Business, Careers, Discover Deakin, India

Helping graduates get a start on their career

November 14, 2022 - 2 min read

Deakin University graduates have been making a direct and lasting impact on local companies thanks to a Victorian Government sponsored program to support international education.

Deakin’s ‘Placing International Students in Graduate Roles’ program placed 40 graduates into roles with Australian employers.

‘The higher education sector was hit especially hard by the COVID pandemic with our international students experiencing many challenges,’ said Deakin’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, Graduate Employment, Associate Professor Jamie Mustard.

‘This program was designed to support this student cohort to complete their studies and secure employment after graduation.’

‘I was able to get my foot in the door, was welcomed by my colleagues and being able to work onsite gave me direct experience in the local job market which allowed me to build my connections.’

Sumedh Sawant, who completed his Master of Professional Accounting and Finance at Deakin, was thrilled to be given the opportunity to work at Stonnington City Council. Stonnington is a local government in greater Melbourne.

‘At the start of the pandemic, I went back to India and did a year of my course online. It was a difficult time so to come back to Australia once I’d finished my masters and be accepted into the program was excellent.’

Sumedh’s placement has now ended. He has secured ongoing work with the council with the assistance of DeakinTALENT, the University’s graduate recruitment services team.

‘The program has made such an impact on my long-term career objectives,’ Sumedh said.

‘I was able to get my foot in the door, was welcomed by my colleagues and being able to work onsite gave me direct experience in the local job market which allowed me to build my connections. It was everything I hoped for.’