

may be a second interview. It may be giving the company a list

of references. It may mean you won’t know the outcome for

a few weeks. By asking about these next steps, you’ll know

what to expect and gain some peace of mind. You’ll also show

your enthusiasm for this position.

As you can see, job interviews can be a much smoother

process if you use this checklist. Do your research, emphasize

why you are the best candidate for the job, and always leave

on a good note. You’ll fi nd the outcome of the interview will be

much more positive if you do.

For more information and help on how to prepare for interviews

and how to tackle tough interview questions please attend

UTS:Careers workshop series and visit our website http://

www.ssu.careers.uts.edu.au



14

‘Work experience’, ‘work ready’, ‘interns’, ‘graduate attributes’,

‘employability’ - tired of the terminology and not quite sure

what it all means?

YOU’RE NOT ALONE.

So let me spell it out for you with some facts:*

• In 2012, on average, 23.6% of graduates who were

recruited to Accounting and Finance fi rms with over 500

employees came from an internship program and 9.8%

from an employee referral program.

• This fi gure jumps to 40.7% for internships with Legal and

Professional Services fi rms with over 500 employees and

17% from employee referral programs.

• Smaller organisations (1-500 employees) who used these

programs recruited, on average, a larger proportion of

their total graduate intake through undergraduate and

employee referral programs than their larger counterparts

(36.3% versus 29.9% for internships and 15.7% versus

9.8% for employee referral programs).

SO, WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY?

In two short words - Experience works!

• Look at the stats - internships and work experience in a

career area you are interested in are an important part of

your success in getting a graduate entry job.

• It gives you valuable experience on your CV.

• It helps you answer those thorny questions on graduate

application forms about a time you’ve shown leadership

abilities, overcome a confl ict and resolved a problem.

• It helps set your subject knowledge in context and

teaches business acumen in the real world.

• It offers you the opportunity to develop a network of

people working in a professional fi eld you would like to

break into.

• It develops your confi dence and the ability to market

yourself effectively.

• The internship has increasingly become the ‘1st interview’

to graduate programs. If you complete a successful

internship, depending on the organisation, you can

often be referred on and skip past some of the graduate

recruitment phases for fi nal year students.

• Doing an internship gives you the opportunity to discover

what your strengths and skills are

• Undertaking work experience can help you to make

decisions about potential career paths to follow.

• UTS Business School offers you the opportunity to

undertake an internship as part of your degree and

receive credit for it!

UTS BUSINESS INTERNSHIPBY SUSAN SMITH, UTS CAREERS

For more information and help on the Business Internship, please contact Angela Powell at [email protected]

For further information on careers and ‘Where UTS Graduates Go’ please visit UTS:Careers at

http://www.ssu.careers.uts.edu.au

To view current internships and job vacancies visit our jobs board at

http://www.ssu.careers.uts.edu.au/careers/opportunities/index.html

*GRADUATE OUTLOOK 2012 REPORT, by Graduate Careers Australia



15

International students face more challenges in gaining work

than their local colleagues due to two main factors :–

1. Lack of English speaking skills; and

2. Lack of experience in the Australian workplace.

These facts were gleaned from research recently conducted

by a Monash University academic who was commissioned by

the CPA to fi nd out what issues International students are fac-

ing when marketing themselves to the Australian workforce.

Based on these fi ndings, it would be recommended that Inter-

national students who struggle with their written and verbal

communication skills, must improve them where ever pos-

sible. This can take the form of joining conversational English

groups or attending student society groups for an opportunity

to use English language skills more often. Many international

students have an understandable tendency to gather in their

own language groups and fall into a regular habit of speaking

in their own tongue. It would be recommended that you join

or create a group within your community to improve English

speaking skills, where you speak it as often as possible and

get honest feedback to make any improvements.

The other way to improve your communication skills is to get

any sort of work experience - be it paid casual or part-time

work, an internship or voluntary work. This is a great way to

get you speaking with different members of society. One

way to gain this sort of work experience is through the UTS

Careers Service who can assist International students to gain

work experience through the “Working Solutions” Program.

This program has been put in place to increase your employ-

ability skills through regular workshops that will assist you to

establish your resume and cover letters, adopt interview tech-

niques, learn the expectations of the Australian workplace,

network and search for jobs effectively. International students

need to enrol at the beginning of semester to participate in

the workshops.

The other great resource that UTS has to offer is the HELPS

offi ce where you can get assistance preparing for your course

of study, fi nd out what tutors expect, group learning, assess-

ments and where to seek help. There are workshops at HELPS

that will give you an overview of all the things you will be

required to do as a student and another set of workshops that

specifi cally cover areas such as reading and note-taking, exam

preparation, preparation for IELTS exam, writing skills, assign-

ment analysis, academic writing, critical writing, report writing,

presentation and speaking skills, grammar reviews and more.

A common misconception amongst International students is

that the more you study and the better your grades, the more

employable you will be. This can be true in part; however, with-

out the basic communication essentials, a Masters and sev-

eral degrees under your belt will not be suffi cient. As with any

workplace in the world, communication skills, be it written or

spoken, are always going to be at the top of the list. To assist

you with this process, identify your strengths, both skills and

personality, and articulate these by using demonstrated exam-

ples for use in your interviews, cover letters and resumes. It

really comes down to your transferrable skills (not just your

technical ones), and your experience.

Another tip is don’t devalue the non-discipline related work

experience or opportunities that come your way – all of this

can enhance your employability and are often the skills sought

by employees. For example, you may be studying Engineer-

ing, and work in sales at a whiteware retail outlet. Your cus-

tomer service skills, your technical knowledge and knowledge

of how a business runs will score you points when applying for

other work.

Most importantly, practice your English speaking skills as

much as possible and don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Peo-

ple will respect and admire that you are making an effort to

communicate your thoughts and feelings and will often assist

you to make your point clear.

TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTSBY CHARLOTTE TAYLOR, UTS CAREERS



16

According to studies completed by AAGE (Australian

Associate of Graduate Employers) the top ten skills

assessed in the recruitment process by graduate

employers are:

1. Oral Communication

2. Teamwork

3. Interpersonal skills

4. Problem solving skills

5. Analytical thinking

6. Written communication

7. University grades

8. Planning and organising

9. Time management

10. Leadership

This means that, no matter what your degree is, stu-

dents need to be more proactive in developing their

skills outside of their degree.

This might mean getting a part time job, volunteering

in your community or landing an internship in your

preferred industry. All of these avenues allow you to

build valuable transferable skills that you will use in

your graduate role.

It’s never too early to start developing these trans-

ferable skills - even if you are a fi rst year student. If

you start now these skills will be useful during the

recruitment process, as you’ll have a bank of experi-

ences to draw on during those all-important behav-

ioural-based questions during an interview. Make a

mental note of diffi cult customers you’ve dealt with

and situations when you’ve lead a team, because

they will come in handy!

UTS ACCOMPLISH AWARDBY NICOLE SNOWDEN, UTS ACCOMPLISH PROGRAM COORDINATOR

While many students believe that university grades are the most important aspect in securing a graduate role, studies show that employers look for much more in a well-rounded graduate. Recent studies show that generic skills are ranked as more important in the recruitment process than university grades.



17

You may be reading this thinking,‘I don’t know where to start!’

If you are, don’t worry! The UTS Careers Service is

here to help you become more employable in time

for fi nal year when you starting applying for graduate

roles.

The UTS Accomplish Award is a program run by the

Careers Service and is aimed at penultimate year

students and postgraduate students. The program is

designed to improve your employability skills while

encouraging you to build your transferable skills now

in the workplace.

Students complete workshops targeting important

areas like interviews (including how to dress appro-

priately for the workplace), networking, business

etiquette, professional presentations, resume writ-

ing and mock group assessments. They also com-

plete 100 hours of employment practice across the

year, enabling them to build their generic skills, their

resumes and also their networks.

We have a number of fantastic employers involved

in the Award including Citigroup, Louis Vuitton, CBA,

KPMG, Liquid Ideas, ASIC, State Street and Ernst &

Young, just to name a few. Students are able to hear

employer insights into the recruitment process, and

their hints and tips for standing out in the crowd. All

in all, the employer input into this program is very

valuable for students!

So, not only will you have the skills to ace the recruit-

ment process, you’ll have a resume full of employ-

ment experiences and some useful employer con-

tacts as well! And to top it all off, you’ll have a fancy

Accomplish Award certifi cate, signed by the Deputy

Vice Chancellor to prove you’ve been dedicated and

committed to the program!

With 9.3% fewer graduate roles available in 2013

compared to 2012 (according to AAGE Employer

survey 2012), and with potential for this trend to

continue in following years, it’s just not enough to

succeed in your studies. You need to become an

all-rounded, involved student. Get involved in extra-

curricular activities, secure a part time job and take

part in initiatives offered by the university to improve

your skills.

If you’re in your penultimate (second last) year in

2014, you can register your interest for the Accom-

plish Award for 2014 here: http://www.ssu.uts.edu.au/careers/jobsearch/accomplish/sign-up.html


NETWORKING WHERE TO START

18

1. THE ABILITY TO SELL YOURSELF

In order to create an everlasting impression to those who are

in positions of power, one must be able to differentiate them-

selves from the crowd surrounding them and the status quo.

You must be engaging, charismatic, interesting and have an all-

rounded approach. A sense of humour in conjunction with a

broad understanding of worldly matters increases the value of

your stock. You should be able to resonate with those around

you yet provide a unique or different perspective on similar

experiences. The key to selling yourself is fi nding that striking

balance of individuality and modesty to ultimately leave those

around you impressed by your overall image.

2. THE ABILITY TO LEAVE POSITIVE

EVERLASTING IMPRESSIONS

It is imperative that you leave a really good impression on

whomever you are talking to. As a young university student,

your polite gestures, respectable sense of humour and pas-

sion towards business, will evoke thought on whom you are

communicating with and makes them refl ect on their univer-

sity days. They compare themselves to you, and your drive,

ambition and desire for success refl ects on you positively. In

leaving a good impression, make sure you also develop the

skill of listening. Ask them questions about their role and what

they enjoy about it and naturally a connection will appear. This

is where you start drawing upon your own personal experi-

ences and comments in order to relate it back to the person

you are communicating with. Leaving a good impression has

multiple effects as it improves your personal brand image

amongst others and enables your name to get exposed; it’s

not ‘’who you know’’ but ‘’who knows you.’’

3. THE ABILITY TO REINFORCE CONNECTIONS

Reinforcing your connections fl ows from selling yourself effec-

tively, as you maintain your positive impression in a more

permanent sense. But how does one reinforce a connection?

According to The Harvard Business Review, the top business

executives and over 2/3 of employees of transnational com-

panies have LinkedIn profi les. LinkedIn is a form of social

media that allows members to connect with those they have

had professional experiences with and enables one to publicly

advertise the infl uence that they have in a particular company

and industry. Reinforcing these relationships is crucial in main-

taining contact and the impression you’ve created. In my opin-

ion, getting a LinkedIn profi le is imperative in this process and

helps you build a strong network for future opportunities.

Networking demands that you test your ideas, hone your abil-

ity to communicate and improve your executive presence.

Networking is a time commitment and the more time you

dedicate to it – the more you will learn what works for you and

against you. The more you procrastinate, the more you will

fi nd yourself disconnected from the opportunities that may

potentially advance your career or allow you to meet the right

people. Ultimately, I reiterate; networking isn’t about ‘’who

you know’’ but rather ‘’who knows you”, so I encourage you to

build your connections and get your name known.

NETWORKING TIPSBY MARK TOMA, UTS BSOC SOCIALS DIRECTOR

The most common perception running around in the university world - ‘’it’s not what you know, but whom you know’’ - is a

phrase that humours me every time I hear it.

Contrary to popular belief, networking isn’t just about having connections but rather, using these connections as a catalyst to

reach your goals. Therefore, having a strong network is not a characteristic but rather a skill. Networking entails three signifi cant

steps:


ARTICLEWHERE TO START

19

Applying for internships and graduate roles can be a dif-

fi cult time and unfortunately sometimes people miss

out. Rejection can have a very debilitating effect on a

person – resilience is often hard to come by in these circum-

stances. However, it’s not the end of the world. Many success-

ful business professionals did not get where they are today

following the more ‘traditional pathways.’ These are people that

for some reason could not, or chose not, to conform to the

status quo. Though their curiosity and passion to succeed did

not see them throw in the towel, instead they entered through

the ‘back door.’

I was experiencing some diffi culties in fi nding part time work

via the traditional means, though after speaking to Anthony

Matis (General Manager, Business Development, Education

- International, CPA Australia) about my dilemma, he encour-

aged me to fi nd a ‘back door.’ Anthony explained that this

meant channelling your curiosity, setting goals, building your

networks and most importantly, not limiting yourself to one

path.

Gail Kelly, the fi rst woman to gain a Chief Executive position at

a major bank, did not start her career battling through a gruel-

ling application process to land a graduate role trading deriva-

tives on George St; her youth did not emulate that of Gordon

Gekko and she was not a cashed-up intern with her AMEX

behind the bar every Friday night. On the contrary, Gail stud-

ied History and Latin at the University of Cape Town and fol-

lowed this with a Diploma in Education. While her future col-

leagues were in the basement crunching numbers, Gail was

teaching the likes of Julius Caesar to schoolboys in Zimbabwe.

In South Africa, her Arts degree was enough to get a banking

job - from there, Gail moved to Australia and fast-tracked her

career through training programs. She attained various man-

agement positions and fi nally reached the corporate summit

in 2008.

Chairwoman of Qantas Super, Anne Ward puts it well when

asked about traditional paths:

“CAREER PATHS ARE SO RARELY LINEAR THAT IT IS

REALLY IMPORTANT NOT TO BE TOO DOGMATIC...

YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO CHANGE YOUR PATH

WHEN AN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF, EVEN

IF THAT MEANS TAKING A SIDEWAYS STEP.”

Lindsay Fox is a shining example of corporate success from

a non-traditional means. Lindsay started his company with

one truck in exchange for four quarterly promissory notes. By

1967 he had won a contract with BP to distribute heating oil

and had acquired 60 trucks. Whilst running his own business

Lindsay found time to show off his athletic prowess, playing

20 senior games for the Saints. To this day Linfox has over 14,

000 employees as well as the title of the largest logistics com-

pany in Australia. Lindsay’s unorthodox ride to the top is evi-

dence that hard work, passion and determination can get you

further than any university degree or internship position - after

all, life is so much more than that!

