BSOC Comunieco Issue 2 2010 by UNSW Business Society

A UNSW BUSINESS SOCIETY PUBLICATION | ISSUE 2 2010 Commerce•University•Economics

eugeneK and pasha will rule the world!

INTERNSHIPS

BOOKING YOUR FIRST SUMMER VACATION & A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS

www.unswbsoc.com

Contents.

12 |

S. ACATION V R INTERNSHIP E M M U S UR FIRST BOOKING YO onto our web f uni life? Log

uts o even more the ins and o n o re o sive access to m lu d a xc e re to ve t a n h a ill "W you w c.com where SW!! " site unswbso udents at UN st ss e n si u b y T nb yen EB CONTEN articles writte by Peter Ngu Cover photo XCLUSIVE W n

eter Nguye

antoso and P

han S Photos by: Jo

03 | Calendar and Updates 04 | Accruals 16 | Careers Corner

21| Random Thoughts

Articles

25| Living La Vida Loca

04 | Internships

25| A Bad Decision

04 | One Time at Bsoc Camp

26| Sleep Debt 101

Photoroll

23| Intervarsity ports day Photos!

This publication is proudly supported by ARC Download Comunieco, (with more articles to get you through uni!) at www.unswbsoc.com and click on Publications. Archived editions, with tips, tricks and insights into your majors, subjects and careers are there for you to get an edge up!

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 2

Calendar and Editorial Thanks to our principal sponsor who make it possible for us to bring Comunieco to you!

“Can you

believe the first half of the year is nearly over?

”

Keep up on Facebook and Twitter! http://www.facebook.com/unswbsoc http://twitter.com/unswbsoc

UPCOMING EVENTS BSXC

20 MAY

Time really does seem to fly when you’re having fun with BSOC. For the first years, we hope you’ve enjoyed your journey with us so far and have started to feel a sense of belonging in your new environment. Yes, that’s right … HSC English is haunting you. For everyone, we hope you enjoyed the mid-semester break. Assignments and exams are looming, if not already, but don’t go MIA on us just yet! With many events coming up from yours truly, we expect to see each and every one of you sharing the dancefloor with us at BSXC, meeting various employers at IMP and Business Buzz, and flicking through these pages of Comunieco of course. Until next time!

Biggest Dance party of the year brought to you by BSOC. Home Bar! Tickets on sale now!

07 JUNE

STUVAC

Allina Yang and Jessica Thiyavutikan -Editors in Chief & Publication Directors

Colloquial for Student Vacation. Time to Study for those Exams!

Comunieco team and contributors 14 JUNE

EXAM PERIOD Best of Luck!

Editors-in chief Allina Yang (Publications Director) Jessica Thiyavutikan (Publications Director) Editors

28 JUNE

SKI TRIP!

Caroline Thai Layout and Design Pasha Rayan (IT Director) Vice President Internal (BSOC)

06 JULY

INDUSTRY MENTORING LAUNCH

Michelle Mak

And all the contributors for their articles and submissions! www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 3

Accruals.

Internships Karen Wang

Many view internships as stepping stones to further their career while others see it as a source of extra income during the holidays. Those familiar with the application process may remember the times when they rummaged fervently through their piles of applications, wondering where they can edge out their competition merely by changing their font size or border outline. It is a daunting prospect to finally enter the “real world” and experience what professional work is really like. Some may find where their passions truly lie while others may be disappointed by what they discover. No matter, surely the prospect of putting on a snazzling suit for work is enough incentive to apply for that internship. Never again shall you be known as the “checkout chick” (even if you are a guy) or make greasy burgers known as “food”. However, is the professional world as good as it’s hyped up to be? Let’s assume you have been offered an internship for the summer holidays by utilising your “superior” communication skills. (Honestly you have no idea how you got it.) You have already developed preconceptions of the people you are going to work with: uptight, stressed, humourless. However, as people say, “You work hard, you party

even harder”. The more you work, the more you discover that professionals do have a life outside of work after all. Some even turn out to be fun people that you love to have a Friday night drink with, despite the age gap of 10 years. Sure, they may still make fun of you being the baby of the team, saying how cute you are “pretending” to be a professional, but you take it in good humour and sometimes even have a go at them back. As all brochures say, “this will be a valuable experience to gain important skills and expertise within the financial industry” and that is absolutely correct. I am sure that would be your foremost reason to hand in your internship applications, but no one said you cannot have fun along the way. The annual Christmas work function will surely turn your preconceptions around. As the music pounds overhead and the champagnes flow freely, you may even see your CEO shaking his bottom to Rihanna’s Rude Boy. You will definitely enjoy your time surrounded by free food and alcohol plus great company. To sum it up, you will definitely need to be professional during the working hours. But for the after hours, who knows what can happen? I guess it’s up to you to decide on whether you want that free drink off your manager.

“

“One time, at BSOC Camp” Caroline Thai:

Hayley Shieh:

I think BSOC orientation camp was a camp worth going to. Everybody was so open to meeting new people and having a good time (or getting wasted). It was definitely different to high school camp experiences in the past. Although the food wasn’t tip top, the mutated green flies dug holes through our skin and the pool felt a tad bit sticky, we had fun making/witnessing/hearing about camp stories over that long weekend. :) Trivia night was probably one of the better ice-breakers. With flying cheeseballs and cringe-worthy love poems for bribery (props to Jose Steel) it was hard to sit back while everyone was getting into the team spirit. (GO TEAM 3! :D) Of all the group activities, charades was probably the best - aside from the many alcoholic ones we learnt - because watching Tokyo Drift turn into some form of hula dance was priceless. Then the Friday and Saturday nights were quite interesting to say the least… with talks by the pool, large circles of drinking games and mischievous movements of camp ornaments… not being able to swim didn’t turn out to be that much of a loss after all. On the whole, camp was good, well worth missing FMF for. :)

