Finding career success in these changing times requires more than just a university degree – you need to develop skills employers want. That’s why Fernando Gallieto and Sohan Gunasekara chose to study at La Trobe University. With the support of expert staff, they built the skills needed to succeed in today’s evolving employment landscape.
Before travelling from the Philippines to study a Juris Doctor in Australia, Fernando knew he wanted a university with a reputation for excellence as well as career success.
‘I was after a university that can provide the best education and atmosphere for all students,’ says Fernando.
‘Unlike other universities with a reputation of producing “robot-like” students, I chose La Trobe because I was extremely drawn to the feedback about graduates who secured a job soon after finishing their course – a reflection on their intelligence and social skills.’
La Trobe prides itself on helping students become career ready. A recent Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) survey found that 87.6 per cent of our undergraduates secured employment within four months.
A reputation for excellence was also a deciding factor for Sohan, who travelled from Sri Lanka to study a Master of Business Analytics.
‘It was the multicultural friendly environment, high research output, outstanding academic staff and the top 1% ranking that made me choose La Trobe University over other universities around the world,’ says Sohan.
More than just classroom learning
However, it was the support and one-on-one time with lecturers that was the stand-out feature for Fernando and Sohan.
‘All my lecturers were very supportive,’ says Sohan.
‘They played a huge role in my academic life during the Master’s program, going beyond the traditional borders of teaching — even during COVID-19. I really appreciate their dedication in delivering lectures in a creative and motivational way.’
It was Sohan’s research supervisor Professor Theekshana Suraweera who inspired him to pursue further study at La Trobe.
‘During my final year of my Bachelor’s degree, Professor Suraweera arranged a meeting for me with Dr Pramudi Suraweera who is practising as a principal data scientist at the leading Australian job portal SEEK.com.’
After the meeting with Dr Pramudi, Sohan developed a deeper appreciation for the impact data analytics can have not just on businesses, but on the world we live in.
With his passion reignited, Sohan began to research postgraduate study options.
‘While going through top 50 world’s best postgraduate business analytics programs, I found La Trobe’s Master of Business Analytics which promises high-demand career opportunities.
‘Believing it would help me to enhance my knowledge and serve my nation to make it more sustainable, I made my choice’
Build career skills while you study
In addition to academic support, La Trobe offers a wide range of placement opportunities and career advice to help students make the most of their degree.
‘I went through career counselling and career programs frequently during my studies,’ recalls Sohan.
‘The best experience I had was the career expo program, which allowed me to explore the industrial needs of data analytics and opportunities in the Australian context.’
Sohan was also able to apply his classroom learning to professional environments thanks to an internship at the Hume City Council in Victoria.
‘It was an amazing experience which helped me understand how Australian local government institutions use data analytical practices to [solve] hardships faced by residents.’
With the support of expert staff and industry placement opportunities, both Sohan and Fernando were able to graduate career ready and meet the needs of today’s employment landscape.
Looking for a world-class education and career skills? Take a look La Trobe’s range of undergraduate and postgraduate course offerings for international students today.