Business is all about relationships, who you know is cru-

cial - that is why building your networks now is so vital. Get

involved with societies, extra-curricular activities and travel the

world! Plan ahead and be realistic, what are your back-ups if

you miss out? Use the UTS Careers Service, I am bewildered

as to why more students don’t take advantage of this free,

professionally-run service. Come to BSoc career events - this

is where you can get your one-on-one time with business pro-

fessionals and hear advice pertaining to your interests straight

from the horse’s mouth. Stop throwing away those brochures

you get in lectures and start reading them, do your research

and compare opportunities. Keep your options open - you

never know when you may need to use the back door!

ENTERING YOUR DREAM CAREERTHROUGH THE ‘BACK DOOR’BY ROSIE KAVANAGH, UTS BSOC VICE-PRESIDENT


ARTICLE WHERE TO START

20

If you ask a hundred people to defi ne entrepreneurship, you’re

likely to get a hundred different answers, each as vague as the

last. Yet few realise just how much this often-misunderstood

concept has shaped the way in which we currently live.

At its core, entrepreneurship is simply a way of thinking. A

desire to innovate, invoke change, and challenge the status

quo, championed by a select few. From Facebook to Youtube,

Google to Microsoft, the biggest companies to emerge over

the past few decades have almost unilaterally begun with little

more than a few computers in a parent’s garage and an entre-

preneurial vision to challenge the way that businesses think,

see and do.

By its very nature however, entrepreneurship is not confi ned

to these multi-million dollar companies based out of Silicon

Valley, the veritable mecca for “start-ups” - rather, it is a way

of thinking that has taken the world by storm in lieu of the late

90’s tech boom, with bustling communities emerging across

the globe on almost every continent.

This has certainly proved true for Sydney over the past dec-

ade. One only has to dig slightly below the bustling surface

of the CBD to uncover a booming “start-up” industry. For UTS

students this process becomes even easier, with a vast array

of fl edgling companies and co-working spaces tucked away in

Ultimo’s Harris Street, less than two minutes walk from the

Haymarket Campus.

Driven by passionate individuals who thrive on long hours and

little pay, the established consensus emerges amongst these

CEO’s that few jobs offer the unparalleled freedom of being

your own boss, accompanied by the immense satisfaction of

watching your own creation come to life.

Entrepreneurship however, is not simply confi ned to launch-

ing your own company. One look at the recruitment section of

Macquarie Bank or McKinsey & Co.’s websites echo the trend

of employers increasingly looking for individuals who possess

the ability to think outside the box, approach issues laterally

and innovate.

Here at UTS, the Australian Collective Entrepreneurial Society

(ACES) seeks to build this skill set within students, providing

a platform for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs and business

people to connect, learn and develop. Personally, I can say

quite honestly that few things have impacted my professional

and personal life as much as getting involved in societies as

UTS and more specifi cally, engaging with entrepreneurship

through ACES. For those who want to fi nd out more about our

upcoming events, you can fi nd ACES on Facebook.

Ultimately the reality is that more and more people from

across the world answer the call of the entrepreneur each day.

From school leavers to University graduates, to those with

professional experience seeking a career change later in life;

embracing innovation and inspiring change often proves to be

an unparalleled source of inspiration for many.

ENTREPRENEURSHIPBY LUKE SHIELDS, UTS ACES PRESIDENT

02

ACCOUNTING


MAJOR STRUCTURE ACCOUNTING

22

THE MAJOR STRUCTURE

An Accounting major at UTS comprises of 48 credit points

(8 subjects), which build on the core subjects studied in fi rst

year Business. As part of the Accounting major, students must

complete all of the following subjects:

• 22320 Accounting for Business Combinations 6cp

• 22321 Cost Management Systems 6cp

• 22420 Accounting Standards and Regulations 6cp

• 79014 Applied Company Law 6cp

• 22522 Assurance Services and Audit 6cp

• 79017 Taxation Law 6cp

• 22421 Management Decisions and Control 6cp

• 22319 Financial Statement Analysis (Capstone) 6cp

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduating with an Accounting major opens up a wealth

of opportunity with regard to career prospects.

GRADUATE POSITIONS:

• Payroll Offi cer

• Commercial Analyst

• Services Accountant

• Tax Accountant

• Accounts Offi cer

• Analyst

CAREER PROGRESSION:

• Financial Controller

• Senior Accountant

• Business Manager

• Chief Financial Offi cer (CFO)

• Finance Manager

• Senior Tax Specialist

NOTE:

For those students studying a Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Laws, an alternative subject must be substituted in place

of 79014 Applied Company Law. Also, students who complete 76212 Revenue Law as an elective within Law, may apply

to substitute an alternative subject in place of 79017 Taxation Law.

ACCOUNTING Accounting deals with the evaluation and analysis of the fi nancial operations of businesses and organisations, and translating

this knowledge into understandable and demonstrable results. It provides the rules and foundations for the monetary measure-

ment and representation of all business activities, meaning that skilled, qualifi ed accountants are in demand in all sectors.

At UTS Business School, you will be provided with strong intellectual training in the foundation techniques of the accounting dis-

cipline, enabling you to understand accounting, to think critically and creatively about accounting problems and to adapt to the

rapidly changing business environment.


PROFILEACCOUNTING

23

PROFILE OF UTS ACCOUNTING GRADUATEAMY GIANNAKAKOSSENIOR ASSOCIATE, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GROUP -

MACQUARIE FUNDS GROUP

BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING

(MAJOR IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE), 2010

1. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO

AN ACCOUNTING CAREER?

A career in accounting opens up a whole

world of opportunities in the corporate

world. It’s these strong foundations which

allow you to springboard into a variety

of roles across a variety of industries,

whether it would be in banking and fi nan-

cial services or not-for-profi t organisations.

There are no boundaries or limitations on

where you can apply your knowledge; the

sky is your limit.

2. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS PROGRAM?

The Chartered Accountants Program

upholds a strong reputation in the cor-

porate world. Working alongside quali-

fi ed Chartered Accountants during my

internships and as a fi rst-year graduate,

it became clear that there is a noticeable

advantage in the technical and problem-

solving skills of its members. There is

a real investment in your professional

development to make sure the theoreti-

cal concepts translate into real skills in real

business environments. It is these skills

that l wanted to get out of the Program

to strengthen my accounting foundations.

The Chartered Accountants Program is

also a member of the Global Accounting

Alliance and this international recognition

gives me the confi dence to pursue inter-

national career opportunities in the longer

term.

3. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORK DAY?

A typical day for me over month-end would

begin by running the monthly P&L results

for the global infrastructure and real assets

division. I will need to have a strong under-

standing on what is driving movements to

trends in revenues and expenses, whether

it’ll be changes in inputs in the manage-

ment fee model or simply movements in

the exchange rate. These results are then

reported to the Finance regional head,

along with any anticipated movements

before the ledger closes. In the mean-

time, I’ll respond to queries from offshore

accountants relating to tax transfers pric-

ing agreements, attend meetings with the

business team and work closely with our

team in Delhi. Amongst the fast-paced and

busy schedule, there’s always time for a

coffee break with the team (or two!).

4. WHAT DO YOU LIKE

MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

The best part of my job is being able to

make a real difference. As a team member,

my contributions are truly valued and there

is constant encouragement for fresh ideas

from a young perspective. There is a real

push to drive positive change, whether it

would be process effi ciencies or re-mod-

elling procedures. There is ongoing com-

munication with senior management and

strong trust is built on achieving project

results and deadlines independently.

5. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE

OTHER ACCOUNTING STUDENTS ABOUT

TO GRADUATE?

Now that you are about to graduate, con-

sider accounting work experience or sum-

mer vocational programs, where you will

gain invaluable experience in dealing with

and reporting to senior managers, and an

opportunity to taste different corporate

cultures. This will also provide powerful

ammunition on your CV for graduate roles.

As you enter into the corporate world as

graduates, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

As you are thrown into the deep end, you’ll

be required to work independently and be

responsible for managing your workload

and so understand, underpromise and

overdeliver. But most importantly network,

meet new people and leverage off their

experiences.

6. WHAT DO YOU THINK EMPLOYERS

LOOK FOR MOST WHEN RECRUITING

GRADUATES?

Along with sound academic results, it is

important to demonstrate strong leader-

ship, communication and team working

skills expected of future business leaders.

Being able to prove your successes as a

leader in a team environment will differen-

tiate yourself instantly.

7. ANY OTHER COMMENTS

OR TIPS FOR UNI STUDENTS?

Commit yourself 100 per cent to your

studies and develop a foundation of strong

technical skills in accounting. Start thinking

from now about the broad range of busi-

ness-disciplines which shadow account-

ing and immerse yourself into a major

or sub-majors which interests you. But

also remember, get involved in as much

as you can and try new things. There are

hundreds of clubs and societies, so get

involved in ones that interest you and start

to make a difference from now.

0313

-21

Sign up for OneNetwork today

charteredaccountants.com.au/onenetwork

RRRRRRRiiiiiiiisssssseeeeeee ttttttttoooooooo ttttttthhhhhhheeeeeee tttttttooooooooppppppppp wwwwwwwwiiiiiiiiittttttttthhhhh ooooooooouuuuuurrr fffffffrrrrreeeeee ssssstttuuuuuddeennnntttt cclluubbbb As an aspiring Chahartrteredededd AAccccccououououountntntntnn ananananannantt,t,t,t,t,, OneNetwork puts you u firsrsrst t ttt inininninn lllllininininnni e eeee totototo aaaccccccccesesesessessssssa range of career enhancing opopportrttr unununnititii ieieieies.s.s.s.s. You can expect to:• Attend high profile events

Have fun, network with top employers andandmeet new people at a rich line up of events

• Enhance your CVShowcase an enhanced CV by highlighting yourinvolvement in a leading professional businessassociation – OneNetwork

• Secure your dream jobGet ahead of the rest by applying first as jobs open up

• Enter competitionsWith heaps of fun competitions and great prizesup for grabs, you’ll be able to add your winningmoment as an accolade on your CV

• Access information at your finger tipsAccess free editions of Charter magazine online,vodcasts on business and technical topics, andsubscribe to our quarterly enewsletters.

• Build your online networworksksJoJoinin conco versations, proofile your proprofessionalpractical experience and connect witwithpopotent tial empployers through our excluslusiveLiLinkenkedIndIn GroGroupup forfor univerve sity stus dents.s. AlsA ojooin us ono Facaceboebookok toto conconnecnectt witwith othhererstudents and share your thoughug ts.ts.

facebook/charteredaccountants

Chartered Accountants – OneNetwork

Work and live overseas

Chartered Accountants can work all around the world

and are recognised by the accounting bodies in the

leading financial centres. The Institute is a founding

member of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA),

and currently the only Australian member within the

Alliance. The GAA represents a network of 800,000

accounting professionals and leaders in countries

such as, the United States, New Zealand, Canada,

South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Hong Kong,

Germany, Japan, England and Wales.

Find job security

Chartered Accountants are in demand both in

Australia and overseas. They are some of the most

highly regarded professionals in the business world

today, not only in accounting firms but in all sectors of

business, government and not-for-profit organisations.

Chartered Accountants are valued for their commercial

know-how, analytical thinking and leadership abilities.

Have choices

Chartered Accountants have diverse roles such

as CEO, CFO, forensic accountant, management

consultant, stockbroker and business analyst,

which span across commerce and industry,

government, public practice and not-for-profit.

To find out more, see some of our technical

vodcasts, play some games and get connected

check out our website.

charteredaccountants.com.au/students

Achieve Graduate Diplomaof Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA)

Admission to membership

Chartered Accountant

Accredited undergraduate/masters degreeor alternative entry pathway

Integrates technical knowledge and professional skills, using complex

real life case studies, to become a well-rounded professional

Mentored Practical Experience

14 weeksOnline learning,

3 face-to-face workshopsWorkshops (40%),

Final exam (60%)

12 weeks eachOnline learning,

Optional face-to-face lectforum (Aus)/virtual clas

3 online assessmentsFinal exam (80%)

3 yeatim

C

ops technical competence through problem-based

ing using case studies and scenarios

onal th

Capstone

Audit & Assurance Taxation

ManagementAccounting& Applied Finance

Financial Accounting& Reporting

Integrates technical knowledge and professional skills,

using complex real life case studies, to become a

well-rounded professional

Develops technical competence through

problem-based learning usingcase studies

and scenarios

14 weeks

Online learning, 3 face-to-face workshops

12 weeks each

Online learning, Optional face-to-face

lecture forum (Aus)/virtual

classrooms

Develops professional competence with guidance from a Chartered Accountant

3 years approved full time (or equivalent)Concurrent to study

The Chartered Accountants Program

Obtain the best postgraduate accounting qualification

The Chartered Accountants Program is the program

of choice for the elite of Australian business including

the Big 4 accounting firms, small and medium-sized

accounting firms, major corporations and government

departments. The Chartered Accountants Program

is the only Australian professional accounting

qualification accredited as a postgraduate award

(Graduate Diploma). It also provides exemptions

towards a range of further specialist study at

a masters level.

Institute of Chartered Accountants AustraliaThe Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia is the professional accounting

body that represents around 60,000 Chartered Accountants in around 108 countries.

Wanting to see the world didn’t stop

Josh from advancing his career. He

began the CPA Program working at

Macquarie Bank in London. When

he returned to Sydney, Josh had the

skills he needed to gain a coveted

position in Strategic Investments at

Commonwealth Bank. Start your

success story with the CPA Program.

Get connectedCPA Australia’s global student network

connects you to

+ employers

+ internships

+ networking events

+ career advice and resources

+ study support

Get connectedGet noticedGet ahead

Join now at cpaaustralia.com.au/cpapassport

Joshua Morris CPAManager – Strategic Investments Commonwealth Bank

Starting out at the busy Audit Office in

Brisbane didn’t leave Eve much time

for professional development. The CPA

Program provided a flexible solution

that allowed Eve to progress at her

own pace and balance her workload.

As a CPA, Eve’s career has really

taken off through several great roles

before landing a dream job as Financial

Analyst at BHP Billiton. Start your

success story with the CPA Program.

Get connectedCPA Australia’s global student network

connects you to

+ employers

+ internships

+ networking events

+ career advice and resources

+ study support

Get connectedGet noticedGet ahead

Join now at cpaaustralia.com.au/cpapassport

Eve Cheng CPA Financial Analyst BHP Billiton Australia


FIRM PROFILE ACCOUNTING

28

The letters CPA are a professional accounting designation,

held by members of CPA Australia. They are displayed after

a member’s name (a post nominal) to indicate both technical

accounting expertise and strategic business leadership.

