Adam Graham
The most valuable thing I learnt at UTS is the desire to learn and the importance of leadership.
A Bachelor of Business is a very versatile degree with a large amount of flexibility to explore and then move forward in areas you find interesting or become passionate about. This was my experience with the degree. The first year with all the core subjects from various disciplines within business allowed me to feel out and see what I found myself drawn to. For me it was marketing. I also found that the Bachelor of Business pairs very well with my double degree (Bachelors of Language and Culture). The vast amount of applicability the disciplines have towards other linking degrees or diplomas was something I only discovered as I progressed through the degree. I think the other aspect that drew me towards the Bachelor of Business was that it gave you real practical experience, especially within the Capstone project to work with a real client. I found that it was a big draw as someone who was concerned about where my career path would lead. The opportunity to move ahead and do that I found was a major reason for selecting business so I felt ready once I had graduated by having already worked within the field (slightly).
In regards to UTS, I was drawn to the fact that it was in a central location, easily accessible via public transport. I liked the fact that you could just step out of any of the buildings and instantly be in the heart of the city. You don’t have to “leave campus” to do anything, because its the city, and the city is all around you. The central location I also felt gave me more chances to meet and interact people who I likely would have never met without UTS. I grew up on the North Shore at Barker College and we had a very small bubble. Studying at UTS allowed me to break that bubble and offer different perspectives and experiences with people from different cultures, languages and schooling. More than that however, was the offering of language and culture degrees or subjects within the sociocultural field which is something that I was interested in. In particular, I enrolled at UTS into a double degree of Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. The draw to be able to learn a language, the culture and then put it all into practice in the overseas country for a year was the biggest draw. I couldn’t see at the time, any competing options. Regarding the connection to the Bachelor of Business, the International Studies degree capstone allowed me to pick a topic I was interested in within the country of choice and allows a deeper tie in with your main degree (business). I was also influenced by my father who graduated from UTS.
The most valuable thing I had learnt at UTS I think is a tie between the desire to learn and the importance of becoming a leader or leadership. UTS had fostered within my a desire to constantly learn and better myself both within university study, but also as a person. Being able to participate in club activities, meet people as well as select subjects that I found interesting made me love learning. Learning a new thing everyday from university or life I found was something I really loved about UTS. It ties into both the lecturers and the students who attend. Some of this learning was passive, but most I realised was active. I had to ask questions and ignite my curiosity which then further drove my desire to learn.
Leadership I think was something that I did not realise I would have to learn and become one myself. I found that leaders define the success, mentality and culture in groups small and large. It is important to set standards and follow through as well as accept the criticisms and advice of your party. Throughout my study at UTS I had spent almost all of it in a leadership position when completing group tasks or other social club activities. A leader isn't someone who rigidly tells others what to do, its someone who leads by example and is constantly and willing to adapt to whatever scenario occurs. Becoming a leader isn’t something that gets thrust onto you, its a choice. Just because you are in a position of authority, a team captain or a group leader doesn’t necessarily mean you are a leader. It is something you must choose yourself to be and to implement it.
I am looking forward to applying my skills and constantly learn. The future for me is somewhat uncertain. I had a number of avenues of my career path closed (because of COVID I couldn’t go overseas and had to change from International Studies to the Bachelor of Language and Culture) but a number of them open as well. I was able to work in a number of internships to continue to hone my craft while job hunting. I am keen to display my talents and show my employers what it is that I can do and show them where I have come from. At the time of writing this, I have been fortunate to find work within a finance firm and starting up their marketing team. Without the knowledge and experienced gained at UTS and the practical applications in opportunities like the Capstone I would be far less confident and ready to take such a big leap. I think it is true that employers say that UTS prepares its students well for the workforce and the industry. Now its our time and turn to show them what we can do.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Business Bachelor of International Studies
