Graduate Position in the Pipeline
Wollongong University students will have the opportunity to put themselves ahead of the game when it comes to securing a graduate position at tomorrow night’s Networking After 5 event.
The event, held in the UniCentre Function Rooms will bring students together with local business spokespeople. UOW event organiser Jenna Puglisi describes it as, “a great opportunity for students to meet local businesses.”
With the help of the Illawarra Business Chamber, Miss Puglisi says over 150 local business people will attend, including representatives from Westpac, Maguire & McInerney Laywers, the Lagoon Restaurant, Kells and Ray White Real Estate.
Over 200 students have registered for the event and will be addressed by guest speaker Michael McCann, Director of Pactera’s Wollongong Delivery Centre.
UOW Careers Central Director, Mr Martin Smith says big corporations only recruit about 15% of students into graduate positions, rendering small and medium enterprise the most likely option for graduating students.
He says the Networking After 5 event is just one of the ways university students can increase their employability. “Businesses are interested in meeting up with people who are proactive and who approach them directly, and it’s a great way for students to get insights into what’s going on in a particular industry.”
But what is the incentive for businesses? Mr Martin says, “local businesses find it hard to harness talent before it leaves the region, so they’re interested in thinking about their talent pipelines for the future.”
Brian Horan is the founder of eCareers Academy and one of UOW’s very own alumni. He has been attending the Networking at 5 initiative since its inception in 2012. He says the night is a great time for students to practice having conversations in a business environment.
He says, “It’s all about the art of conversation—it’s a gift and a skill that you can learn.” Brian says his main purpose on the night is to, “encourage and inspire students to keep on going and believe in themselves and what they do.”
Human Resource Coordinator of Novotel Northbeach Wollongong, Chantelle Drolc says they run an intern program for UOW students and attend the Networking After 5 event regularly. “It’s a great community event for us to network with people around Wollongong and a chance for us to meet potential employees of Accor.”
Top tips for UOW graduates
Recent graduate Skae Castle shares her tips for securing your place in the workforce. She graduated in 2012 and now works full-time as a marketing coordinator for Wests Leagues Club. Brian Horan, managing director of eCareers Academy explains how he teaches graduates to transition from university and careers consultant Miki Neale gives a few tips for resumes and interviews.
Networking after 5 helps land graduates jobs
So you’ve graduated? Time to get a job. But it’s harder than you might think. The University of Wollongong is hosting the Networking after 5 event, which will allow students to practice networking skills with 100 local professionals. Careers Central Director, Martin Smith, and Madeline Cross, Regional Coordinator of Engineers Australia and Secretary of Young Engineers Illawarra (one of the committees attending Networking after 5) talk about why graduates are struggling to find jobs, particularly in the engineering field, and how events like Networking after 5 can make landing a graduate job a whole lot easier.
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WHEN? Thursday April 10, 5:45-7:30pm
WHERE? UniCentre Function Rooms (Building 11)
REGISTRATION? Optional
CATERING? Drinks and canapés
Audio: Yasmin Blundell
Video: Nina Ferguson
Words: Chelsea Anstee