Being a CPA will put you ahead of the curve, giving you the

recognition and knowledge sought by employers. As a CPA,

you’ll do more than merely think through the numbers – you’ll

create business solutions.

The fi rst step to becoming a CPA is to complete an accredited

accounting, commerce or business degree and, if required,

demonstrate the equivalent core knowledge through CPA

Australia’s foundation level exams.

While studying the CPA Program you are an Associate (ASA)

member of CPA Australia and hold the ASA designation. To

become a CPA you must complete the CPA Program, includ-

ing three years of relevant work experience.

If you’re planning a successful career grounded in accounting,

plan to begin working towards your professional designation

after you graduate.

The CPA Program is rigorous and internationally recognised.

By combining accounting knowledge with strategic thinking

and practical experience, it offers the perfect start to a reward-

ing career.

More than 400 leading academics and business professionals

from around the world contribute to the design, development

and delivery of the CPA Program ensuring it remains current,

relevant and of the highest quality. With the advantage of

the CPA Program, you have every chance to succeed in your

career in accounting.

WHY COMPLETE THE CPA PROGRAM:

• gain the globally-recognised CPA designation

• be prepared for numerous roles – not just in accounting or fi nance

• specialise in your area of interest

• receive ongoing support and training – at every stage in your career

• enjoy the advantages of a CPA career

• access a network of professionals

• have the potential to earn an extremely competitive salary

TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS, YOU REALLY NEED TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.


ARTICLEACCOUNTING

29

STEP 1: BE ORGANIZED

Work out what industry you would like to do a Vacation Pro-

gram in or if you have heaps of time on your hands and will

be applying everywhere. Next, compile a list of fi rms in that

industry by grabbing your closest careers guide (hint: this one)

or head to websites such as those listing graduate positions

or the BRW list series. Then obtain all the application closing

dates for these fi rms via their individual websites. This plan-

ning stage is really important as fi rms in the commercial world

all have different closing dates for applications that often open

in March/April and a few fi rms will operate rolling recruitment

days and just close as soon as all positions are fi lled. These

initial steps are really important as there is no central industry

body that runs the application process for Vacation Programs,

therefore all the planning falls on you to create your own

game plan.

Attend as many Careers Days and Networking Events as possi-

ble. UTS Careers and UTS Business Society run different events

with the big fi rms and there are also events run by industry

bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Firms

that offer Vacationer Positions will be there and it is a great

opportunity to introduce yourself to their HR representatives,

fi nd out more about what they look for and more importantly, to

have a chat and express your interest in their Vacation Program.

STEP 2: THE APPLICATION

Most fi rms will require an online application through their

website. Although each fi rm is different, generally speaking an

online application requires an academic transcript, work his-

tory including key roles and responsibilities held and details of

extracurricular involvement. Not all fi rms require your typical

cover letter and CV combination so make sure all the relevant

parts of your CV make it into your application somewhere.

You will also be required to answer such questions like “Why

do you want to work in Restructuring / in Asset Management

/ in Audit / in Finance?” or “Why do you want to work at X

fi rm?” A tip to answering these last questions effectively is

to research what the fi rms values are / what is important to

them and link this in with your prior extracurricular involve-

ment / work experience / careers goals to answer the ques-

tion. This is the tricky part – but practice makes perfect! Make

sure to keep a complete record of each application submitted.

You will see how your applications improve as each one is sub-

mitted and fi rms in similar industries may ask slightly similar

questions or have similar values they look for in a Vacationer.

HOW TO GET A VACATIONER POSITIONBY ISABELLE DUGGAN

During the course of my degree I’ve been fortunate enough to have done three Vacation Programs; at RSM Bird Cameron, BDO

and more recently at Ernst & Young. Vacation Programs are run at a variety of fi rms in industries such as Banking, Investment

Banking, Accounting, Management Consulting, Insolvency and Restructuring, Insurance and various Financial Services fi rms.

Although targeted mainly at students in their penultimate year, many fi rms have been known to offer positions to those who

have up to two years left at university.

I would highly recommend applying for a Vacation Program to get a feel for the work in different areas of the

commercial world, to build a network and for the opportunity to obtain a graduate position. Not to mention it is

an absolutely invaluable experience for your CV and is a lot of fun.

ALREADY CONVINCED? HERE ARE THE STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE:


ARTICLE ACCOUNTING

30

If your application is successful you will get an email or a

phone call from HR. They will sometimes call you on the spot

and ask a few interview type questions (this has been known

to happen so be prepared!). Or you may receive an email

asking you to complete a literacy / IQ / numeracy test online,

often to be completed within a 48hr period, so check your

email frequently after submitting your applications.

If you are successful at making it past this stage you will be

invited to attend a recruitment day. Generally they will be a

half day or an all day process at the offi ce of the fi rm with

other applicants consisting of any or all of the following; an

interview or two, more literacy and numeracy tests, an infor-

mal networking session (often over lunch with anyone from

graduates to partners), team based problem solving activities

and maybe an offi ce tour.

YOU MUST PREPARE WELL FOR THIS DAY:

• Research the fi rm (again).

• Know the application you submitted.

• Think about how your skills and experience so far demonstrate your leadership skills / ability to work effectively in a team /

problem solving skills / other skills or values that the fi rm looks for in a Vacationer.

• Read the business section of major newspapers and research the industry in which the fi rm operates. Have they been

involved in a landmark deal recently?

• Think about what questions to ask your interviewers / HR representatives / graduates you will meet on the day. This shows

your intelligence and enthusiasm for the fi rm’s Vacation Program.

• Take along a copy of your application, CV and your passport (most fi rms require this).

• Be well dressed (business attire) and on time!

This is the end of the recruitment process for most fi rms, however some fi rms do conduct another interview after this day.

If that is the case repeat the preparation above. Following this you will get an email or phone call from a HR representative

or even a manager or partner of the fi rm advising you of the outcome of the recruitment process you have completed and

if you have a Vacationer Position for the following summer holidays. Sign the contract and you’re on your way!

STEP 3: TESTING AND RECRUITMENT DAYS


PROFILEACCOUNTING

31UTS BUSINESS SOCIETY CAREERS GUIDE

Monday, November 26, 2012

– fi rst day of work. Having

arrived almost three-quarters

of an hour early (public transport – shows

just how much I trust it), I sat in a café

near PwC wondering just what the next

six weeks will be like – what I will learn,

what I will do, who I will meet? However,

the most important thought that crossed

my mind while fi nishing my coffee was,

“how on earth do I get to the PwC recep-

tion again?”

It was a terrifyingly exciting day when

I started at PwC as part of their 2012/13

Summer Vacation Program. After a

well-planned stroll through the Darling

Park Towers, I made it to the lobby and

quickly realised I knew no one. This soon

became an insignifi cant detail as, by the

end of my six weeks, I had made lasting

friendships across various service lines

and positions.

For six weeks, I had the pleasure of

being part of the Corporate Tax Team. I

had the opportunity to work on a range of

clients from the mining, property, fi nan-

cial services and high-end consumer

products industries and providing a vari-

ety of services. Exposure to this assort-

ment of clients and roles illustrated just

how diverse and dynamic the Tax space

is, but more broadly, the business envi-

ronment as a whole.

Broadly, Tax is broken into two ser-

vices – consulting and compliance.

Consulting usually relates to a specifi c

business issue where you’re required

to investigate what the relevant legisla-

tion, rulings etc. say about the matter

and then advise the client accordingly.

Compliance on the other hand has to do

with the ‘numbers’ side of life – checking

and calculating tax returns and ensuring

everything has been accounted for cor-

rectly. Along with this, we were given

non-client projects to work on for the

duration of our program that focused on

a technical aspect of Tax.

You’re probably thinking that you

need a substantial knowledge of Tax in

order to apply for a position in this area

– you don’t. I applied and was accepted

while I was completing my one and

only tax subject (at the time) as part of

my Accounting major. I certainly expe-

rienced a steep learning curve in wrap-

ping my head around some of the more

complex technical issues and jargon, but

the support network around you is sim-

ply amazing. I’m not just talking about

the electronic databases and printed

resources available, but the people – the

genuine generosity of time, knowledge,

care and empathy is what really cap-

tured my attention and appreciation.

Aside from the actual work, we had

the opportunity to ‘shadow’ (follow

around) partners and senior manage-

ment. This was one of the more interest-

ing and eye-opening experiences I had

and gave me the best insight into how a

professional services fi rm actually oper-

ates, the responsibilities entrusted to

and decisions being made by the part-

ners and how they got to where they

are. By sheer serendipity, PwC Australia

was rolling out new company values at

the time. We were able to participate in

a student team “Innovation Challenge”

to design a way in which the values can

receive mass and enduring exposure,

both within the company and externally.

Also, the Program is certainly at the

right time of year in regards to the social

aspects of work – I found this to be a

fantastic way to get to know people on

a more personal level and without the

‘constraints’ of a work environment.

Work is very different from university

– you’ll learn what happens in the ‘real

world’ is not always what you’re taught.

However, in saying this, work requires

you to think on your feet, even forcing

you to recall things you did in Autumn of

fi rst year. It requires some discipline to

get up every day in order to get to work

on time (and taking into account public

transport issues), but you’ll soon realise

that if your job is truly what you want

to do, getting up in the morning is a lot

more bearable.

As cliché as it is, you honestly have

nothing to lose by applying for a Vaca-

tioner Program, and everything to gain

if you do. I truly believe that the Vaca-

tioner Program at PwC works both ways

– it’s as much about you learning all you

can and taking hold of all opportunities

that come your way (there are plenty of

them) as it is for them to see if it’s a suit-

able place of employment for you in the

future. And some fi nal pieces of advice:

keep your ears and eyes open and don’t

ever be afraid to ask questions – I hope

you’ll believe me when I say that you’ll

be surprised by what you learn if you do.

KATHERYNE BARETASBACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING (ACCOUNTING, INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND TAXATION LAW)

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS (PWC) SUMMER VACATIONER | TAX AND LEGAL – CORPORATE TAX

SUCCESSFUL VACATIONER RECOUNT

• Debt & Capital Advisory • Actuarial • Succession Planning • Cloud Assurance •

Stam

p D

uty

• D

ue D

ilige

nce

• O

pe

ratio

ns Improvement

People & Change M

anagement • Project Assurance • International A

ssig

nmen

t Sol

utio

ns •

Cor

pora

te &

Pro

ject Finance • Indirect Taxes

Forensics • Personal Estate Plan

ning &

Wealth Management • Internal A

udit

• R

esea

rch

& D

evel

opment • Technology Risk &

Security • Financial Reporting Advice •

Trans

fer

Pri

cing

• V

alua

tions

& Value Advisory Services

Strategy • M

ergers & Acquisitions • Corp

orat

e Ta

x C

onsu

lting

& C

ompliance • Financial Assurance •

•

•

KeyOpen to international studentscurrently studying in AustraliaOpen to Australian orNew Zealand Citizensand Australian PermanentResidents

Year 12

First year

Two or more years remaining

Second last year

Final year

© 2013 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. January 2013. NSWN10606PPC.

LIVE. LEARN. DISCOVER. ACHIEVE.

At KPMG, we provide an open and friendly

environment that offers long-term growth, constant

challenge and generous rewards. It’s a philosophy

that will continue throughout your career with us

and touch every stage of your development.

We call it ‘Live. Learn. Discover. Achieve.’

To discover more about career opportunities at

KPMG, visit the‘Careers’ section of our website.

kpmg.com.au

Scan with your smart phone to find out more.


FIRM PROFILEACCOUNTING

37

LIVE. LEARN. DISCOVER. ACHIEVE.It can be daunting. But KPMG can give you a good idea of

where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.

We’re seeking bright minds from all degree disciplines who

are interested in a challenging and rewarding career with one

of the world’s leading professional services’ fi rms.

Application for our 2014 Graduate and 2013/2014 Summer

Vacation Program are now open, apply now at kpmg.com.au

OUR CULTURE AND VALUESAs one of the world’s leading professional services fi rms, we

cut through complexity to help organisations in over 150 coun-

tries to work smarter, grow and prosper. Here in Australia, we

employ around 5,200 people across 13 offi ces and work with

some of the most high profi le public and private names.

Our open and friendly culture encourages you to explore and

share new ideas, and build a successful and individual career

at your own pace.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTOur people never stop learning.

Forward thinking development and growth programs to sup-

port your personal interests and ambitions are the foundations

on which all graduate careers are built at KPMG.

WHAT WE OFFER UNDERGRADUATESKPMG offers graduate, vacation, cadetship and co-operative

recruitment programs to students and university graduates.

Nationally, KPMG is one of the largest employers of graduates,

vacationers and cadets and co-ops.

SEEKINGWe’re open-minded about people.

Our standards are high but we’re interested in more than just

academic records. We’re looking for talented people, team

players and progressive thinkers who can communicate their

ideas with passion.

DEGREES/DISCIPLINESAll disciplines accepted.

HOW TO APPLYFor closing dates and vacancies in your preferred offi ce and to

submit your online application, please visit the ‘Careers’ sec-

tion of our website.

PROGRAMS & DEADLINESCadetship • Cooperative • Vacation Work • Graduate

For closing dates and vacancies in your preferred offi ce please

see our website.

CITIZENSHIP/RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTSKPMG accepts applications from international students major-

ing in Accounting for our Graduate Program.

All other programs are open to Australian Citizens and Perma-

nent Residents ONLY (including New Zealand Citizens).

POSITION LOCATIONSAustralia-wide

FURTHER INFORMATIONkpmg.com.au

KPMG GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

Find us:www.facebook.com/DeloitteAustralia

Follow us:@Green_Dot@AuDeloittian

Download us:iPhone app,Join Deloitte

Download us:Android app,Join Deloitte

watch us:Deloittetv.deloitte.com.au

Watch us:www.youtube.com/DeloitteAustralia

It’s your future How far will you take it?We encourage our employees to help architect the future direction of our business. Choose from our range of graduate opportunities within Audit, Consulting, Tax, Financial Advisory Services and Technology that will stimulate, reward and motivate you like no other. Step into your future.

graduates.deloitte.com.au

For the past seven months Deloitte has delivered... I didn’t expect that some of the most rewarding experiences would come from the clients that I’ve worked with

Amanda BottConsultingOne of the most exciting prospects for me was to be a part of Deloitte’s culture. It’s one of the reasons that I’ve heard many prospective graduates cite when speaking about what is important to them. For the past seven months Deloitte has delivered. However, I didn’t expect that some of the most rewarding experiences have come from the clients that I’ve worked with.