I must say that at first I was unsure if I had made the right choice to sacrifice a week’s worth of my wage to go to this camp, ESPECIALLY when it wasn’t like before in high school where I knew everyone (or at least most) who was going. Very stupid of me to worry because the moment I arrived at the Physics Lawn I met the friendliest group of people who were all very willing to find new friendships, just like me. From morning activities (which were in fact FUN to my amazement) to trivia night and the AWESOME dance party, me and my group of girls couldn’t find a room for a decent rest throughout the whole 3 days and 2 nights of camp. Honestly, it was the first time I found camp food DELICIOUS- they even had a BBQ on the second day with a BUFFET of meat! OF COURSE, it wouldn’t have been the same without the leaders. Though you could tell they were only a couple of years older than us every now and then (like when they literally THREW each other unmercifully into the pool :P), we all felt a little more ‘safe’ with a group of responsible seniors around, and for sure they were like brothers and sisters who actually cared about you <3<3. This camp may have had a money value worth $200 to get hold of a position, but its value to my personal life and memory is probably way beyond that. Who said you cannot make real friends at uni? Because I’m pretty sure I already have, thanks to this camp, and it is for sure going to last until graduation. Strongly recommended for all first years!!!! (However, be careful of the post-camp syndromes that may interrupt your academic commitment for the first couple of days of uni!!! :P)

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 4

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Feature Article

Musings of an Intern Matthew Barrett

any a time I overhear conversations of the application process for Internships and Graduate positions. I love how everyone has a different theory of why they got in to the next stage, or why they were rejected without an interview. I feel like turning around and putting my two cents in, however, apparently the unwritten laws of social interaction do not include ringing in, and it would be immediately assumed that I was stalking them on Facebook. Alas, after my experiences in the Assurance Division at Ernst & Young over the summer break, I would hope that I can help some of you in the rat race that is Internship and Graduate application process. As I have learnt, managers like dot points because it is easy on their tired eyes, so I figured the same would apply to you guys, since you have all been studying very hard, destroying my high score on Bejeweled by 100,000 points. So here you are, a general guide to the application process: • Promptness > Panting – Whether it is a casual information night, or your final interview, it is of utmost importance to turn up not only on time but early. A prime example of this is my trip to a mid-tier accounting firm for an information session during my application stages last year. Unfortunately, my train was delayed and Google Maps lied to me in directing me in the opposite direction to the firm’s building. Time was ticking so I started running around to find the right building. I finally found the correct foyer and slid through the closing elevator doors into an empty lift, bar one girl, who was also panting. Looks like I wasn’t the only late one. We were clearly going to the same info session and exchanged pleasant smiles. It was at this precise moment that the elevator doors opened to a receptionist staring in shock at us. You could imagine what she was thinking when myself and the elevator girl approached the desk out of breath, sweating and smiling. Case in point, don’t be late (In case you were wondering, the firm did not ring me back for an interview…).

• Don’t study without reception – to escape the distractions that are within arms reach at home, I ventured into the depths of Macquarie University in a feeble attempt to study. Little did I know that my interviewer from Ernst & Young would ring during this hardcore cramming session. However, with no reception in the library, I ran out of the library like a madman, only to just miss the call. Luckily when my interviewer rang my home phone and my Dad picked up, he didn’t think it was an outsourced call centre notifying him that he had just won an all expenses paid trip around the world, in which he would have immediately hung up. Keep your phone handy during the application stage, ‘that’ call could come through at any time. Also, answer your phone professionally if it is a blocked or unknown number. Even if it ends up being your Mum. • The early bird definitely gets the worm – I can’t stress how important it is to apply early for Intern and Graduate applications. Look at it from the perspective of the Human Resources staff that are screening the applications. When the applications have only just opened, only a couple of CV’s are coming through, and they can review your application in a relaxed setting, with a couple of Tim Tams, and maybe even by candlelight (how romantic). Compare that to the amount of stress that they will be going through when the application deadline draws closer, and thousands of applications are coming in all at once. The HR team may even have to pull a couple of all nighters. Who do you think is going to have a better chance of getting through, Tim Tams or Pizza at 3am in the morning in the office? • Heads, shoulders, knees and toes – If you are lucky enough to get to the interview stage, first of all, congratulations! To give yourself every shot at landing the job, you might as well employ some simple interview etiquette. Bright smiles are always pleasing, and direct eye contact illustrates that you mean business (excuse the pun). Sit up straight, keep your hands on www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 6

the arms of the chair or on your knees (unless explaining something). Do not place you hands on the table if it is your interviewer’s personal desk, and do not place any bag or belongings on their desk. This includes putting your feet up on the desk! • The bucket list – No I am not talking about Morgan Freedman and Jack Nicholson’s list of things to do before they die. This is a rule which a wise man told me, which I built on. The idea is that you have three buckets, and your aim is to keep them all full. o The first bucket is your marks, try to maintain a decent WAM and strive to improve it. o The second bucket is your extracurricular activities – get involved in societies on campus (*cough* BSOC *cough*), help out in your community, play a sport, play an instrument. They all add to your development as a person and employers will be able to recognise this. o The third bucket is for work experience – Any work experience is beneficial. Maccas, tutoring, or working in the family restaurant all have a skills set that is transferable to the opportunities given to by Internship and Graduate positions. If I can convince a Big 4 Accounting Firm that selling perfume in retail will help me audit a client’s financial statements, you can too. • Dean – No I am not on the Dean’s list and no my name is not Dean. In fact, the only Dean I know is the one in Gryffindor at Hogwarts. I only have a Credit WAM; see the above point. • Be functional at functions – Many firms who have Internship and Graduate opportunities hold information sessions where alcohol is provided. While these events are casual, and you should enjoy yourself, do not go overboard with the drinks. This is not a Friday night on the town with your mates; remember you are there for a purpose.

mean the night before your interview, it needs to be over time. It will make a difference to your ability to think on the spot, and come up with an answer that will blow the HR team away. For more helpful tips, come along to our Peer Industry Mentoring Program (PIMP) workshops next semester run by the UNSWBSOC Education Portfolio!

