Banking breakthrough for ambitious graduate
View(s):
In an increasingly competitive job market, having a world-recognised degree from a respected university enables young graduates to stand out from the crowd on the race for employment.
Sri Lankan graduates have been able to gain the knowledge and expertise required to stand out in a competitive job market at the University of Melbourne. As Australia’s number one university they are ranked number 31 in the world by the Times Higher World Education Rankings 2021,
Isuri Munasinghe, Assistant Vice President – Research at Asia Securities, set her sights on the University of Melbourne, to support her career ambitions. The University’s international reputation, robust industry connections and exceptional teaching quality were the top factors influencing Isuri’s decision.
“Before applying to the University of Melbourne, I made sure to conduct thorough research of my study options and even spoke with alumni of the University. It became clear to me that compared to other universities, the University had lecturers with strong industry experience and expertise – knowledge that adds significant value to the learning experience,” says Isuri.
It’s the extensive real-world knowledge and expertise of herlecturers that continues to provide Isuri with valuable insights in her career today, “I completed my major in economics soon after the global financial crisis. The crisis became the focus of many of my economics lectures, where lecturers often placed an emphasis on analysing and debating the causes that led to the crisis. This made for an incredible learning experience, one I still draw from today.”
Being ranked number 7* in the world for graduate employability is a point of pride for the University. The Melbourne curriculum offers a unique approach to undergraduate learning that encourages students to explore both their chosen major,while also building skills and knowledge in their broader interest areas. With more than 100 areas of study to choose from, students are able to deep dive into marketing, pursue a language or instrument without sacrificing their major. This curriculum encourages curiosity and strengthens integral soft skills such as problem solving, teamwork and management.
Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance) graduate, Isuri, credits the Melbourne Curriculumwith her diverse career opportunities, “The emphasis placed on gaining breadth and depth of knowledge before choosing a professional skill helped me build a strong and broad foundation that opened many career avenues.”
“I found the coursework to be thorough, rigorous, demanding and spoke for the quality and depth of knowledge employers expect from a University of Melbourne graduate,” says Isuri.
Today, Isuri is employed by Sri Lanka’s leading independent wealth management and investment banking firm, Asia Securities. Positive employment outcomes like Isuri’s, are common for graduates, with 80% of Bachelor of Commerce graduates employed within the first four months of graduating (according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018).
eyond the classroom, the University offers many opportunities to apply technical knowledge and build soft skills via internships, student societies and volunteering. Isuri attributes her well-rounded university experience with her ability to stand out when presenting to potential employers, “Gaining wellrounded experience that combines academics with extracurricular activities at the University was essential, to stand out in the employment world and for my career development in the long run,” says Isuri.
Isuri’s achievements and experience at Melbourne continue to reward her, “Studying at the University of Melbourne is a significant investment from which you’ll reap benefits for a long period into your career.”
The University welcomes international students from more than 130 countries each year. Learn more about studying with the University of Melbourne at: Your Future In Focus, a series of undergraduate and graduate webinars on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February 2021. Register today: http://go.unimelb.edu.au/7zii. Applications now open for July, 2021 (Semester 2). For enrolments and more information please contact: Edlocate (Pvt) Ltd – 0771 770361
QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2021