For most of my graduate career, I have worked on a large scale finance transformation at a diverse construction, development and investment company. While playing a part in program management has been challenging at times, the support of great clients and the Deloitte team has enabled me to ‘embrace the deep end’ and continue to shape my role.

I’ve seen the ‘empower and trust’ signal in action throughout this major project. I’ve been given the chance to take on challenging work and directly support senior client management, which is not a typical graduate role. However, it is the flexibility and support of the Deloitte leaders who manage delivery while also giving the team personal opportunities to grow.

I have found that the most unexpected professional opportunity has come from working with a predominantly female, senior leadership team. Not only are these women talented and extremely accomplished, they have also made the time to develop meaningful relationships with the team members, including myself, which has been very inspirational.

The culture and initiatives like Inspiring Women and The Deloitte Foundation make Deloitte an exceptional place to work, but I have discovered that working with our clients from day to day can be the source of some of the most rewarding experiences.

This publication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms, or their related entities (collectively the “Deloitte Network”) is, by means of this publication, rendering professional advice or services.

Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte Network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this publication.

About DeloitteDeloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/au/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and high-quality service to clients, delivering the insights they need to address their most complex business challenges. Deloitte has in the region of 200,000 professionals, all committed to becoming the standard of excellence.

About Deloitte AustraliaIn Australia, the member firm is the Australian partnership of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. As one of Australia’s leading professional services firms, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its affiliates provide audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through approximately 6,000 people across the country. Focused on the creation of value and growth, and known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, we are dedicated to helping our clients and our people excel. For more information, please visit Deloitte’s web site at www.deloitte.com.au.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

© 2012 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu



41

At Ernst & Young we want you to be yourself. We want

you to bring your intelligence, energy and integrity into

our business. Think how much further you’ll go sur-

rounded by people who encourage you to express your

ideas and who’ll respect your opinions.

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transactions

and advisory services. Our 167,000 people are united by our

shared values, which inspire our people worldwide and guide

them to do the right thing, and our commitment to quality,

which is embedded in who we are and everything we do.

Ernst & Young is committed to doing its part in building a bet-

ter working world for our people, for our clients and for our

communities.

JOIN ERNST & YOUNG AND SHAPE YOUR CAREER.

CREATE YOUR FUTURETurn your hard work and studies into the future you want. We’ll

provide you with the support, the experiences and the oppor-

tunities to create a career that inspires you. Because that’s

when you’ll do your best work for us and for our clients.

At Ernst & Young, you’ll help defi ne us and we’ll help defi ne

you.

You’ll have all the coaching, formal training and leadership

development you need to progress quickly. You’ll have experi-

ences that will set you up for success, both now and in the

future.

Using the knowledge you’ve gained from your studies, you’ll

help all types of companies, from entrepreneurial start-ups to

multinationals. And, in the process, you’ll build your reputation

as a trusted business advisor and develop relationships that

you’ll draw on for the rest of your professional career.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR...Individuals who are committed, talented, curious, energetic,

inquisitive and ready to become successful business profes-

sionals.

We’re interested in talented students and graduates from

many disciplines, including: accounting, actuarial, busi-

ness, commerce, economics, engineering, fi nance, human

resources, information systems, law and science.

JOIN ERNST & YOUNG AND CREATE YOUR FUTURE. APPLY NOW!Apply online at www.ey.com/au/careers/apply. Click on your

preferred program and complete the application form and

attach a copy of your academic transcript.

EXPERIENCES THAT LAST A LIFETIMEWhatever your degree or discipline, with Ernst & Young you

can create the future you want. Connect with us and keep in

touch.

Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eycareers

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EY_Australia

Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/

ernstandyoung/careers

Discover more at: www.ey.com/au/careers

©2013 Ernst & Young, Australia. All Rights Reserved.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

ERNST & YOUNG GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES


PROFILE ACCOUNTING

42

WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHILST

UNDERTAKING THE SUMMER

VACATIONER POSITION?

The entire experience was a learning

curve. The program ran for 8 weeks from

December 2012 to February 2013 and as

I was working in the Assurance service

line, I spent the majority of the program

working outside of the offi ce on client

sites around Sydney, performing half-

year reviews and year-end audits.

The program began with one and a half

weeks worth of training at the Sydney

offi ce. It was during this time that I was

able to familiarise myself with the opera-

tions of the business and the audit pro-

cess. I was also able to network with

other vacationers and colleagues during

social events organised by the fi rm.

The rest of the program was spent

working on client engagements. This is

ultimately where the greatest learning

opportunities presented themselves. As

an Assurance vacationer, I was able to

work within different industry teams,

including Consumer Products (CP), Tech-

nology, Entertainment and Communi-

cations (TCE) and Real Estate. Thus, on

a week-by-week basis, I worked on a

different client with a new engagement

team. I quickly learnt the importance of

being organised by keeping a detailed

schedule and taking notes. I also learnt

how to communicate effectively with

a variety of clients and team members,

as maintaining a good working relation-

ship with both parties is essential when

undertaking an audit. Furthermore, I

learnt practical audit skills, as I per-

formed substantive procedures on sig-

nifi cant balance sheet accounts.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT

TO STUDIES AT UNIVERSITY?

Studying a subject, such as audit, at uni-

versity will provide you with a good theo-

retical and practical basis. However, it is

through working in the industry that real

meaning is given to what you have learnt.

You are able to apply your university stud-

ies to real life situations and build upon

your prior knowledge and skills through

both formal and informal training and

professional development programs.

WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE

DURING THE VACATIONER PROGRAM?

During the fi rst week of the Vacationer

Program, I found it diffi cult to adjust to

working full-time in a corporate environ-

ment. However, Ernst & Young ensured

that Vacationers were given the proper

guidance from the beginning. I was

assigned a ‘Buddy’ (an Accountant) that

taught me how to complete essential

tasks such as fi lling in my timesheet. I

was also assigned a ‘Counsellor’ (a Sen-

ior Accountant) that guided me through

the program. My counsellor helped me

set my own professional goals and also

alleviated any concerns I had.

Furthermore, as it was my fi rst time

working in Assurance, I found it diffi cult

to understand some of the tasks that I

was required to complete. Despite this, I

found that through asking my colleagues

questions and seeking feedback, I was

able to understand and carry out the

work that I had been allocated effectively.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT

YOUR TIME AS A VACATIONER?

I enjoyed being able to work with and

learn from a wide range of experienced

and talented people across the Assur-

ance service line. I also enjoyed the

unique opportunities that the fi rm pro-

vided vacationers, including Partner

shadowing.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR

STUDENTS CONSIDERING APPLYING FOR

A VACATIONER POSITION?

I would strongly recommend penulti-

mate year accounting students to apply

for a vacationer position - it is a great way

to get work experience, network with

others and possibly secure a graduate

position before completing your studies.

When looking for a Vacationer Pro-

gram, ensure that you research the fi rm

and the area that you are interested in.

Attend careers events and talk to repre-

sentatives from the fi rm to gather more

information and cast a good impression.

When completing online applications,

ensure that you invest time in research-

ing and drafting your responses. If you

make it to the next recruitment round,

which may be a phone interview or

assessment day, prepare and practice

your interview responses (including

being able to discuss your reasons for

applying to the fi rm and service line).

LAURA-MARIE RULLOBACHELOR OF BUSINESS (ACCOUNTING AND IT)

ERNST & YOUNG SUMMER VACATIONER – ASSURANCE

SUCCESSFUL VACATIONER RECOUNT


ARTICLEACCOUNTING

43

WHAT AREA OF ACCOUNTING

ARE YOU PRIMARILY INVOLVED IN?

KordaMentha is a corporate recovery

and advisory fi rm and doesn’t fall into a

particular accounting area such as audit,

management accounting or tax. How-

ever we do have a strong understanding

of accounting and how businesses work.

This knowledge is used in analysing and

hopefully turning around distressed

companies.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU WERE TOLD

WHEN APPLYING FOR GRADUATE ROLES?

Avoid the marketing spin, the promise of

fancy trips away or high salaries. The key

to enjoying your work is the people you

work with, and if you’re not happy you

won’t succeed.

Remember, your interviews are also

about you fi nding out about the fi rm not

just them fi nding out about you. Don’t

go to a fi rm that is disengaged with the

recruiting process – they won’t value

your work, if you don’t feel comfortable

and (relatively) relaxed, then you may not

fi t with the organisation and if you aren’t

enjoying the conversation, the culture

may not be for you.

HOW IS YOUR WORK DIFFERENT

TO STUDIES AT UNIVERSITY?

The real world doesn’t fall into the neat

little boxes that you are taught at univer-

sity. Most issues are full of intricacies

and interrelationships that have to be

considered when making decisions. The

commercial reality of a decision is often

very different to a theoretical outcome.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE?

KordaMentha is the market leader in fi nd-

ing innovative solutions to problems. We

particularly focus on fi nding a commer-

cial solution that may require a bit of ‘out

of the box’ thinking. The ability to look at

a complex problem and come up with a

simple and logical solution is a skill that

only comes with experience. The more

of these issues you face, the better you

get at coming up with solutions.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY

MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

This is an easy one! The people. I have

been at KordaMentha for fi ve years. In

this time the Sydney offi ce alone has

grown from a team of about 25 to over

100. Throughout the growth the fi rm has

managed to keep a fantastic fi rm cul-

ture; we are all very good friends. I have

worked in a number of organisations and

none have been like this.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR

STUDENTS CONSIDERING APPLYING

FOR A POSITION IN THIS FIELD?

The industry isn’t for everyone, there is

not a stereotypical day, you won’t have

a ‘routine’ or a month-end and will be

faced with new challenges every day.

If you are someone who is diligent and

enthusiastic and likes the idea of con-

stantly being challenged then it may just

be for you.

If you think it is for you then research

– know as much as you can about the

industry, the main players, the drivers

and key news items. Speak with some-

one in the industry if not the company

you are applying for, it will make a dif-

ference in the interview and show you

are keen.

TYSON GUNDERSENBACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)

KORDAMENTHA | SENIOR EXECUTIVE ANALYST

INSOLVENCY INDUSTRY

www.bdo.com.au/grads

You can choose the type of relationship you wish to have with BDO. At BDO we will provide you with a career roadmap for your entire learning and development journey.

If you’re looking for support with your career development with a culture that offers adventure through travel with secondment programs, you should consider BDO.

Every journey requires a roadmap just to get from point A to point B. If you are unsure of your destination, we have provided a guide on how you may wish to travel with BDO throughout your career journey to succeed both professionally and personally.

Your career. Your journey. Your BDO.

Distinctively different – It’s how we see you.

“Since starting as a graduate at BDO I have been provided with the opportunity to work on a variety of projects including completing individual and company tax returns, research and liaising with the ATO. Having recently started my CA, I have been provided with extensive learning and training resources and support throughout the fi rm. I would recommend BDO to anyone looking for a positive start to

their career.”

MELISSA BISHOP, GRADUATE



45

BDO employs over 300 people in New South Wales, including

over 40 partners. There are 3 offi ces including Sydney, Tugge-

rah and Caringbah.

GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2014 We are excited to be offering graduate positions for com-

mencement in 2014. Our graduates are extremely important

to us as they represent the future leaders of the fi rm and are

the secret to our success. We look for people who display

energy, ambition, potential and a quest for learning.

BUSINESS SPECIALITIES At BDO we provide a full range of audit, tax and advisory ser-

vices such as Audit, Business Recovery & Insolvency, Corpo-

rate Finance, Private Clients and Tax.

CLIENTS At BDO our focus on developing strong client relationships

has helped deliver proven results for our clients. Just like

our people, we know that each of our clients is distinctively

different. Their needs drive our approach and we tailor our

thinking to their specifi c situation. We apply this thinking to

clients ranging from large corporate organisations to private

businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals across a range of

industry sectors.

INDUCTION AND MENTORING PROGRAM As a new employee it is important that we help you fi nd your

feet and adjust to a new environment and culture.

All our graduates are assigned a ‘buddy’ upon commence-

ment. We pride ourselves on the personal attention we give

to each new employee ensuring they understand their respon-

sibilities, the reasoning behind the work they are doing and

where to go for help if required. This commitment to contin-

ued support is provided throughout your career at BDO.

STUDY SUPPORTBDO, as a Chartered Accounting fi rm, offers support and

incentives for all employees to successfully complete the CA

program and become a member of the Institute of Chartered

Accountants Australia.

BDO GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

BDO PROVIDES:

• Upfront payment of enrolment fees

• A range of external support options including notes, lecture series, practice exams

• Paid study leave.

• Internally run focus sessions to compliment those provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants

HOW TO APPLY Applications for BDO Sydney close on 25 March 2013. Applications will only be accepted via www.bdo.com.au/grads


ARTICLE ACCOUNTING

46

My area of expertise is in account-

ing cadetships – and I am currently

undertaking one with ESV Chartered

Accountants, a mid-tier accounting fi rm

in the CBD. I have been working at

ESV full-time since January 2011 when

I fi rst commenced at UTS studying a

combined Business (Accounting) / Law

degree, so I can certainly share some

insights into the sorts of work you

would normally be given and the chal-

lenges I face in the role.

I seized the opportunity to pursue full-

time work in the accounting industry

fresh out of high school and had spent

a good few months during mid-year 12

researching into and applying at various

fi rms. Accounting cadetships are nor-

mally offered to high school graduates,

but many fi rms are increasingly mov-

ing towards hiring fi rst and second year

Business degree students as cadets,

simply because in most cases they have

had some sort of exposure to account-

ing theory through completion of fi rst-

year accounting subjects, which cer-

tainly puts you in a better position when

tackling client work in your role.

The good news is that there is a way to

alleviate the stress of fi nding a job post-

university - the best way to do this is to

fi nd a job before you fi nish university.

Perhaps even before you start! Which

is what the focus of this piece is – it’s

about the opportunity to pursue what is

known as a ‘cadetship’, something that

gives you a head start, a competitive

edge and a way forward! The bad news

is that it’s not easy to get a cadetship –

but let me tell you; it is well worth the

time and effort, and will put you miles

ahead of the rest!