WAM

WORK EXP extra C

URRICU LAR

• Sleep – 8 hours is really important, and I don’t www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 7

Interviews with Industry “Businesses are looking for... people with a deep expertise in one field but then also a diversity of knowledge.”

GLEN BOREHAM Managing Director IBM, Australia and New Zealand

Glen Boreham is the Managing Director of IBM Australia and New Zealand, managing 15,000 employees and handing revenues of $4 billion annually. He is a member of the Australian Business Council and participated in the Australian Government’s 2020 Summit in 2008. In both 2007 and 2009 the Australian Financial Review named him as one of the top five most powerful people in information industries. UNSW Student, Nick James Interviews him: Q| I believe you worked in Japan and Europe for a number of years. What did your time working away from Australasia, living and working in a different culture teach you about both business and life in general? A| I lived in Tokyo for 2 years from 1994 to 1996 and then in London from 1998 to 2004. First of all, I enjoyed both experiences enormously, they were wonderful opportunities at a personal and professional level. On both occasions the request to move overseas came about at an inconvenient time personally. In the case of the move to London, my twin babies were only 1 year old, we had only recently returned to Australia and resettled into a new house. So the first lesson was that when opportunities open up in life you must grab them with both hands. Nothing in life happens to a script, opportunities occur when you least expect it so flexibility and willingness to change are important. The second lesson I learned overseas is how small Australia is once you see the world through bigger lens. I do think

Australia is the best country in the world to Finally, it is important to build a great team live ... but we are NOT the best at everything around you and be willing to delegate and trust. and can learn from other countries and places. The third lesson is that at our core human beings around the world are the same whether it be in Japan, UK or Central Europe. In a work environment, people want to contribute and feel valued. In their personal lives, people want to improve their quality of living and leave better options for their children.

Q| You were involved in the Australian 2020 summit in 2008. You’re clearly forward thinking, but what do you do to stay on top of an industry that is so rapidly changing? A| The first thing about my industry is that you must be willing to keep learning throughout your career. This is the case in most industries but the cycle times in IT are so short. I hire graduates from all backgrounds - history, languages, business - not just IT studies because the most valuable thing a graduate can bring to IBM is general intelligence, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. People who come from IT studies are obviously valued by IBM but the fact is the specific knowledge they bring into the company only has a shelf-life of 3-4 years before new ideas and technologies make it obsolete. The other way to stay on top of things is actually to let go and accept you can’t be an expert on everything. IBM is an extraordinarily complex company with a big agenda. In Australia we employ over 15,000 people and cover all facets of the IT industry: services, hardware, software across all markets. The trick is to know a little bit about everything but then be able to go deep when needed, say when a particular part of the business needs extra focus.

Q| How has the global financial crisis altered the concept of work/ life balance? A| The financial downturn has certainly increased the intensity in business, there is no doubt about that. Also, the technology industry that I work in has made us all available 24/7 with laptops, mobile phones, Blackberries. However, the principles of work/life balance remain the same: it is about prioritisation. I am proud of the fact that despite a gruelling schedule, I attend all my children’s school events. I also work from home occasionally as it is very productive for me to do this. I do believe strongly that people with a balanced life are better at work. It is important to keep fit and healthy, and important to have interests outside of work. With the right mind-set technology can very much improve work/life balance rather than diminish it.

Q | What do you think are important attributes for business graduates to possess that are now entering the job market? A | The most important change in the workforce in the past decade is the growing need for people with multi-disciplinary skills. In earlier times being an expert in a single area was enough whether it be in electrical engineering or software programming. Today, businesses are looking for “T” shaped graduates. People with a deep expertise in one field but then also a diversity of knowledge. A good example of this in practice is people we have in IBM Australia who do on-line

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 8

fraud detection. Their core expertise is as software programmer but in addition they need skills in accounting, psychology and criminology to be great at their work.

Q| What criteria are used to determine which employees will be promoted more quickly in the workplace? A| First of all, ambition is good! It needs to be appropriate ambition rather than arrogance or a false sense of capability. However, simply letting your manager know you have higher aspirations and desire is a good start. However, the ambition does need to be matched with performance as at the end of the day this is what business is about. Whatever the industry, people skills and communications skills are crucial. A new employee may have great skills and ideas but unless they can effectively communicate them, unless they can work in a team, unless they can bring others along on their journey, these will be wasted.

Q| There is mixed sentiment on the outlook of the economy for 2010, how do you see the outlook for the I.T. industry and businesses in general in the next year. A|I am optimistic for the overall Australian economy and very optimistic about the

prospects for IT. Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural resource base, our proximity to the growth countries in Asia Pacific, and our base of skills makes me believe the next decade or two in Australia will be prosperous. For IT, I believe we have only scratched the surface of the possibilities to improve individuals, companies, and our country. Before the financial crisis, after many years of unbroken economic growth, the focus on IT was largely about growth: how do I process more sales, mortgages, airline tickets. During the financial crisis the focus shifted exclusively to cost takeout. I believe we now have a very healthy balance. Companies are looking at IT to support a return to business growth but doing so in the shadow of the GFC with an eye still strongly on cost. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;growth plus costâ&#x20AC;? agenda is a great opportunity for IT based transformation.

Nick James

Finally, I believe IT has the potential to help us tackle the big issues of our time. IT can be used to make our electricity and water systems smarter with improved environmental outcomes. IT can make our health system smarter with improved patient outcomes. IT can help companies and governments deliver improved customer service and introduce new services. It is a very exciting time to be in Australia and in the IT industry.

