Social ‘job network’ for UNSW Business School

UNSW Business School Career Accelerator is a newly launched online platform which connects current business students with graduates from all over the world. It gives students the opportunity to have 30 minute ‘career conversations’ with graduates, providing the opportunity to make valuable business connections and learn about the workplace they’ll join after university. 

A trial earlier this year using 2nd year management accounting students and alumni working in an accounting-related field was a success, and now Career Accelerator is available to all Business School students - a potential network of 14,500 students and more than 75,000 alumni.

Sally Yu is a second year Bachelor of Commerce student who was part of the trial, and who is now weighing up a career in consulting or investment banking. The Accounting and Finance major has been using the UNSW Business School Career Accelerator platform to talk to graduates working in both fields while getting insider knowledge into what her future career might look like.

“The experience has been extremely positive and beneficial”, says Sally. “Alumni I’ve spoken to have all been candid about their own personal career journeys. We’ve had deep and honest conversations that went beyond the surface. They really got me thinking about my future and what I’m looking for in my career.”

Students will be able to data match their own interests to those of alumni advisors, who can help them prepare for interviews, draft a resume and give them key insights into the rapidly changing professional job market. Alumni can sign in via LinkedIn and give feedback using a rating system.

“Our alumni are a huge asset to the School. By harnessing the power of technology to tap into the resources of our alumni from organisations across the world, we open up enormous opportunities for students when they graduate,” said Business School Dean Professor Chris Styles. “UNSW alumni are eager to ‘give back’ and share their knowledge. And our alumni benefit by improving their coaching skills and connecting with current students.”

Career Accelerator​ can help Australian students find work overseas, and introduce international students to the job market in their home country (via UNSW alumni), before they finish their course.  Already, around 5000 Business School alumni are currently working in Hong Kong, Asia’s financial hub.

UNSW Business School Associate Dean Digital and Innovation Professor Nick Wailes said getting a job after university is a daunting experience. “The job market is very competitive with thousands of students applying for small numbers of graduate entry positions. Our alumni are working many high profile companies such as PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG and CBA. They can help our students to get a head start.”