A cadetship is typically defi ned as full-

time work and part-time study, though

there are various other combinations

(addressed below). The beauty of a

cadetship is that not only are you earn-

ing an income while you are studying,

but you are also gaining hands-on expe-

rience in the industry. Cadetships are

typically offered in Accounting and Engi-

neering, but there are clerkships avail-

able to students studying law as well as

internship opportunities in various indus-

tries – all of which are useful to obtain

relevant work experience.

THE CADETSHIPBY NICHOLAS ROKKAS, ESV CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

What doors will my degree open for me? Are my marks good enough? Who is going to hire me after I graduate? These are all

typical questions pondered by university students as they progress through their degree, across a range of disciplines – busi-

ness, law, engineering, arts, and anything else! And probably the biggest thing on the minds of university students as they inch

closer to and complete their fi nal semesters, is what opportunities are available for them to grab beyond the world of university.

A cadetship is typically defi ned as full-time work and part-time study, though there are various other combinations (addressed below). The beauty of a cadetship is that not only are you earning an income while you are studying, but you are also gaining hands-on experience in the industry.


ARTICLEACCOUNTING

47

The application process involved to get

your hands on one of these cadetship

opportunities is pretty rigorous – but

they have to be, because they want

all-rounders; sociable, enthusiastic and

intelligent people to add some real

value to their fi rms. The process varies

depending on the particular fi rm, but it

will typically include a mix of telephone

and face-to-face interviews plus written

exercises, all of which are designed to

gauge the type of person you are, how

you think, what experiences and skills

you can bring to the fi rm and the likeli-

hood of you being a good cultural fi t. It

sounds daunting (and I won’t lie, it is!)

but the best thing to do when it comes

to going for these positions is to just be

yourself and don’t be afraid to tell the

employer what is that you can offer, and

what makes you stand out from the rest.

I have personally enjoyed the challenge

of working full-time and simultaneously

combining this with full-time univer-

sity study. Some say I’m crazy and ask

me how I do it - and why I put myself

through such a rigorous program - but

one of the things I can confi dently say

is that if you enjoy what you do, and

put your mind to it, you can achieve the

things you set out to achieve.

After starting as a cadet at ESV in Janu-

ary 2011, I was promoted to Intermedi-

ate Accountant earlier this year and now

have two cadets working under me, for

which I have responsibility to train them

and to delegate work to them. This has

defi nitely been one of the most reward-

ing parts of my role on a personal level.

On a professional level, I have gained

exposure to a broad range of client ser-

vices, including taxation, superannua-

tion, bookkeeping and audit, and have

had opportunities to market the fi rm

at Institute of Chartered Accountants

(ICAA) events and local high schools. I

have been mentored by leaders in the

industry, constantly learning new things

on a daily basis and have formed close

friendships with many of my colleagues.

On a fi nal note, if you are someone

studying Business and are interested

in accounting, consider a cadetship –

not only will you be supported as you

complete your degree, but your skill set

and knowledge will transform in incred-

ible ways and you will be ahead of the

pack when you graduate. I guarantee

many doors will open for you, because

in today’s competitive job market, there

is nothing more valuable than practical

industry experience and that’s what you

can be sure you’re going to get from a

cadetship.

The application process involved to get your hands on one of these cadetship opportunities is pretty rigorous – but they have to be, because they want all-rounders; sociable, enthusiastic and intelligent people to add some real value to their fi rms.

03

ECONOMICS


MAJOR STRUCTUREECCONOMICS

49

THE MAJOR STRUCTURE

An Economics major at UTS comprises

of 48 credit points (8 subjects).

As part of the Economics major, students must

complete all of the following subjects:

• 23566 Economics for Business 2 6cp

• 23567 Intermediate Microeconomics 6cp

• 23568 Intermediate Macroeconomics 6cp

• 23571 Introductory Econometrics 6cp

• 23580 The Global Economy (Capstone) 6cp

Additionally, you will have a choice of completing

18 credit points from the following:

• 23021 Labour Economics 6cp

• 23022 Public Economics 6cp

• 23418 Economics of Money and Finance 6cp

• 23569 Economic Growth and Development 6cp

• 23570 Economics of the Environment 6cp

• 23623 Alternative Perspectives in

Contemporary Economics 6cp

• 23565 Mathematics for Economics and Business 6cp

• 23572 Applied Microeconometrics 6cp

• 23592 Game Theory 6cp

• 23593 Industrial Organisation 6cp

• 23591 Economics of Law 6cp

• 23999 Business Internship 6cp

CAREER PROSPECTS

Careers exist across industry, government organisations and

fi nancial institutions in roles which focus on undertaking analy-

sis for and providing advice to policymakers, funds managers

and other corporate strategic decision makers.

GRADUATE POSITIONS:

• Member of Economic Consulting Team

• Data Analyst

• Statistician

• Economic Markets Report Writer

• Policy Analyst

• Market Analyst

• Researcher

CAREER PROGRESSION:

• Policymaker

• Senior Policy Analyst

• Economic Strategist

• Econometrician

• Economic Natural Resources Manager

• Finance Manager

• International Trade Analyst

• Natural Resource Manager

• Economist in a range of sectors

ECONOMICSThe study of economics provides students with a greater understanding of how people, businesses and governments make

decisions based on their economic environment. Economics seeks to understand these issues by developing a systematic

approach to analysing resource allocation, price determination, income distribution, economic growth and the welfare conse-

quences of economic policies.

A major in economics at UTS is centred on equipping students with powerful tools to systematically evaluate economic behaviour

and policy for a wide range of economic problems: fi rm and consumer behaviour, labour markets, government tax and expendi-

ture policy, environmental and resource management, regulating fi nancial systems and managing the aggregate economy.

Key analytical tools include microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, empirical analysis using econometric modelling, and game theory.


PROFILE ECONOMICS

50

I was faced with the decision during

my third year of a combined Business

and Law degree to selectively choose

one major and opted with Economics.

Why? Mainly it was a personal choice

because it was one of the more enjoy-

able options available.

I grew to understand the wide-ranging

possibilities that studying economics

offered. It is a discipline which allows

you to work in a variety of different

fi elds; from fi nance and banking, pub-

lic policy, sales and marketing, and civil

service, and it also allows you to go on

to do further studies. Most importantly

however, economics has enhanced my

conceptual and analytical thinking skills,

which provide a competitive edge when

entering the workforce.

As a penultimate year student, I was

granted the opportunity to participate

in the 2012/13 Vacationer Program at

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in a

specialised Tax & Legal team. Over the

summer I was involved with working in

the International Assignment Solutions

team, which allowed me to deal with

various numbers of expatriate clients

and organisations seeking to send their

employees overseas. Interestingly, the

fi rst piece of advice I was given by my

colleagues stressed the importance of

remaining up to date and aware of cur-

rent economic situations and fi nancial

markets. The reasons for this were sim-

ple; in order to truly provide value to our

clients, understanding markets and the

present opportunities allow us an edge

in our advice.

Most importantly however, economics has enhanced my conceptual and analytical thinking skills, which provide a competitive edge when entering the workforce.

I found myself constantly engaging with

my foundational understanding of eco-

nomics. My knowledge on interest rates,

exchange rates, economic indicators

and equity markets helped me in both

my personal and professional develop-

ment. The degree also taught me the

importance of identifying and analys-

ing secondary effects and unintended

consequences. These forms of thought

process are valuable transferrable skills,

which have allowed me to engage with

clients and colleagues, especially when

analysing their domestic and interna-

tional expatriate implications. By no

means do I daily test Economic theories

or directly apply my Econometric knowl-

edge but I see the Economics I have

been taught in an applied sense – in the

functioning of a business.

For prospective students who are in

the process of deciding on a business

major, the best piece of advice I can

provide is simple; choose a major you

will enjoy (or choose Economics!). Many

of you may overlook Economics for the

sole reason that it does not provide the

wealth of opportunities in the workforce

which more popular choices such as

accounting and fi nance do. As a current

employee at PwC looking to continue as

a Graduate in 2014, I can assure you this

is not the case. Your opportunities are

endless, and ultimately it will provide

you the chance to truly enhance your

skills and experiences for use in the

workforce.

HAMISH MISHRA 5TH YEAR, BACHELOR OF BUSINESS (ECONOMICS) / BACHELOR OF LAWS

VACATIONER PWC (2012-13) | CONSULTANT PWC (2013)

CHOOSING ECONOMICS: HOW IT HAS ENHANCED MY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

When considering where you want your business career to take you, it is vital to consider the wealth of opportunities available

as you study. Whilst undertaking a business degree at UTS you will have the opportunity to choose a discipline to major in - this

decision will inevitably allow you to broaden your current pathways and options.

Finsia’s highly customised mentoring program pairs mentees with hand-picked senior industry executives.

Gain access and insight to this executive expertise in tandem with structured workshops and networking sessions. For final year, post-grad students or graduates only. Go to www.finsia.com/mentoring to find out more and to register for the next program. Or phone 02 4476 8107 to speak to someone.

WE POWER THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE THE FUTURE

An inspired program

A TOP FINANCE EXECUTIVE AS YOUR MENTOR

“Through Finsia’s mentoring program, I have learnt valuable insights and gained experiences assisting me across many aspects of my career and personal life. I would recommend the mentoring program with my highest endorsement to colleagues and fellow graduates as an essential networking tool in progressing forward."

Daniel Lennox, first year graduate, B Comm Gain access

We understand that you’re about to start a journey, and might

not be sure where you see yourself in 3, 5 or 10 years. That’s

why we help you get clarity by giving you a range of experi-

ences to get you started – from working with different teams

to presenting projects to senior management.

WHY ANZ?As a graduate at ANZ, you’ll get the chance to make a differ-

ence in ways you never thought possible.

We’re an organisation that’s focused on our people. Our envi-

ronment is built on fostering the skills, talents and interests of

all our staff and ensuring that great work is rewarded. We hire

graduates who we believe will have lasting careers with ANZ.

THE ANZ VISIONWe’re in an exciting period of growth as we work towards

becoming a super regional bank. We’re broadening our global

presence by leveraging off our strong foundations in Australia,

New Zealand and across Asia. This means that we are able to

offer our employees access to a greater knowledge base and

more opportunities than ever before. You’ll be able to have real

involvement guiding ANZ through this growth period.

WHAT WE OFFER• Training and development

• Challenging roles

• Attractive remuneration and rewards

• Extensive support

• Outstanding career opportunities.

OUR GRADUATE PROGRAMThe ANZ Graduate Program is professionally designed to give

you the best possible start to your career.

• 18 or 24 month program (length depends on program

stream)

• Rotations that expand and enhance your experience

• Comprehensive training and business-specifi c inductions

• Hands-on project work

• Opportunities to meet with senior leaders

• Coaching and peer support through the program

SEEKINGGraduates who are driven to perform with excellence. We look

for people who actively come up with solutions, work collabo-

ratively and are able to deliver great results for our customers.

DEGREES/DISCIPLINESUse our online ‘Explore the program streams’ tool to view

your career options at ANZ. Regardless of your academic

background, the tool will help you work out what part of our

business best suits your skills and interests.

CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTSAustralian citizens and permanent residents (including New

Zealand citizens).

HOW TO APPLYOnline at: www.anz.com/graduates

APPLICATION DEADLINESGraduate program: 28 March 2013

Summer Intern program: applications open from mid July

2013. Check website for further infomation.

CONNECT WITH USFacebook.com/ANZ.Australia.Graduates

FURTHER INFORMATIONwww.anz.com/graduates

ANZ GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES


PROFILEECCONOMICS

53

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE STATE OF NSW?JOIN TREASURY

When you work at Treasury, everything you do has an impact

on the lives of the people of NSW. We make a difference.

The Treasury is the NSW Government’s main fi nancial and eco-

nomic adviser. We work to ensure the public sector retains

a strong balance sheet leading to the sustainable delivery of

services. We apply rigour and innovation in our advice and are

infl uential in its delivery. The Treasury works with more than

200 public agencies and businesses across the State such as

health, education, environment, transport, police, housing and

the arts.

OUR WORK INCLUDES:• Preparing the NSW State Budget

• Analysing the fi nancial position of Government agencies

and businesses

• Developing and implementing the Government’s eco-

nomic and fi scal policies

• Advising the Government on the effective use of the

State’s resources

• Leading microeconomic reform to support a strong, com-

petitive economy

• Driving public sector fi nancial accountability

• Assessing fi nancial and economic risk.

GRADUATE PROGRAM AT TREASURYOver the 12-month program, graduates will receive three

placements within different branches of Treasury. You will be

involved in choosing your placement.

We value our Graduates and effort is rewarded. We offer sala-

ries that are competitive with the private sector, generous

superannuation, assistance for further study and fl ex-time. We

also encourage our staff to become involved in Treasury activi-

ties like the social club and sporting groups.

ELIGIBILITY AND HOW TO APPLY?We are seeking people from a broad range of disciplines

including Accounting, Business, Commerce, Economics and

Finance. Combined Qualifi cations incorporating Public Policy,

Politics or Law will also be considered.

To be eligible for our graduate program you should have com-

pleted your studies within the last three years: 2011, 2012,

2013. You should be an Australian Citizen or a Permanent Resi-

dent.

Our applications open on Monday, 5 August 2013. To apply

please go to www.jobs.nsw.gov.au when the applications

open.

If you have any questions about our graduate program, visit

us at www.treasury.nsw.gov.au or email People & Develop-

ment on people&[email protected].

NSW TREASURY

Statistics

tell the

story

Be the author of tomorrows talesThe ABS is at the centre of informed decision making

for all Australians. To become part of an internationally

recognised organisation that is the foundation of research,

planning and discussion within governments and the

community, apply to the ABS Graduate Development or

Cadetship Program. The ABS offers you diverse, challenging

wand rewarding careers in many fields.

Contribute. Be part of a team which makes a difference

Develop. Find unique opportunities to grow

Community. Enjoy a diverse working community

Career. Start writing your own story with the ABS

Applications are available online at www.abs.gov.au/careers

Give us a call on our Graduate Hotline: 1800 675 125


FIRM PROFILEECCONOMICS

55

Applications open from 7 March 2013 until 26 April 2013

COMPANY INFORMATION The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is Australia’s offi cial

statistical agency. The ABS has an important coordination

function with respect to the statistical activities of other offi -

cial bodies, both in Australia and overseas. The ABS produces

and disseminates statistics in a number of key areas includ-

ing; social statistics, economic statistics, population statistics,

labour statistics and environment statistics.