Volunteer s n o i t a c i l app

g n i r o t u T k c a for Sh now open.

o t n o i t a c i l p p a r u o Submit y au

u d e . w s n u . c r a @ k c a h s the

Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to start at the bottom. That’s why we’d like you to consider Commonwealth Bank’s summer program. This ten-week, paid internship is a great opportunity to give yourself a step up by working alongside senior management at Australia’s leading bank. You’ll gain invaluable on-the-job experience. Plus, you’ll be at the top of the list when it comes time to choose applicants for our graduate program. Visit commbank.com.au/summer

Start at the top.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. CBAB0155

Things to Know During First Year

If you are new to Sydney, or just the UNSW Kensington campus area in general, here’s a quick (and awesome) food review of what’s good to eat which won’t blow your uni student budget. The following food outlets and restaurants have been tastetested and highly recommended by BSOC execs (some of whom are also self-proclaimed great food critics).

Within the UNSW Kensington campus

By Vicki Peng

Stock Market: Located at the far end of the Food Court in the Mathews Building. Yes, the trek up Basser Steps to upper campus is definitely worth the effort for this rare gem on campus. You choose a salad base (cos lettuce/mixed leaf), pick up to 7 ingredients from a wide selection of fresh salad fillings, top it up with any of the tasty dressings and you have a healthy, filling meal at a great price. There is also a selection of great soup, pasta and freshly squeezed juice on the menu. Prices: 4/5; Food: 4/5 Ivan’s Fernery: Located above the Roundhouse. You can eat in or takeaway from this restaurant featuring Southeast Asian delights such as Pad See Ew (fried rice noodles with sweet soy sauce), Wah Tan Ho (fried rice noodles with a runny egg sauce on top), Hainan Chicken with Rice (think Poh in Masterchef finals) and Crispy Chicken with Rice. Consider this a treat as overindulging from here may cause weight gain over time (from the abundant amount of oil used in the dishes). Prices: 3/5; Food: 4/5 Quad Food Court: If you are a lazy business student like the rest of us, the Quad Food Court is possibly the closest destination for that gap in between classes. There is a wide range of food available including a juice and salad bar, noodles bar, kebabs at The Carvery, pasta, sushi, and sandwich shop. Everything may seem new and exciting at first; however you will quickly get sick of going there and making your wallet suffer. Prices: 3/5; Food: 3/5 If you are in need of a caffeine hit in between hitting the books…who am I kidding, the caffeine is most needed after a huge night out. The following quick reference will hopefully help you start your day and keep you awake and hyped up during classes. Coffee Republic: Located next to the second hand book store and next to the Roundhouse. There’s also a CBA ATM nearby. JG’s Café: Located next to the Science Theatre just off the Main Walkway. This café is great for chilling out and “people-watching”. Q Lounge/Quad Cafe: Another reason for the love/ hate relationship with the Quad Food Court - there is not just one but two cafes! Q Lounge is upstairs and offers comfy couches and outside balcony seats. The Quad Café is downstairs at the centre of the food court. Both cafes also have a selection of lunch ideas and serve Vittoria coffee. Café Brioso (aka Coffee Cart): Located between the Morven Brown building and library lawn. Most popular coffee place on campus - enough said.

Along Anzac Parade McDonald’s Kingsford: Located on Barker St, you cannot miss the Golden Arches. The second busiest store in all of NSW with many thanks to UNSW students no doubt. What can I say, Macca’s is the same everywhere, but this one offers special student deals such as a free upgrade for McValue Meals. Try to avoid the 12-2pm lunch rush though as the lines can get a little bit hectic. Prices: 3/5; Food: 3/5 Ayam Goreng Jakarta: 275 Anzac Parade, Kingsford. You are most likely to walk past this hidden Indonesian restaurant as it features a small courtyard and the weathered building itself is tucked behind. The menu is extensive and food is served up at a reasonable speed (to counteract the small distance from Uni). I recommend the thin rice noodles section, satay chicken sticks with coconut rice cubes and the coconut juice is beautiful on a hot summer day. (The actual menu items may be named differently.) I also love how they give you an order form and pencil and you get to write out the items yourself - it adds a bit of fun to the experience. Prices: 4/5; Food: 4/5 Yong Jing’s Kitchen Enlightenment/New Dong Dong Noodles/Kingsford Chinese Restaurant: 426/428/430 Anzac Parade, Kingsford. Yes, these three Chinese restaurants are back to back next to each other! Each fabulous in their own way, each restaurant will specialise in their own…specialties. You will see that most other students already have their favourites from each place. Take time to explore and try each or peek over at the next table and observe what others have ordered to get some ideas. ☺ Prices: 4/5; Food 4/5 In Chan Thai Restaurant: 482 Anzac Parade Kingsford. $7.50 lunchtime specials…need I say more? Fantastic traditional Thai dishes at great prices. They even close every Monday during the holidays until the UNSW semester begins again. In Chan ♥ us and we definitely ♥ In Chan. Prices: 5/5; Food 4/5 There are many other gems further down Anzac Parade including Mamma Teresa Italian Restaurant and there is also the fast food outlet Oporto. Also, what better way to top off a meal other than with a refreshing drink from EasyWay? www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 11

Booking Your First

Summer Vacation So you want a summer internship and you don’t know what to do. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. As a business student, you’ve probably heard the term “summer internship” or “summer vacation work” thrown around your social circles, but truth is it’s no holiday.

Boris Cheung

But have no fear, reality is here, and you probably have a better chance at claiming one of those valuable spots than you think. So here are a few important points to note about applying for summer internships, some of which will likely surprise you.

UNSW Business society would also like to congratulate Boris, who at the time of editing, earned a graduate position at a top tier accounting firm!

