UNSW : Alumni

Alumni Speak

Name:Shweta Jain

Course pursued: Bachelor of Commerce - Australian School of Business

With the global financial crisis reducing employment opportunities for business graduates worldwide, Shweta Jain hopes she has a better chance than most. Her advantage is the global exposure she has received at Australia’s top business school, the Australian School of Business at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Shweta is in the final year of a three-year Bachelor of Commerce degree and hopes to gain experience in the financial market in Australia rather than return immediately to her home in New Delhi, where her father runs and iron and steel trading company. While she acknowledges international students in Australia face obstacles when they look for work experience, she says studying in the multicultural environment of UNSW has given her more options than she would have had if she had remained in India. The Indian jobs crunch means that students who gain work experience as well as qualifications overseas are in a better position to find employment when they return home, with an estimated 90% of India’s overseas students choosing to stay on in their chosen country for at least a year once their courses have finished.

“It’s been a really good chance to come to Australia and get the exposure I was looking for. In Australia there are high education standards and amazing professors - it offers a better chance,” says Shweta. She initially chose to study in Sydney because she had relatives there, but she has also benefitted from the independence life in that city has given her. She shares private accommodation with an Indian friend in the city centre and believes her experience of life outside the protective environment of her family has boosted her personal development. At just 18 when she arrived, her safety and comfort have never been in question. This smooth transition into life in Australia was helped in part by the activities of International Student Services, which provides personalised services and support to international students and aims to promote understanding between people from different cultures through a wide range of activities. The University takes student safety seriously, providing adequate lighting on campus, comprehensive security services and advice for students on how to protect themselves. It also provides a shuttle bus to transport students around campus and to neighbouring suburbs. However, Shweta says that not once has she felt threatened in Sydney.

“Australians are really helpful and friendly. I have been here for three years, I’ve gone everywhere in Sydney, I travel by myself at all times, from late at night to early in the morning, and I haven’t come across any problems at all,” she says. UNSW offers a professional development program for international students to provide work experience and enhance their employment opportunities. Among the clubs and societies on campus are groups which help students develop their professional skills to help them become future business leaders.

“The global financial crisis has affected the market I really wanted to get into, but I am still passionate about numbers,” says Shweta. “Now it’s up to me.”

My name is Virag Satra. I am currently not working as I am busy preparing for the Indian Civil Services Examination.

I previously worked as a Process Leading Hand at Global Renewables in Eastern Creek in Sydney from Feb 2007 to Oct 2008. It is a waste management plant and I worked in the digestion/electricity generation area of the plant. I received the information about this job from the school of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering from where I had done my masters.

I came as a student to Australia and was fortunate enough to be sponsored by this company. It was a good work environment and I learnt a lot during my work period. The plant and the process was definitely a challenge for a Renewable engineer. I quit in Oct 2008 to come back to India.

I commenced study at UNSW in February 2006 and pursued the Masters of Engineering Science in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy. I chose UNSW because the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering in UNSW is very famous for the research program and the excellent staff. It suited my ambition of studying in the field of Solar and Renewable Energy under the guidance of top researchers.

While at university, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at UNSW. I made a bunch of good friends from the multi cultured environment. My school and the enthusiasm among the students for Renewable Energy was a matter of great encouragement for me to study well. But definitely the highlight has to be the friendliness of the students from various countries who made my stay there most enjoyable.

I lived in Sydney for nearly three years. Without exception, the stay is memorable to me. During my student days I participated actively in the various extra curricular activities of UNSW and in turn I had the chance to see the city closely. People were very friendly and I found them very supportive. There were many opportunities to enjoy for students like me with tight finances! After the studies I worked for nearly one and a half year during which I enjoyed the beaches, did a lot of sporting activities, camping and many other fun activities. Due to my UNSW friends I preferred to stay in Kingsford even though I had to travel nearly 50 km to go to my work place!

My name is Dr. John Marshall Johnson. I currently work as Director at Johnson & Wilkins Laboratories Pvt. Ltd and St. John’s Educational Institutions, Bangalore.

I commenced study at UNSW in the year 2003 – 2005 and pursued the Masters in Health Management. I chose UNSW because it had the reputation of being a premier University with an excellent campus. The highlight of studying at UNSW was the Multicultural classroom and excellent faculty.

While at university, I chose to live on campus at the Barker Apartments. My wife stayed at home with our toddler son. Our daughter studied at Our Lady of the Rosary school. People were friendly everywhere, on campus, in Church, the Malls. We had a simple policy- “Smile and be friendly and the world will do the same to you”. It was a beautiful experience to stay and learn in Sydney - a vibrant, clean and orderly city. We will always cherish those memories. (We were almost tempted to settle and work there, maybe someday)

As advice I’d like to say, Try to stay on campus, it is safe and beautiful, make use of the excellent faculty and facilities and also mingle with all students especially students of other Nationalities.

My name is Umesh Chandmal Chhajed. I currently work as Founder and Managing Director of my firm Anlage Infotech (India) P. Ltd.

I commenced study at UNSW in the year 1994 - 95 and pursued the AGSM MBA. I chose UNSW because it had the reputation of being the Best school in Asia-Pacific. The highlight of studying at UNSW was Industry Interaction, Class Diversity and Excellent Faculty.

While at university, I chose to live off campus! : In my opinion Sydney is the best city in the world, best climate, excellent beaches, plenty of things to do in and around the city – skiing, hang gliding, clubbing, experiencing multi cuisines…. My extra curricular experience in Sydney included learning Archery and Fencing, playing touch football, interaction with local Indian community, participating in Indian festivals at the local temple, during the mid term breaks driving to other cities, …

As advice I’d like to say, “Good school to enhance your career, knowledgeable and helpful faculty, excellent infrastructure and be ready for lots of hard work.

My name is Jui Tawade. I currently work as Proprietor for two of my firms. One is a design firm specializing in furniture and product design called ‘Facets’ and the other is a firm called Iichha Heritage which conducts Heritage workshops. I previously worked with Stalwart Furniture, Pune as a ‘Furniture Designer’ but started my own firms in the year 2005.

I commenced study at UNSW in the year 2002 and pursued the M. Sc in Industrial Design at UNSW. I chose UNSW because the course offered catered to exactly what I wanted to specialize in. The highlight of studying at UNSW was learning from Professors practicing design worldwide and interacting with students of various nationalities.

While at university, I chose to live off campus! Sydney was an amazing place! Besides being exposed to art and design, people I interacted with in Sydney were extremely helpful and friendly.

As advice I’d like to say, “Make the most of interacting with highly qualified Professors, facilities on campus like the library, labs, etc. The student center is a very helpful resource!”