The ABS’ statistical programs are supported by service areas

which deliver assistance and advice on statistical methods,

data and metadata management, information technology, cli-

ent management, dissemination, human resources and other

corporate services. In addition to producing statistical publica-

tions, the ABS also undertakes a range of statistical leadership

activities focused on increasing the understanding of statis-

tics used by government, organisations, schools and the wider

community.

RELEVANT DEGREESThe ABS Graduate Development Program offers opportunities

to graduates across a variety of different disciplines including:

Accounting, Arts & Design, Business & Commerce, Communi-

cations & Media, Finance & Economics, HR, Humanities, IT &

Computing, Marketing, Mathematics, Science, Social Science.

OPPORTUNITIES With eight offi ces around Australia, there are opportunities for

graduates in the following streams: Statistical; Methodology

& Data Management; Service and Information & Communica-

tion Technology.

The ABS Graduate Development Program (GDP) provides you

with practical on-the-job training through team based work or

projects. Our nine month program will involve structured for-

mal training and development activities that are designed to:

• assist you to transition into the ABS

and the Australian Public Service

• provide you with training specifi c to your subject matter area

• provide work rotations and formal projects

(subject to areas placed)

• give opportunities to access buddies

• offer networking opportunities

ABS generalist graduates commence at the APS 3 level and

will be eligible to advance to the APS 4 level upon successful

completion of the Graduate Development program. Informa-

tion and Communications Technology (ICT) graduates com-

mence at the APS 4 level and will be eligible to advance to

the top of the classifi cation upon successful completion of the

Graduate Development Program.

In addition to these career and development opportunities the

ABS offers attractive employment conditions including annual

leave, personal leave and paid Christmas shutdown (for more

information about our employment conditions, refer to our

website).

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?To be eligible for our program:

• You must an Australian Citizen, before the program com-

mences in January each year.

• You have completed at least an undergraduate qualifi ca-

tion before the program commences.

• Your most recent qualifi cation (at the Bachelor degree

level, or higher) must have been completed in 2011 or

later.

Also to be successful you will need to possess strong com-

munication skills, the ability to think laterally, display resilience

and adapt change, enjoy challenging analytical work and be

able to work in a diverse environment.

HOW TO APPLY To apply for our graduate program, you must submit an appli-

cation online via our eRecruitment system. Applications will

be open from 7 March 2013 through to 26 April 2013.

2014 ABS GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

LEARN MOREFor more information about the application process,

refer to our website www.abs.gov.au/careers

Also fi nd us on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/absstats


FIRM PROFILE ECONOMICS

56

Many organisations give you a start in the fi nance industry.

But few give you a fast track experience across the entire

fi nance industry from day one. Even fewer actually shape the

industry’s future. In Australia, there’s only one. The Australian

Prudential Regulation Authority is Australia’s fi nancial services

regulator, regulating around $4.2 trillion in assets for almost

23 million Australians.

We are looking for graduates with high academic standards

and integrity to help us carry out this very important work. In

return, APRA offers graduates:

• Unmatched exposure to the Australian fi nancial services

industry

• Ongoing training and development – arguably the most

rigorous in the fi nance industry

• Work life balance

• Work diversity

• Accountability

• An enviable career with an organisation at the forefront

internationally of fi nancial regulators

• The opportunity to make a difference!

Successful applicants will commence with APRA in February

2014.

SEEKINGWe are looking for graduates with a minimum credit average

from:

• accounting

• actuarial

• banking

• econometrics

• fi nance

• fi nancial modelling

• law

• mathematics

• public policy

• statistics

We will also consider high achieving graduates with strong

research and analytical skills from all disciplines.

HOW TO APPLYApplications for APRA’s Graduate Program can only be made

through the graduate section of the ‘Careers’ page of the

APRA www.aviewfromthetop.com.au.

The recruitment process involves completing a detailed appli-

cation form and submitting academic results. Applicants will

then be invited to undertake online assessments. Shortlisted

applicants will move through two further stages being a com-

bination of an assessment centre held in Sydney and a struc-

tured interview.

AUSTRALIAN PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY (APRA)

APPLICATION DATESApplications open: March 2013

Applications close: April 2013

FURTHER INFORMATIONMore information about the Graduate Program and scholar-

ship opportunities available please visit our website or contact

APRA’s recruitment team on (02) 9210 3000 or by emailing

[email protected].


FIRM PROFILEECCONOMICS

57

2013 BRIAN GRAY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the

Reserve Bank of Australia have established the Brian Gray

Scholarship program in memory of Brian Gray, who died on 24

August 2001 while serving as Executive General Manager of

APRA’s Policy, Research and Consulting Division.

The Brian Gray Scholarship program will fund up to four schol-

arships annually, to the value of $12,500 each.

The scholarship purpose is to support students who intend to

focus full time on their studies and research.

As part of the scholarship, students will devote a substan-

tial amount of time to an agreed research topic benefi ting,

where possible, from access to APRA expertise and data.

The research paper may be that which you are preparing for

your Honours or Post-graduate Thesis or project. Scholarship

holders are also given the option of working with APRA for

a period during their fi nal year of study to gain valuable work

experience.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS Applications are to be submitted via the on-line application

process. This will require you to complete an application form

including academic details, work experience, extra-curricular

activities, an outline of your proposed research and its rele-

vance to APRA, and two written references. The written refer-

ences will need to be attached to the application form and so

you may need to scan hard copies for this process.

WHO CAN APPLY? The Brian Gray Scholarship is open to any Australian/New

Zealand citizen or permanent resident, studying a topic of rel-

evance to APRA. The focus will be on honours year students,

although postgraduate students can apply.

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Should you be interested in applying for our 2013 program,

applications close 26 April 2013.

BRIAN GRAY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

04

FINANCE


MAJOR STRUCTUREFINANCE

59

FINANCE Finance investigates topics such as investment strategies and analysis, and deals with the way funds are gathered and dis-

tributed to best benefi t corporations and individuals. It has evolved as a major fi eld of business, practised by analysts and

executives in the management of company funds, and in fi nancial markets, fi nancial institutions, information technology and

consultancy fi rms that provide fi nancial advice and services to businesses and individuals. At UTS Business School, you will

be provided with strong intellectual training in the foundation techniques of the fi nance discipline, enabling you to understand

fi nance, to think critically and creatively about fi nancial problems and to adapt to the rapidly changing fi nancial environment.

THE MAJOR STRUCTURE

A Finance major at UTS comprises of 48 credit points (8 sub-

jects), which build on the core subjects studied in fi rst year

Business. As part of the Finance major, students must com-

plete all of the following subjects:

• 25556 The Financial System 6cp

• 25622 Quantitative Business Analysis 6cp

• 25503 Investment Analysis 6cp

• 25410 Corporate Financial Analysis (Capstone) 6cp

• 25557 Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice 6cp

Select 18 credit points from the following options:

• 25421 International Financial Management 6cp

• 25558 Issues in Corporate Finance 6cp

• 25602 Ethics in Finance 6cp

• 25005 Economics and Finance of the Life Cycle 6cp

• 25620 Derivative Securities 6cp

• 25574 Commercial Bank Management 6cp

• 25576 Wealth Management 6cp

• 25577 Behavioural Finance 6cp

• 25579 Applied Portfolio Management 6cp

• 25573 Time Series Econometrics 6cp

• 25575 Investment Banking 6cp

• 23566 Economics for Business 2 6cp


CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduating with a Finance major gives you Certifi ed Financial

Analyst Program Partner status. Graduates of this major may

seek membership of the Financial Services Institute of Aus-

tralasia.

GRADUATE POSITIONS

• Financial Advisor

• Investment Analyst

• Corporate Financial Consultant

• Banker

• Financial Planner

• Fund Administrator

• Banking Consultant

• Pricing Analyst

GRADUATE PROGRESSION

• Treasury Manager

• Risk Manager

• Hedge Fund Manager

• Superannuation Fund Manager

• Stockbroker

• Equity Research Analysis


PROFILE FINANCE

60

I am currently working as a commercial

analyst in Optus Group Management

Accounting team and have previously

fi nished my undergraduate studies from

the University of Sydney with a major

in Finance and Marketing. I then did

post-graduate studies and majored in

Accounting. In the same year, I applied

for the Optus Graduate Program. Optus

said “Yes” to me, and I said “Yes Optus”.

Through different rotations across the

Accounting/Finance space provided

by the Graduate Program, I obtained a

good understanding of how the Finance

functions operate in different parts

of the business, and how they work

together with other functions within

the business such as Marketing, Sales,

and Networks. The rotations I worked

in were Management Accounting,

Commercial Evaluation, Tax, Customer

Insights, and Activity-Based Costing.

Three tips from my experience as a grad-

uate over the two year program:

1. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT STYLES

OF LEARNING IN CORPORATE LIFE.

In corporate life, similar to the unit out-

line at university, you will have your job

description. However, it won’t mention

anything on what text books or readings

will help you to do your job or when will

be the fi nal exam. So how do we learn?

Where are the resources? I used the

“70/20/10 percentage” rule:

i. 70% of learning from your day-to-

day work is on the job.

You learn from your colleagues and

your manager. All the resources are

available to you, but you are the one who

ensures you learn from the right person

in time, and your daily work will serve

as the test or exam to see if you have

mastered those skills.

ii. The next 20% of learning is

from informal training. One of the

best resources made available to me

throughout my graduate program (and

even today) is my mentor. A mentor is a

senior manager in the organisation, who

holds a wealth of industry knowledge

and has an extended network in the

company. During my graduate program,

I sent her fortnightly emails to keep her

updated on my learning, challenges and

pain points. When we caught up once a

month, she would give me feedback and

would share her career experiences as

well as provide contacts in the business

that can help me resolve issues. As men-

tors are such busy people, you need to

ensure the meetings happen and make

the most out of each session as they will

be very valuable.

iii. The last 10% comes from formal

training. They serve as a continuous

development exercise, to keep your

industry knowledge and technical skills

up to date. They bring in new ideas to

your workplace so you need to ensure

you apply the new knowledge ASAP

before you forget!

2. GET AS MUCH EXPOSURE AS YOU

CAN FROM EACH ROTATION, BUT BE

PATIENT.

As a fresh graduate, I found I started

with most basic tasks within the team.

Once I did the basics and understood

the fundamentals, my rotation manager

was able to delegate more complicated

tasks. I found it was important to treat

every single task given to you seriously,

perform consistently, above people’s

expectation, and show that you have the

extra capacity to do more. This would

give your rotation manager the confi -

dence to delegate more duties to you

and give you more exposure. Remind

yourself why you want to join the gradu-

ate program in the fi rst place. Is to gain

as much exposure as you can, in differ-

ent parts of the business, within a short

two-year period.

3. LEARN FROM YOUR FELLOW

GRADUATES TO UNDERSTAND THE

BUSINESS BETTER.

As the best of the best, why not form a

support group and learn from each other.

It can’t be stressed more on how impor-

tant teamwork is in today’s corporate

life. So gain marketing insights from the

Marketing graduate, learn a few network

technical jargons from the networks

graduates, and share your learning expe-

rience in Finance functions, understand

how the other part of the business oper-

ates.

I hope you fi nd my tips are useful and I

wish you all the best. Hopefully one day

a few of you will also say “Yes Optus”!

DA GONG ZHAO, CPACOMMERCIAL ANALYST | OPTUS GROUP

GRADUATE TIPS TO SUCCESS

OPTUS GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM:

http://www.optus.com.au/aboutoptus/About+Optus/Careers/Optus+Graduate+Development+Program

POWER YOUR CAREER with Finsia’s FSA program

Get ready to go further.Right now, financial services employers across Australia are looking for people with an edge – with new insights, an appetite for challenge and who want to make a difference from the start.

Take your career further with Finsia’s Financial Services Associate (FSA) program. The FSA combines online postgraduate study, real world insights into how financial services works today, and membership of Australia’s premier financial services association – all in one simple, great value package

Finsia’s FSA program will take you further. Enrol now.

Visit www.finsia.com/fsa to find out more or phone 1300 346 742.

THE CFA CHARTER: A GOLD STANDARD IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY

John Rogers, CFA

HOW TO EARN THE CHARTER

* Basic requirements for CFA Program candidacy:Have a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree, or be in the final year of your bachelor’s degree program at the time of registration, or have four years of qualified, professional work experience or a combination of work and college experience that totals at least four years Meet the professional conduct admission criteriaBe prepared to take the exams in EnglishHave a valid international travel passport

Level III Exam

(June)

EnrollmentBecome a CFA Program

candidate*

Level I Exam

(June or

December)

Level II Exam

(June)

EARN CFA CHARTER

Acquire 4 years of relevant work experience (before, during, or after exam)

Pledge to adhere to the Professional Conduct Statement

Join CFA Institute and apply for society membership

Pay membership dues

Be a CFA Institute member in good standing

To obtain the CFA charter, you must successfully pass all

three levels of the CFA Program and become a member of

CFA Institute. The CFA Program is offered in a self-study

format. You can complete the program wherever you are

and at your own pace.

The curriculum covers 10 general topics:

Ethical and Professional Standards

Quantitative Methods

Economics

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Corporate Finance

Equity Investments

Fixed Income

Derivatives

Alternative Investments

Portfolio Management and

Wealth Planning

KEY DATESREGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE DECEMBER 2013 LEVEL I EXAM

18 September 2013 Payment deadline7 December 2013 Exam day

To register or learn more, please visit: www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprogram

www.cfainstitute.org

MEET A CFA CHARTERHOLDEROLIVIA ENGEL, CFAHead of Active Australian EquitiesState Street Global AdvisorsAustralia

CFA PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS

AWARENESS SCHOLARSHIPS

Awareness Scholarships are designated for key

influencers in the academic and financial communities

such as college/university faculty, college students

affiliated with our Recognized Universities and CFA

Program Partner Schools*, and select regulatory

agencies around the world.

Award Reduce the CFA Program enrollment and

exam registration fee (includes access to

the curriculum eBook) to US$350.

Award

Cycle

Awareness scholarships are awarded as

they are received and processed in the

current year.

Awards can be applied to any CFA program

level (I, II or III) and either exam cycle (June

or December).

Important

Dates

Applications for 2013 exams:

December exam: Available now

Must be submitted by 3 September 2013

ACCESS SCHOLARSHIPS

Access Scholarships provide needs-based scholarship

opportunities for those unable to afford the full price of

the CFA Program enrollment and registration fees.

Award Waive the CFA Program enrollment fee

and reduce the exam registration fee

(includes access to the curriculum eBook)

to US$250.

Award

Cycle

Access scholarships are awarded in

December to be applied to exams in the

following year.