After successfully gaining a spot in Deloitte’s 2009-2010 Summer Vacation Program I realised Important Point Number 1:

It’s not all about marks. (In stating so, please continue to study, you still need to pass) Too many students out there believe that they need a credit or distinction average to even have a chance at obtaining a summer internship. I can tell you from personal experience, as much as marks help, you should definitely note Important Point Number 2:

It’s a balancing scale between marks and extracurricular

(So get involved with BSOC) (P.S. I got in with a pass average) (…once again, please continue to study) Whether it be extra-curricular, work experience or even club promoting, most activities away from your studies will generally help any work application. Furthermore, companies these days are looking for students with interests outside of university (…aka they have a life). By now all you club promoters and those with strange interests would be glad to see Important Point Number 3:

It’s all in how you word it. (But there are limits) Experience is the key, and the more applications you complete the faster and better you will be at them. Attend career events, talk to people in the industry and talk to people who have been through the same experience and learn how to write what they want to hear. Be smart about your applications, do as many as you can and remember Important

Point Number 4:

Save all your answers. (But please remember to change the company names) Too often, students forget to change the company name in their CVs, cover letters and answers. If Deloitte sees why you want to work for KPMG you can be safely assured they won’t be friendly and help you forward it on to the graduate recruitment team at KPMG with a smiley face sticker. The application stage is hardest part, so here are a few quick tips to pass the remaining stages. Always overdress, never under dress. (Or undress for that matter) (Nor should you attempt to woo the partner) (Yes it has been attempted, no it was not successful… and no it was not me)

Miscellaneous Tips: Get in early, a general rule of thumb is that companies will not look at applications 24-48 hours outside of the deadline unless they’re exceptionally good. Guys: don’t wear white socks. Don’t get drunk or even get a nice glow at company functions/ information sessions. Be 10-15 minutes early, no earlier, no later. Never call up asking why you have not received an email, phone call, or reply. If they want you, they will call you. Create a work email; applying with sxc.azn.gurl@hotmail.com is not exactly appropriate. Finally, good luck, and remember that there’s always help out there, you just need to ask; and the BSOC Team will always be more than happy to provide a few pointers.

Personalised invitations to “information sessions” are never just “information sessions”. (Big Brother is always watching) (Always) Be heard and lead, but never dominate in a group interview. (If someone is quiet (hopefully not you), bring them into the discussion) Do as much practice before any online test. (Get advice from those who have done them before) (And remember you must declare “you are actually the (insert name) doing the test”) Partners are people too, don’t be nervous in an interview; it’s honestly just a chat. (They’re mainly asking questions about you, so if you don’t know you, this article can’t help you)

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 13

Careers Corner.

Business Buzz Students talk over their future at Business Buzz, held on the 11th of May at the Dean’s Lounge ASB

Careers Update: An update from our Careers Portfolio, what we have in stall to help your future.

Graduate and Accounting Internship Luncheon Missed out? The exclusive annual UNSW Business Society Graduate and Accounting Internships Luncheon was held on March 9 in the Roundhouse. This year we had quite a range of sponsors and employers – Westpac Institutional Bank, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, Deloitte, Towers Watson, Teach for Australia, ACS Foundation, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. We had Westpac Institution Bank, the Institute and Deloitte on a panel. Questions answered ranged from ‘What kind of international opportunities do you have?’ to ‘What do you look for in an ideal candidate?’ If you’re looking to apply for graduate positions or internships this year, you haven’t missed out completely yet! Check out the UNSW Business Society Mini-

Careers Guide 2010 for some awesome tips, and look out for up-coming info sessions by Westpac Institutional Bank, the Big4 accounting firms, and the Institute. Also keep an eye out for our Industry Mentoring Program, where a select few will be paired up with some of our sponsors! For information, jump on www.unswbsoc. com. Applications are due April 27th.

applications open. Investment banks have their applications open now. For information more specific to the firm you’re interested in, go to their website for application opening and closing dates. Internship opportunities are also occasionally posted on UNSW Careers and Employment website throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for those.

Be sure to look out for our Internships Luncheon in Semester 2!

Why should I apply?

Internships and Vacationer Programs What is an internship? A short-term program usually run over summer for penultimate year students to gain practical experience relating to their major. Some firms also call this their “Vacation Program”. Who should apply? Penultimate year students; second year students for a single Commerce degree. When do applications open? Applications are open throughout the year, depending on your area of interest. Accounting applications have largely closed as of the end of March, however some mid-tier firms may still have their

You get experience. You get paid. And if they are impressed with your work, they’ll offer you a graduate job (even if you have a year to go, before you finish your degree). What more could you ask for? “ARGH I don’t know what to do about my CV, my application, or interview! HELP!” Apply for BSOC’s Business Buzz for a quick fix or BSOC’s Industry Mentoring Program to ask experienced professionals working in the area related to your major all your questions! Business will run for one night, and the Industry Mentoring Program will run for 6 weeks, however both have an application and interview process. Applications for these close April 27th! UNSW Careers and Employment also hold interview and CV workshops throughout the year, so check out their website for those dates. In the meantime, keep your eyes on this corner for more updates on Careers events to get you started on YOUR future.

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 16

Events in Careers Business Buzz An exclusive evening of one to one conversations, informed advice, and lively networking. Have you thought about your future career? Would you like the opportunity to talk to a variety of business professionals who have all been where you are now? A select group of UNSW business graduates are willing to spend an evening sharing their knowledge and experience of the business world with you. Be part of this fun event which will involve speed networking with a careers twist. Alumni of the Australian School of Business and second year undergraduate business students will gather for drinks and facilitated networking. The networking will be speedy; you’ll meet multiple contacts in an hour. Then there’ll be general mixed networking, giving you the opportunity to follow up on a particularly interesting conversation, or introduce yourself to someone you haven’t yet talked to. Where your degree can take you.

Industry Mentoring Program Thinking about what to do with your degree? How to get your first big job interview? Wouldn’t it be great if you could ask someone who already works in the industry all your questions? The Industry Mentoring Program is a 6-week program, running from early July to late August, where you can find the answers to all your career-related questions. It’s up to you and your mentor, whether you do this over coffee, lunch, dinner, and/or email. And handbook with key topics to cover will be provided, but it’s up to you and your mentor for which areas you’d like to focus more on. How do I apply? For both Business Buzz and the Industry Mentoring Program, head to www.unswbsoc.com for the application form.

BSXC Ticket Winner! Congratulations to Vicky Hoang, who was the lucky winner of 2 free tickets to the BSXC Dance Party at Home Nightclub. Vicky was randomly chosen from all those who completed a Careers Student survey back at the beginning of semester. Congratulation Vicky, and good luck choosing which friend to take with you!

