Business As Usual

Undoubtedly, one of the significant benefits of going to Monash University is the welcoming social environment. There are so many established programs that aim to welcome first-year students in particular, such as the BusEco Peer Mentor Program. The program consists of mentors, wise and experienced students, and mentees, new students entering university. My group, which consisted of three amazing mentors and around eight to ten mentees, met regularly every Thursday for an hour to discuss any issues, questions and general life ponderings we had.

Looking back, I really appreciated this initiative because not only were the mentees able to feel comfortable to talk about anything in an open environment, but we also developed strong bonds with each other. Whether it be complaining about group assignments or going on HSP runs together, we always had each other’s backs. As well as this, I learnt a lot about how university works, study tips, course advice and extracurricular activities. Our mentors (shout out to Ronnie, Carmen and Gupreet!) definitely facilitated our transition into university life, and guided us through any problems or dilemmas we had, which definitely enhanced my personal university experience.

It’s been a week since the official closing ceremony for the BusEco Peer Mentor Program. The ceremony included an afternoon tea with scones and tea, as well as a heart-warming speech from Alison Richardson, the coordinator of the Program. While it’s quite sad to see the program end, I know for sure that the bonds we made will last for years. As the “Ancora Imparo” motto says, “I am always learning” and the BusEco Program will irrefutably contribute to every mentee’s learning experience.

One of the biggest challenges as a first year student, in my opinion, is to put yourself out there and dive into completely new opportunities you’d never had a chance to experience during your high school years. In particular, professional networking events are probably the most daunting opportunity for first-year students, especially me. Nonetheless, I’m a strong believer in giving everything a go, so today I had the insightful opportunity of attending the first Ernst & Young Game Changers Club event for 2016.

The aesthetically-pleasing building located in the heart of Melbourne CBD was enough to impress me, especially the breath-taking view from the 23rd floor of the EY office. The program for the event, however, inspired me the most. The topic of today’s workshop covered global challenges. It made me realise the importance of diversity and methods through which we can tackle global challenges. In addition to this, we had the opportunity of engaging in a Q&A panel with three EY employees who each had very different career experiences, showing that “any two experiences at EY are never the same”. Following this was the networking session, where we talked to a diverse range of professionals in various streams, including consulting, tax and finance transactions. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to listen to first-hand experiences in the workforce.

The event was not only engaging and impressive, but also inspired me to potentially work in an organisation that integrated global relations. It spurred my motivation to work even harder for my goals and aspirations so that one day, I can also be a game changer.

So to all you first-years (or high-schoolers), I strongly encourage you to get involved in your degree (or university life) as soon as possible. Whether it be joining a student society or going to networking events, there will always valuable lessons and experiences waiting for you! In other words, don’t be afraid and always strive to change the game!

Hello! My name is Jessica and I’m currently in my first year of A Bachelor of Commerce, which I am doing through the Scholars Program. After experiencing my first semester of a few Commerce units, I’m hoping to transfer to Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Actuarial Science – still undecided on my major.

I am definitely enjoying the freedom university has to offer. I have engaged in a few extracurricular activities held by Non-Residential Colleges and the Monash Photography Club; I am also a subcommittee member of the Monash Actuarial Student Society.

Outside of university, I love cooking, watching MasterChef, exploring the nooks and crannies of Melbourne and doing arts and crafts projects (although very rarely).

University has been an amazing experience for me so far, and I’m looking to providing informative and entertaining blog entries for you all!