Awards can be applied to any CFA program

level (I, II or III) and either exam cycle (June

or December).

Important

Dates

Scholarship application period:

1 March – 15 September 2013

(for 2014 awards)

To learn more, please visit our website:

www.cfainstitute.org/scholarships

or email [email protected]

*In Australia, our program partner schools are: University

of Technology, Sydney; Australia National University, La

Trobe University, Macquarie University, Monash Univer-

sity, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, and

University of Sydney.

www.cfainstitute.org

Read more about how the CFA Program can benefit your career and

the success stories of our charterholders from a variety of fields

in finance and investment across Asia Pacific in the CFA Institute

Asia-Pacific Career Guide, coming this winter. If you would like to get

an electronic copy of this publication, please send an email with the

subject “AP Career Guide” to [email protected]


PROFILEFINANCE

65

TURN ON, TUNE IN, AND TAKE PART.COULD THIS BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE?

Every year, the Commonwealth Bank takes grads from

universities all over Australia. For us, this means new

ideas, fresh thinking and huge potential.

Most importantly, for YOU, our Graduate Program means the

chance to do something really fantastic with your career. To

shine like never before!

INTRODUCING THE GRADUATE SHOW There’s no better way to understand our Graduate Program

than to hear from the people who have been through it. That’s

why we’ve created the Graduate Show. You can hear from

some of our talented grads, fi nd out what they loved about

the program, how they found the overall experience, and what

they’re up to now.

WHAT MAKES THE COMMONWEALTH BANK DIFFERENT?As you’ll see in the Graduate Show, there are all kinds of rea-

sons why our grads love being part of our team. Some include:

• Having the chance to work in different teams and depart-

ments, and identify which career path best suits them

• Being able to contribute all sorts of skills – not necessar-

ily related to banking

• Being part of a business that’s going places, with 45,000

employees all over the world

• The extensive training, mentoring and development that’s

given to all staff to help them grow

• The chance to work with some inspirational people and

thought-leaders.

On top of all this, our program is award-winning. For the last

four years, the Australian Association of Graduate Employers

has named us as the Top Graduate Employer in the Commer-

cial and Retail Banking sector in their Candidate Survey. We

think that speaks for itself.

SEEKINGWe look for bright, talented grads from a huge range of disci-

plines. We seek people who are determined to grow, aren’t afraid

of hard work and who are keen to look after our customers.

DEGREES/DISCIPLINES Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Studies, Agriculture, Building/

Construction, Business/Commerce, Communications/

Media, Economics, HR/OH&S, Information Systems, IT/ICT,

International Business/Relations, Law/Paralegal, Mathematics/

Statistics, Project Management, Psychology, Sciences, Sales/

Marketing, Engineering.

When you apply, you’ll be asked to select up to two business

unit preferences. We offer a diverse range of career options

which allow you to expand upon the skills and knowledge you

have acquired during study, so it’s important to take some

time and think about which of our business units suits you

best.

HOW TO APPLY Go to www.commbank.com.au/graduate to tune into our

Graduate Show for a unique insight into the program and to

hear from some past graduates.

PROGRAMS & DEADLINES Graduate – Applications open in February 2013 and close

Tuesday, 2nd April 2013 at 5pm.

Internship: Applications open in July 2013 and August 2013.

CITIZENSHIP/RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS Australian citizens and permanent residents only (including

New Zealand citizens)

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS For our 2014 Graduate program, you must:

• Be completing your degree in 2013, or have completed it

in 2012.

• Have achieved at least a credit result in your degree.

POSITION LOCATIONS Australia -wide

FURTHER INFORMATION www.commbank.com.au/graduate

[email protected]

1800 448 880

CBA GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

For further information or to apply, visit macquarie.com.au/graduates

Successfully differentMacquarie Group2014 Australian Graduate program 2013/2014 Australian Summer Internship program

Find us on Facebook Macquarie Group Careers (Australia and New Zealand)

Follow us on LinkedIn Macquarie Group

OPPORTUNITIES WITH MACQUARIE

THE MACQUARIE GRADUATE EXPERIENCE

05

MANAGEMENT


PROFILE MANAGEMENT

70

THE MAJOR STRUCTURE

As part of the major, students must

complete the following subjects:

• 21510 The Global Context of Management 6cp

• 21512 Understanding Organisations:

Theory and Practice 6cp

• 21511 Global Operations and

Supply Chain Management 6cp

• 21440 Management Skills 6cp

• 21513 Business Ethics and Sustainability 6cp

• 21504 Management Capstone 6cp

The major enables you to select two (2)

electives from the following options:

• 21591 Transnational Management 6cp

• 21227 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 6cp

• 21228 Management Consulting 6cp

• 21595 International Management Field Study 6cp

• 21555 Human Resource Management 6cp

• 21602 Strategy: Theory and Practice 6cp


CAREER PROSPECTS

A degree in management allows for a variety of career oppor-

tunities including professional roles in general management,

entrepreneurship, logistics management or other manage-

ment related roles.

• General management

• Business Analysis

• Client Services Offi cer

• Corporate Planning Offi cer

• Management Consultancy

• Strategic Planning

• Operations Co-ordinator

• Supply Chain Management.

MANAGEMENTThe management major consists of a refl ective and critical analysis of how to most effectively and effi ciently use available

resources in order to achieve organizational objectives and aspirations. The subjects not only ask you to critically refl ect on

foundational theories of management but challenge you to be proactive in questioning its applicability in responding to modern

contexts, demands and concerns through a contemporary and international lens.

The Management stream has been designed with a multi-disciplinary focus, to help develop a plethora of essential graduate

attributes and competencies essential for a career in a management role. The major empowers individuals by giving them the

ability to solve constantly changing problems in dynamic environments, an imperative attribute for a management position in

contemporary industries.


PROFILEMANAGEMENT

71

When a friend told me about the big-

name businesses they were working

with and the global Meltwater events

they had been attending, in locations

such as Lillehammer and Monte Carlo, I

had just one single thought: I wanted in.

MY BACKGROUNDIn 2007, I’d just completed a Bachelor of

Law and landed a job in a legal fi rm that

was a stuffy, top down organisation with

no room for employee input or any sort

of creativity – a very different culture

to the type that I had hoped to work in.

My friend at Meltwater was telling me

about all the exciting work challenges

with top clients she was experiencing;

and team building exercises such as

bob-sledding in Lillehammer, Norway,

and the annual motivational get-together

held in Monte Carlo; and just like that I

knew I would never have those kind of

opportunities where I was working. It

became for me, quite simply, the bench-

mark of where I wanted to be.

MY CAREERI made the switch from the legal sec-

tor to Meltwater, Sydney in 2008 and it

was absolutely the right move; though

I had only a vague idea of the type of

services Meltwater offered and I knew

it was a sales based position to begin

with. After I started it was clear my per-

ception of sales and the services Melt-

water offered its clients were a little off

the mark! Meltwater offers an extensive

suite of tools that allow businesses —

everything from charities right through

to the largest corporations, keep on top

of all of their traditional and social media

efforts.

As a company, Meltwater simply believes in giving young determined people opportunities to advance.

I was promoted from Sales Consultant

to Sales Manager early in 2009, and

then again in April 2010 to become the

Managing Director of the New York

offi ce. It was a dream come true, but

was challenging on both a personal and

a professional level. I was looking after

new people, which thoroughly tested

my management skills; and I had an

entirely new market to learn and devise

strategies for, and different competi-

tors to analyse – all while I was getting

used to living in new surroundings, over

10,000 miles away from home.

THE CHALLENGESIt’s always challenging but I think being

challenged is intrinsic to your growth

within any company. Sometimes you

are faced with a challenging client that

requires you to be solutions-orientated.

And sometimes the challenges are

much more personal. But it’s made

easier by having genuine support from

your peers and management - I believe

that kind of guidance and care is a core

strength of the Meltwater culture.

As a company, Meltwater simply

believes in giving young determined

people opportunities to advance. Real

opportunities. I have friends who excit-

edly accepted roles into graduate pro-

grams and, to be honest, they are still

yet to progress or take on responsibil-

ity. Place their career paths side-by-side

with mine and now it is they who are

having the envious feelings.

JOHNNY VANCE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MELTWATER,

WASHINGTON DC

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

APPLY ONLINE AThttp://www.meltwater.com/careers/jobs

FOLLOW US ONLinkedIn | Facebook @Meltwatergroup | Twitter @Meltwater


PROFILE MANAGEMENT

72

THE MAJOR STRUCTURE

As part of the major, students must

complete the follow subjects:

• 21555 Human Resource Management 6cp

• 21036 Managing Strategic Performance 6cp

• 21407 Strategic Human Resource Management 6cp

• 21037 Managing Employee Relations 6cp

• 21440 Management Skills 6cp

• 21510 The Global Context of Management 6cp

• 21512 Understanding Organisations:

Theory and Practice 6cp

• 21505 Human Resource Management (Capstone) 6cp

CAREER PROSPECTS

A degree in human resource management provides for a

plethora of career opportunities concerning the management

of human capital, including working as either a HR practitioner

or as part of a broader general management role.

• Employment Relations Consultant

• Human Capital Co-ordinator

• Human Resources Offi cer

• Learning and Development Offi cer

• Recruitment Offi cer

• Remuneration Offi cer

• Staff Development Offi cer

• Training Coordinator

• People and Culture Specialist

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Human resource management is an integral component of fi rms large and small, focusing on the effective organisation and

integration of its workforce. Human resources’ primary efforts are dual layered and concern the recruitment and retainment of

employees, as well supervising and regulating organizational culture.

The major develops competencies by engaging students with the responsibilities of attracting and selecting desirable applicants,

effectively training, developing and incorporating employees, and fi nally, ensuring effective performance assessment and reward

structures are in place.

The Human Resource Management major also provides understanding and profi ciency of both local and international founda-

tional frameworks, and effectively integrates organisational theory with the competencies of management.


PROFILEMANAGEMENT

73

Much like other people, I found

choosing business majors

daunting and confusing.

However I managed to choose mine by

the middle of second year via a two-step

procedure.

Firstly via elimination process, as I

found that although the content in sub-

jects like fi nance and accounting was

interesting, it would not have appealed

to me in the long term. Do not choose

majors you won’t enjoy, as you will be

stuck with them for two years (or more).

Secondly, I paid close attention to all my

fi rst year subjects as indications of the

majors ahead, making sure to attend

lectures and listen to what each lec-

turer had to say about their respective

discipline. 21129 (Managing People and

Organisations) was by far my favour-

ite business core subject - the lecturer

was engaging and managed to relate

even the most theory-based chapters

to situations in every day managerial

work. The toss up between the Man-

agement major and Human Resource

Management major was decided

purely because HRM is a more specifi c

branch of management and pertained

the aspects of management that I had

enjoyed previously.

Thus far I am really enjoying my major.

We are given readings each week

(though nothing too long thankfully!)

that inspire and challenge our way of

thinking regarding management and the

human condition. Lecturers and tutors

have taught me how to engage with the

material critically, and to not just accept

the status quo.

A lot of people regard the business

degree as simply a choice between

accounting and fi nance. But it’s great to

keep in mind how truly broad the busi-

ness degree is and not to limit yourself,

especially if they aren’t subjects that

you are enjoying currently.

A fi nal tip is that most subjects only get

more and more content heavy and test-

ing on your analytical ability, but if you

love what you’re studying it makes it

that much easier. I truly love how engag-

ing and practical the content is, and

can’t wait to work in human resources.

SAMANTHA LOW THIRD YEAR BACHELOR OF LAWS / BACHELOR OF BUSINESS

MAJOR IN HUMAN RESOURCES

STUDYING HR


PROFILE MANAGEMENT

74

HR MANAGER - LIFE IN THE INDUSTRYBY ROJDA DAG

“Good management is the art of making problems so interesting, and their solutions so constructive, that everyone wants to get to work and deal with them” - Paul Hawken

Management involves the effi cient and effective coordination

of a company’s resources to achieve set objectives. Human

resources (HR) is the management of a company’s employees,

namely their training, assessment, up-skilling, hiring, fi ring

and rewarding. Rowan Sayan, who works in the public service

sector, provided her thoughts on the industry, but wishes for

her fi rm not to be identifi ed.

“HR is a great industry to be a part of,” begins Rowan, who

works as a Student Relations Manager, “I have the responsi-

bility of managing participants on entry level programs such as

Trainees, Apprentices, Cadets, Scholars, Paraprofessionals and

primarily Graduates from disciplines ranging from Engineering

to Policy. I look after the day to day management of the par-

ticipants as well as identifying needs for career progression,

work placements, technical and non-technical training and per-

formance management.”

Rowan landed her dream role soon after leaving high school.

Once she had completed her HSC, she was not entirely cer-

tain of what path she wanted to pursue – something that

many of us experience, be it after high school or upon ter-

tiary graduation. Having completed a certifi cate IV in Human

Resources Management and applying for a traineeship, she

decided HR was where she wanted to be. Why? “You defi -

nitely need to be a “people person” as you’re dealing one-on-

one with so many people from a range of backgrounds and

different personalities so you need to know how to effectively

manage each individual,” she says, and Rowan, from her

warm disposition and sunny smile, is most defi nitely a people

person. She adds that she really enjoys watching people enter

the corporate world straight out of school or university, much

like herself, and grown into the professionals they aspire to

be, whether that includes working as an Engineer or as an

Accountant.

Asking for her recommendations, she reveals that having a

desire to be innovative is incredibly useful, as she believes

there is always room for growth in every organisation. She

also states that students must take every opportunity and

experience presented to them – “not just in the HR world,

but in any corporate environment.” She urges students not

to discount their non-managerial part-time jobs. Getting an

internship or relevant work experience would be great; how-

ever there are many HR applicable skills that can be learned

through the retail and hospitality industries. “Any job that lets

you develop your communication skills and empathy is essen-

tial... understanding of individual needs and having an open

mind is crucial because in HR it is so easy to fall into a ‘one

way of thinking’ trap.” Thus, the ability to connect with oth-

ers is key, and this talent can be developed through your non-

managerial employment. She adds in one last quick comment,

advocating that “every experience counts towards building

you in to a greater professional and HR expert.”

Despite all the glory, there are some trying elements of the

HR industry. “The thing I’d say that I dislike would be see-

ing people throw away the opportunity in front of them and

the potential they have by doing silly things in the workplace

which result in performance management (and not always

happy endings).”