We thank the Alumni and Community partnerships team of the ASB, especially Kellie Miles, for making Business Buzz possible and having a key interest to your future. Alumni ranged from CEO’s to directors, from construction to consulting. We would like to extend our gratitude to those who attended. We hope they gained as much out of Business Buzz as we did. Aswin Andrison Greg Cassis Andrea Farrell Tom Gleeson Margaret Hudson Ada Ip John Keegan Lauri Martin Jacalyn McGuinness Katie Megna Steven Mong Pamela Russell Kirsty Shaw Arhani Sont Lokesh Varma Chierk Wang Jessica Wong Andrew Chou Luisa Tan Andrew Roberts

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 17

Interview with Australian Idols Joseph Gatehau By Allina Yang Remember Joseph Gatehau from Australian Idol Season 4 in 2006 singing along with Jessica Mauboy? The singer and self-taught guitarist talks to us about his journey since Idol, the music industry and his childhood obsession. Can you tell us a bit about your journey so far since Idol? Ever since Idol, I have had a lot of opportunities come my way. It has opened up a lot of doors for me: recording and releasing my first single, shooting my first film clip, working with a lot of different musicians and also, to this day, being able to perform each and every week at various events and venues. The journey has led me to many projects including a boy group I have been working with for over 6 months...but that’s all hush hush at the moment. What was being on Idol and national television like and what was the most important thing you learnt from it? It was so surreal.... very scary but exciting at the same time. To be in front of millions of people, you always doubted yourself and your abilities. This taught me to always be myself and to believe in myself, to be confident and to never give up. How does one break into the highly competitive music industry? How important is networking? You have to have the whole package: voice, moves, confidence, skills and that something...what do they call it? The ‘X Factor’. You have to stand out and be different because

this industry is so competitive. It’s being different that makes the difference. Networking is the key in this industry. Australia is such a small country that there isn’t a lot of opportunity to excel in this industry so it’s who you know that makes the difference. Networking could open the door you have been looking for. We heard you’re a uni student like us! How do you juggle university studies and your music career? Let’s just say there is a lot of planning ahead! At the moment uni is my second priority and I do it part-time. I work a lot of my music around my uni timetable and if it clashes, my music always comes first. My lecturers know about my career and we have come to a special agreement. :) I encourage anyone in this industry to have a back-up plan. It’s very unpredictable because one month, you could have all the work you need and the next month, nothing at all. You need to be prepared. Do you have any advice for any of our UNSW Business Society students who aspire to be musicians like you? Don’t wait too long to follow your dreams. Start now while you’re still young because it’s a hard and long road ahead and sometimes might take years to get noticed, to push head of the industry line and reach that goal. If you have been given a gift, use it and don’t be afraid. Work hard and don’t give up when the going gets tough. Good luck! Now for a lighter question, what was one of your obsessions as a kid? MICHAEL JACKSON (and still is).... I would watch him everyday, my parents bought me every CD and concert video and I would teach myself to dance and sing like him. My first performance was when I was 6 - a Michael Jackson dance to Billy Jean. RIP MJ. For more info on Joseph and his music including his songs So Ordinary and Move On, visit: www.myspace.com/josephgatehau www.facebook.com/josephgatehau www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 18

Insights from a Summer Intern at the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism

She

ena

Experience a career where you can undertake dynamic, meaningful and challenging work whilst maintaining a work/life balance. Get an opportunity to work on real projects and timely issues such as resource management, environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Explore a different environment and make new friends. Sheenae Le Cornu got the lowdown from Rebecca Khunnithi, a final year Commerce/Arts student and summer intern at the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET) in Canberra. Describe the application process for the internship. Do you have any tips for potential vacationers? I emailed my cover letter, resume and academic transcript to recruitment@ret. gov.au. I was contacted by a DRET human resources representative to undertake a behavioural-based phone interview. As part of the selection process, I underwent a security clearance which required a reference and medical check. Tailor your cover letter to show genuine interest in working for the specific department. It is a good idea to highlight any volunteer work and community service. You need excellent oral and written communication skills to liaise with colleagues and other departments, extract information from a wide variety of sources, and summarise findings in a succinct manner. Please give a brief description of your internship at DRET.

I was placed in the Tourism Division of DRET, specifically in the Industry Development group. I worked with two analysts and one manager in a team called Industry Programs. During the internship, I was primarily involved in researching and writing reports for ministerial briefings regarding a prospective cycle tourism project. I researched cycle tourism through different websites, publications and reports. I analysed data for trend and cost analysis. I liaised with representatives from my department and different tourism offices to ensure accuracy of information. I worked on an environmental tourism audit. I attended team, division and department meetings. My training was primarily on-the-job learning. A friendly team and approachable colleagues supported me. I received timely and constructive feedback for my work so I could continuously improve. What did you find most rewarding and challenging about the experience? The most rewarding aspects of the internship were the opportunities to work on real projects and interesting assignments. I cannot recall doing neither a single coffee run nor stretches of photocopying. My most challenging experience was probably the first couple of weeks where I was initially finding my feet in the department, particularly the learning curve in getting my head around Slipstream, ministerial briefings and correspondence computer program. How was life in Canberra? How was the culture and working environment at DRET? Canberra has a more relaxed pace than Sydney does. There were plenty to explore whether visiting tourist sites, galleries and museums, boutique shops and gourmet ca-

orn

fes. People are so friendly. I think Canberra would easily win the award for the “friendliest city”. DRET places a great emphasis on work/ life balance. There is a flexi-time policy where employees who work more than 7.5 hours can use these hours to accumulate overtime and be allocated to take a day off during the year. DRET provides a friendly working environment with plenty of social and networking opportunities. There is a bar in the DRET building with a lovely view of Canberra. In Tourism Division, groups take turns in hosting morning tea on Fridays. My highlight was chocolate mousse in champagne glasses. There is also a social club where staff can participate in inter-division sporting events. During the internship period, there were team, division and department Christmas parties. I enjoyed the department’s dress up party with the theme: your favourite generation. Do you have any advice to potential vacationers/graduates seeking a career in the public service? - Don’t be afraid to ask questions - Keep an open mind - Be willing to learn new things

Who can apply? DRET internships are open to students from all disciplines. The department seeks to align your area of study to a relevant position whether in economics, accounting, law or humanities.

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 19

REVIEWS & Thoughts ALBUM Cassette Kids - Nothing On TV

Random Thoughts

If the album was an era it would be: Very Modern. Sounds like: Someone took the garage rock influences of younger days and dirtied it up with some electronic funk and jam. Klaxons - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. BThe Cassette Kids’ first album unfortunately sounds a lot like a debut album. There is a lot of potential to be found in the album, yet the flipside is that like the band’s sound, you can sometimes get lost in the fuzz rather than experiencing harmonious splendour. The band sounds most comfortable on tracks like You Shot Me when they’re focusing on blaring guitar riffs and heavy, stinging bass like a garage rock band; at times the techno influences seem to be a distraction rather than an addition. Overall though this band plays a sound for those with young tapping feet and bobbing heads. It doesn’t have the depth and technical proficiency of bands like The Strokes or Passion Pit that make it great solo listening, but the driving beats and ear-friendly vocals make it perfectly suited for crammed hip bars and clubs across Australia.

ANDREW LIM

EUGENE KWEK

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Going on exchange sounds like LOADS of fun. Lesson is to get good marks so that the university lets you go (I wish someone had told me this earlier as an incentive to study). “The sun shines on the evil and shines on the good. The skies rain on the just and the unjust.” The Facebook group that states “NO ONE TOLD ME UNI IS TWO HSCS IN A YEAR!!!” is dead right and for engineering students, multiply the number of HSCs by 1000. The television series Flash Forward is even more exciting than the book of the same name (with respect to other terrible film/tv adaptations). Mahjong is fun. You need to find internships/vacation work to get the really cool jobs. Start applying now. KPI’s are not so fun. Calvin Harris and Muse are awesome live. Federer is the best player of all time. Period. Remember to take time to take snapshots of your life and reflect on the good times. “Don’t waste time or time will waste you” “…one pair of heels now will stand us in more stead than two pairs of hands” Apparently all you need to escape handcuffs is to break the bone in your thumb. Kids don’t try this at home (or anywhere else for that matter). The protagonist of The Three Musketeers is neither of the three musketeers If you’ve read everything I have written then you must undoubtedly be in colloquial language, cool. www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 21

BY JENNIFER MONG

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Last Words. Living La Vida Loca By Caroline McLaren

Some things in life are just too good to pass up – and exchange is definitely one of them! When deciding to go on exchange to Spain, I figured it’d be a good chance to improve my Spanish, live in a different country, and add something nice to the CV. Little did I know that there was a world of student exchange - of experiences, fiestas and friendships - waiting to be discovered. Regardless of where you end up, you’re likely to find a lifestyle that would make any run-of-the-mill uni student jealous. International student parties, sampling all sorts of local delicacies and traipsing about Europe on weekends away are just some of the fringe benefits of being an exchange student. Undoubtedly, there are challenges. Ad-

justing to a bizarre world where everything is conducted in a language you thought was limited to your high school classroom can be tricky. Then there’s the culture. Adapting to nights out that last longer than an usual working day is just downright gruelling. But you get used to it – and actually come to thrive on it. I often hear people say that they’d love to, but can’t because of money or friends. True - it’s a lot of work to save up money for exchange, but that will be money wellspent! (There are also heaps of opportunities to make a buck or two by teaching English.) And believe it or not, friends will be there when you get back. These days there are way too many programs that claim to be good for your

“personal development”. Exchange is the ultimate “personal development” challenge - catching a plane to the other side of the world, finding a place where your housemates seem relatively sane, going to classes which leave you pondering what the professor was actually on about, figuring out where to get a haircut that doesn’t make you look like catwoman – it’s daunting stuff. But you make some amazing friends along the way who help you out. And suddenly you find yourself at the other end looking back on it all – the travelling, fiestas, gastronomic delights, bizarre episodes of culture shock – and can’t help but be proud of what you’ve done and feel ready to take on anything!

A Bad Decision: A new pair of Manolos or a new man By Amy Wong Do you remember feeling that thrill and exquisite joy at the beginning of a relationship? No matter if it’s a new guy or a new pair of Manolos, the ‘encounter’ is always unforgettably good. In that moment the two of you meet, there is an instant spark; an electric connection and exchange of feelings - a connection so blatantly obvious that salespeople now wear knowing smiles on their faces; so profound that you allow your mind to drift off with all the possibilities. You fantasize about moments of the two of you being together: strolling down the street in your the latest Manolo heels with pink suede straps which make you feel impossibly tall and sexy; staring into the emerald eyes of your handsome date as you bond over a cup of strawberry gelato. Both scenarios appear to attract a delicious amount of attention from jealous girls around you. All your problems seem petty or non-existing if you just take that leap… Then you turn the shoes around and see the price tag. ‘Oh boy!’ You stammer at the price you’ve got to pay to feel perfect and unique. Worse still, you realise all the trouble and effort you’ll have to go to for a first date, all the time with your girlfriends you’ve forgone, all the hours of self-doubt and harsh judgments in front of your mirror - not to forget all the extensive research on Facebook and Twitter. After all, you need good material for dinner conversations. But you decide that it is all going to be