PROFILEMANAGEMENT

75

Each year, Australian Red Cross sends more than 100 aid

workers and 140 volunteers with specialist skills to help com-

munities prepare for, respond to and recover from the impacts

of disasters. They provide urgent humanitarian assistance to

people affected by war and other armed confl icts, working

with communities to help them achieve safer, healthier and

more sustainable lives.

Becoming an international volunteer or aid worker gives peo-

ple the opportunity to share their skills and ideas where they

are needed, experience another culture and lifestyle and to

gain experience in international development. Volunteers

work within local humanitarian or development organisations,

including Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to enhance

the capacity and skills that already exist within host organisa-

tions.

Rob Neilson is a certifi ed public accountant who was inspired

to move into international aid work after working briefl y in

Papua New Guinea. He had worked in various roles within

accounting and insurance fi rms before deciding he needed

a change. Currently on assignment in Tonga as a fi nance aid

worker, Rob has had the opportunity to live and work in many

parts of Asia and the Pacifi c.

“Development work is very different to working in Australia.

It can be really challenging and I’ve had to adjust my expec-

tations to consider local capacity. But I’ve really enjoyed the

challenges and have learnt so much through my experiences.”

“I’ve been amazed at the resilience of the people in places that

I have worked and the welcoming that they have provided.

My experience in Cambodia and Myanmar in particular has

changed the way in which I think about things. The living con-

ditions and the poverty are quite overwhelming but the atti-

tude and the resourcefulness of the people is astonishing.”

“I have made many friends in various countries and we still

keep in touch. I enjoy seeing how they have progressed in

their careers and hope that I have contributed to that is some

way.”

Currently there are opportunities for people with business and

fi nance qualifi cations to volunteer for Red Cross in Uganda,

Kenya and Cambodia. Selected candidates participate in an

intensive training program to prepare them for humanitarian

work in disasters and armed confl icts, as well as working with

a broad range of cultures.

If you would like further information on volunteer opportuni-

ties contact Red Cross on (03) 9345 1834 or visit www.red-

cross.org.au/volunteeroverseas. You can also search for an

assignment on the website www.ausaid.gov.au/volunteer.

Red Cross aid workers and volunteers deliver their vital

humanitarian assistance with the fi nancial support of the Aus-

tralian Government through AusAID and donations from the

Australian community.

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

06

MARKETING


PROFILEMARKETING

77

THE MAJOR STRUCTURE

The Marketing major comprises of 48 credit points (8 sub-

jects). As part of the Marketing major, students must com-

plete the following required 5 subjects, and chose 3 subjects

from the options list.

Required 24 credit points (5 subjects)

• 24202 Consumer Behaviour 6cp

• 24309 Marketing Research 6cp

• 24210 Integrated Marketing Communications 6cp

• 24415 Marketing Planning and Strategy 6cp

• 24100 Applied Project in Marketing (Capstone) 6cp

Choose 18 credit points (3 subjects)

• 24222 Marketing Channels 6cp

• 24223 New Product Marketing 6cp

• 24224 Pricing Strategies and Tactics 6cp

• 24205 Business-to-Business Marketing 6cp

• 24331 Marketing Analytics and Decisions 6cp

• 24220 International Marketing 6cp

• 24306 Services Marketing 6cp

• 24104 Emerging Marketing Issues and Social Media 6cp

• 24999 Business Internship

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduating with a Marketing major opens up a wealth of

opportunity with regard to career prospects. Graduates who

complete the Marketing major are eligible to apply for Asso-

ciate Membership of the Australian Marketing Institute – the

professional body for marketers.

GRADUATE POSITIONS:

• Marketing Analyst

• Marketing Coordinator

• Sales & Marketing Assistant

• Insight Analyst

• Social Media Advisor

• Events Coordinator

CAREER PROGRESSION:

• Marketing Manager

• Brand Manager

• Service Experience and Quality Manager

• Marketing Director

• Marketing Executive

• Product Manager

MARKETINGMarketing focuses on understanding the wants and needs of individual and business consumers/markets and developing strate-

gies, products, solutions and ways to communicate and deliver those offers to those markets. It is vital to organisations because

the better they understand their consumers’ wants and needs, the better they can satisfy them, which is the key to being more

successful than competitors in any market. This means a marketing skill-set is one of the key attributes that employers look for

in university graduates, because the knowledge and skills are completely transferable to any industry sector or market, for any

product or service.


PROFILE MARKETING

78

Q: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START?

I was fortunate enough to be offered a

Graduate Role after fi nishing my degree.

Q: DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR

TYPICAL WORK DAY INVOLVES?

I work off a typical work week instead

of a typical work day. My week begins

with team and project meetings on

Monday to set the agenda and plan for

the week, including potential issues and

risks. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

involves doing work and participating in

meetings with different stakeholders

to provide updates on project progress,

discuss project issues and solutions,

and provide input into the direction of

Group wide projects. Friday is a wrap

up of the week, refl ections on progress

and early thoughts on the following

week’s plan.

Q: WHAT ARE THE HOURS LIKE?

I’m normally in the offi ce between

10-12hrs per day with some weekend

work depending on the stage of pro-

jects and number of issues to resolve.

Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST

ABOUT YOUR POSITION?

I really enjoy the challenge of providing

input into driving the long term direction

and success of the business, particu-

larly in the face of challenging trends in

the business environment.

Q: WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST

CHALLENGING IN YOUR WORK?

Success in a large organisation is all

about the people. To be effective in my

role, I need to ensure that I work closely

with all my stakeholders to align our

efforts and projects, leverage prior learn-

ing and developments, and avoid dupli-

cation of effort. Poor stakeholder man-

agement will create additional barriers

to gain agreement and buy-in, and slow

down the implementation and resolu-

tion of issues.

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU

GIVE TO OTHERS WANTING TO

GET INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK?

Strategy is not for everyone. To be suc-

cessful in this line of work you need

to enjoy working with a large range of

stakeholders at different levels of sen-

iority, be comfortable operating with

minimal information and high levels of

uncertainty, and a relentless passion

to solve problems that have no prec-

edence.

TU DUONGBACHELOR OF BUSINESS (MARKETING/ E-BUSINESS)

COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA | EXECUTIVE MANAGER STRATEGY,

LOCAL BUSINESS BANKING

UTS GRADUATE EXPERIENCE


PROFILEMARKETING

79

Q: WHY DID YOU SELECT THE FIELD

OF MARKETING?

I was originally attracted to Marketing

because of its fancy name. It sounded

like dealing with everyday business that

anyone encounters. In fact, I was right.

Marketing deals with both consumers

and company. The other business dis-

ciplines mostly focus on the company.

Marketing focuses on how consumers

think and behave. Thus, it gives insights

into how companies can provide higher

value to their consumers. It sure is the

most attractive fi eld in business.

Q: WHAT SKILLS CAN

STUDENTS EXPECT TO LEARN

IN YOUR SUBJECTS?

Marketing research helps decision mak-

ers identify problems and fi nd solu-

tions to make better decisions. In my

subject, students learn fundamental

theories and have practical experience

by conducting a real business project

sponsored by a partner company. Upon

completion, they will be able to lead

focus group discussions, develop good

questionnaire items for a survey, imple-

ment online surveys and conduct statis-

tical analysis. Presentation skill is also

emphasized.

Q: HOW ARE THESE SKILLS

APPLIED IN PRACTICE WHEN

THEY ENTER THE WORKFORCE?

When they work for a marketing

research/consulting fi rm, they must be

able to initiate a research project and

complete the project just like what

they did for a class project. Meanwhile,

when they enter a client side business

hiring marketing research agency, they

can communicate properly with profes-

sionals and evaluate the quality of the

research. Thus, regardless of which side

of business they work for, the skills and

knowledge from the subject will be very

valuable.

KYUSEOP KWAKMARKETING RESEARCH

MEET THE LECTURER

Q: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

With my undergraduate business degree from Korea University, I worked for Hyundai Research Institute until 2000. During my

master’s degree at the A.C.Nielsen Center for Marketing Research in University of Wisconsis-Madison, US, I had 3-months

internship at A.C.Nielsen. I then pursued my PhD at the University of Iowa, focusing on quantitative research involving choice

modeling and statistical analyses. Upon my completion in PhD, I joined Marketing Discipline Group at UTS in 2007 and have

been working as a lecturer since then. I am also associated with Centre for the Study of Choice (CenSoc).

YOUR GREEN LIGHT TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

1. Find new potential, 2. Realise business value, 3. Create new outcomes, 4. Clarify best actions.

Perceptics equips companies worldwide with advantages that competitors simply can’t copy.

AUSTRALIA perceptics.com.au +61 (0)2 8060 4300

UNITED KINGDOM perceptics.co.uk +44 (0)20 8144 8143

UNITED STATES percepticsinternational.com +1 323 606 9210

Copyright © 2013 Perceptics International Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

PERCEPTICS IS LOOKING IN PLACES OTHERS CAN’T SEE.

Businesses need every advantage they can get to match market demands and compete for customer dollars. Company leaders worldwide know only the best performers will stand out in an increasingly complex economic landscape.

86% BUSINESS NOW IS MORE COMPLEX THAN PAST 3 YEARS.

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit

By looking in places the others don’t, won’t or can’t, Perceptics is making collective sense from separate, existing information in business. Detecting the connections between strategy, disparate data and business activities, Perceptics provides the context needed for addressing complex challenges and strengthening strategic capabilities.

The best working relationships require trust, integrity and mutual respect formed through shared values, glued together with humour.

CLEAR STEPS TO SATISFACTION

Cyclical measurement of satisfaction created a self-fuelling source of dissatisfaction among customers and employees of a global technology company.

Perceptics investigative analysis of separate, existing information overcame the challenges of unknown customer opportunities and unclear actions.

Equipped with contextual answers, Perceptics developed coordinated programs that delivered in-year results and strengthened engagement with customers and employees.

CHANNEL PERFORMANCE

The competitors of a global technology company were gaining momentum. Significant loss in revenue and market share were the focus of weekly executive forums and by mid-year the situation was critical.

Complex questions were raised. Existing operational reports couldn’t provide the answers. Multiple, isolated IT systems meant the cross-functional pattern of customer interactions was undetectable.

With Perceptics, the invisible boundaries surrounding conventional information sources are removed. Contextual analysis underpinned development of new strategic priorities and identified inter-dependencies for success. These essential answers unified the efforts of marketing, sales and service to deliver the seamless interaction customers demand.

CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

We seek the real cause, facts and to challenge the status quo. The Perceptics team are active participants with the determination to see things through to completion.

Our efforts are vested in the best interests of whose with whom we work.

Register your interest at [email protected] or visit our website.

WORKING WITH PERCEPTICS

SPOTLIGHT ON INFORMATION-BASED STRATEGY


PROFILEMARKETING

81

MARKETINGINDUSTRY

mumbrella.com.au

Everything about Australia’s media,

marketing and entertainment.

digitalbuzzblog.com

Features the latest digital ad

campaigns, new websites,

interactive marketing ideas, digital

campaign case studies, and other

digital trends all over the world.

brandchannel.com

International website about brand mar-

keting and branding.

bandt.com.au

Covers information about Australia’s

advertising, marketing media and PR

industries. Find events, campaigns,

jobs, and which advertising

agencies won B&T Awards.

MARKETING PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS

AUSTRALIAN MARKETING

INSTITUTE (AMI)

www.ami.org.au

The Australian Marketing Institute is the

professional association for marketers.

MEDIA FEDERATION OF

AUSTRALIA (MFA)

www.mediafederation.org.au

The MFA offers internships for three

months in a media agency.

Australian Marketing & Social

Research (AMSRS)

www.amsrs.com.au

Non-for-profi t professional membership

dedicated to marketing research.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

AND MANAGEMENT

ASSOCIATION (PDMA)

www.pdma.org

International website dedicated to new

product development and innovation.

AUSTRALIAN DIRECT MARKETING

ASSOCIATION (ADMA)

www.adma.com.au

Australian Association for data-driven

marketing & advertising.

MARKETING COMPANIES

• Millward Brown

• Perceptics

• AC Nielson

• Ikon Communications

• M&C Satchii

• Leo Burnett

• Wunderman

• Clemenger BBDO

• MARS Australia

• Proctor & Gamble

• Coca-Cola Amatil

• Unilever

• Schweppes Australia

• Reckitt Beckinser

• Telstra

• Commonwealth Bank

MARKETING WEBSITESKeeping on top of marketing trends can impress potential employees by your depth of understanding. The following websites

can kick-start your understanding of the industry, and are a great place to start to see how your marketing major can be applied

in practice.


SPONSORS

82

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

GUIDE SPONSORS


INTRODUCTION

83

THANK YOU UTS BSOC COMMITTEE

The UTS Business Society

(UTS BSoc) is a dynamic

student-run organisation that

strives to enhance the university

experience for our members

through educational, vocational

and social programs and events.

Without our hard working team

UTS BSoc wouldn’t be what it is

today – so a big thank you to our

entire committee!

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Shanil LAL

VICE PRESIDENT

Rosie KAVANAGH

SECRETARY

Katheryne BARETAS

TREASURER

Yuxi PAN

DIRECTORS

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Sharon LIU

SOCIALS DIRECTOR

Mark TOMA

CAREERS DIRECTOR

Lloyd WOOD

EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Ameet NAND

IT DIRECTOR

Laura-Marie RULLO

SOCIAL JUSTICE DIRECTOR

Pranamie MANDALAWATTA

WEBSITEhttp://www.utsbsoc.com

FACEBOOKhttp://www.facebook.com/utsbsoc

TWITTERhttps://twitter.com/utsbsoc

EMAILoffi [email protected]

MARKETING

Brendan CHEUNG

Daniella SUKKAR

Danielle SZCZESNY

Celine TRUONG

Joanna TSAPROUNIS

SOCIALS

Rojda DAG

Scott FERRIS

Chryssanthe HRONOPOULOS

Sebastian HUYNH

Luke SHIELDS

Kevin THAY

CAREERS

Annelise JEROMELA

Elise KENNEDY

Suzy LIVAJA

Demara ROCHE

Davor TOCAKOVIC

EDUCATION

Nafi z CHOWDHURY

Bryan DO

Saad KHAN

Harshaa RAHA

IT TEAM

Alexander PATRULESCU

Priyanka SRIRAMULA

SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM

Ashleigh CARR

Josel ESPINOSA

Tiffany FAZON

Dominic RANERI

FIRST YEAR

REPRESENTATIVE

Karen ZHANG

COMMITTEE

2013 uts bsoc careers guide

Documents