okay. So what if you only have bread to eat for the rest of the month? So what if his favourite band is ACDC? And so what if that picture of him with his slender, leggy exgirlfriend is still in his profile picture album. ‘It’s all going to work out’, you persuade yourself as you swipe your Visa card or push open the glass door to the fancy restaurant. And why shouldn’t it work out? The happiness and confidence this recent ‘investment’ has offered you is exactly how you pictured it, if not better! Sure enough, eyeballs drop as pedestrians walk past (to check out that swanky piece of art wrapped around your ankles). And hours of deep and meaningful conversations with your new (yes, you can finally say it!) BOYFRIEND is so good that it occupies every bit of your time. You simply cannot think of or do anything else. You ask yourself how is it that you could have lived all your life without this person (or this pair of heels). Your life has not been complete until today. Then the first blister or first fight comes along. Okay, so this is maybe not as wonderful as you had hoped, but you have made it this far, so might as well stick around and see what happens. But the credit card bill and his horrible taste in music is not going anywhere. Also, the pain in your feet or your hurt feelings is getting unbearable. So, you shamefully kiss your Manolos goodbye and bury it deep inside your closet with its receipt, or start making up poor excuses to go back to your

own apartment and avoid numerous angry text messages. Are you starting to see the pattern here? In life, we are drowning in promising prospects. But the truth is, when you unveil their pretty masks, there is always an ugly price tag staring at you. This is what we call a bad decision. I used to think that whenever I was given two (or more) options, I would always pick the one that turns out to be the worse alternative. I’d choose higher level chemistry over environmental studies (and I ended up failing miserably), and buy an outrageous Dior ‘Rock Star’ purse (which is now buried deep in my closet with obvious stains on it) rather than sticking to an elegant LV monogram. But as more bad decisions have passed, I have learnt to forgive myself and instead, count on people who have never failed me regardless of the decision I’ve made. Then I realize that every bad decision I’ve made in the past has allowed me to understand my limits and shortcomings and has brought me closer to the choices that I am more comfortable with making now. So whether it be a pair of overpriced designer shoes or a new man in your life, do not be afraid to choose. And if you do happen to make a bad decision, there are always people who love you and who will help you bounce back. Then when the time comes for you to make a choice, you will trust yourself to be a little wiser.

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 25

Last Words.

Sleep Debt 101 EUGENE SIU

Good ol’ Wiki states: ‘Sleep is a naturally recurring state of relatively suspended sensory and motor activity, characterized by total or partial unconsciousness and the inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles.’ Funny thing our bodies are. Don’t sleep enough and you get tired the next day. Sleep too much and you feel equally shat the next day. Most of us will agree with me on the 4 – 8.5 hour threshold. Sleep X amount of hours between 4 and 8.5 hours, you wake up with somewhat of a lack-ofsleep hangover. Sleep more than 11 hours and you wake feeling the same lethargic, no-energy feeling. I woke up today on the back of 7 or so hours of sleep. Felt like shat getting up but here I am wasting valuable naptime on the train, documenting the happenings of my surprisingly awake consciousness. You may think then I had caffeine overload this morning. No. I have one coffee a morning to help my digestion and that’s all. I tend to stay away from too much caffeine. The appeal of energy drinks wears off when you see the hole they burn into your pockets and the fact they make you pee too much. How about Berocca? I admit that zingy tang has appeal in the morning (except when you have a hangover – worst thing to consume post big night out – learnt this from my yr 12 English teacher.) until you need to pee this mysteriously large amount of vitamin B that resembles peeing like Shrek that is red/orange/yellow depending on which flavour you have. Not enough sleep makes you fat. Too much sleep makes you fat. Not enough sleep makes you grumpy. Too much sleep makes you grumpy. Not enough sleep kills

you and too much can do the same. Looks like there is a MacDur (yes H. Yip has influenced me) for sleep.

This blog is procrastination on my part. I am quite guilty of such things I have mentioned above.

“Studies show that “sleeping more than 7 to 8 hours per day has been consistently associated with increased mortality,” though this study suggests the cause is probably other factors such as depression and socioeconomic status, which would correlate statistically.”

What’s up with our generation of being epic time-wasters? Leaving things to the last minute rather than miss out on commenting on a new photo album on FB. I’m quite well-behaved in that I get my homework and readings done plus notes each week, so I should be grateful?

However sleep deprivation does have some interesting characteristics such as that drive (similar to the drunken one) to get home and sleep. I’d say this is the main cause of me exceeding the speed limit whilst driving when getting back from work late at night/early in the morning. My bed beckons like how my dog, April, sits at your feet wanting your attention.

With all the studying, partying and classes, sleep deprivation and university students (that’s you and I) go hand in hand. Most of us NEED the six to eight hours of sleep each night to function properly. Sleeping pills can promote sleep for a few nights but can trigger sleep deprivation in the long term because you can develop a tolerance for them.

This, of course, is how many people die. I’d say this should be the main cause of P-Plater deaths as most of us are sleepdeprived students working odd hours that fit around our timetable. Not peer pressure or alcohol or seatbelts. But sleep. Or lack thereof. Did you know 90% of the time when we have munchies late at night can be solved by drinking water? So stop eating that late and go to sleep. Your body will love you for it. This moves me onto how you try to sleep early but you just lie there awake for who knows how long. Supposedly as teens and young adults we lack this hormone (Melatonin) which helps our body get to sleep. Or just because we spend too many nights sitting there on our computer waiting eagerly for the next FB notification, the next MSN conversation, the next CTF game on COD, the next quest on Aion, or (least likely) the next paragraph to be written in our assignment. Procrastination = lack of sleep.

I say exercise. Exercise can help establish healthy sleeping patterns and will make it easier to fall asleep at the end of the day. However, don’t go running a mile before bedtime, as exercise stimulates the body and will make falling asleep more difficult for a while. At least 3 hours before sleeping is good. Naps can be helpful, but if done properly. People in white lab coats suggest napping only once a day in the early afternoon and for no more than 20 or 30 minutes. Taking long naps will make you lie in bed at night trying to sleep for hours. Again that group of white lab coats (sounds like a cult) recommend setting aside at least a few days per week for a full night’s sleep. While you should try sleep and wake the same time every day in order to maintain a healthy sleep schedule, getting eight hours one or two days each week will help prevent long-term health issues. Anyway, I’m off to stop accumulating anymore sleep debt.

www.unswbsoc.com | Comunieco: Internships 26

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