From Gateway to Graduate: Peter Dao’s journey to university and a career in business.
Embracing your UNIqueness: a student article series
Embracing your UNIqueness: a student article series
UNSW and UNSW Business School is committed to student equity, and we want to ensure that as many young people as possible can access and succeed in higher education. The UNSW Gateway Program supports students who are traditionally underrepresented from yeas 10 – 12 on their journey to university.
Peter Dao, Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in Human Resources Management, is one such student who applied to UNSW through the Gateway Admission Pathway and the UNSW Business School EDI team is humbled to share his incredible journey with you.
In the summer of 2021, in the middle of COVID-19 lockdown, I had just finished my final HSC exam at Bonnyrigg High School.
Leaving the exam hall that day, I was overwhelmed with fear— questioning if my efforts were enough for a place at university like UNSW Sydney. I doubted myself and was unsure if I could compete against students from Sydney’s affluent areas and top schools, and terrified of what my future would look like.
Then on my way home I thought, even if I did make it to university, how would I afford it? Should I pick up more shifts at work? Would the almost two-hour commute be worth it? What about somewhere closer to home? How would someone like me — speaking predominantly Vietnamese at home and from one of Sydney’s most disadvantaged suburbs in the south-west — belong in a place so big, fancy and far away, anyway?
But all of those doubts went away when I received my letter of acceptance from UNSW Business School to join their Bachelor of Commerce degree, starting in 2022.
Now, fast-forward 4 years later, after a transformative journey that built both my confidence and resilience, I have graduated from Australia’s top business school, and ready to launch my career in business and human resource management.
What once felt like a distant dream, surrounded by obstacles, is now becoming a reality — thanks to the unwavering support of an incredible community along the way.
To help others who may be in my shoes and feeling doubt as to where or not they can attend UNSW or any other university, I have created a Q&A questionnaire to help answer some of your most burning questions.
The UNSW Gateway Program provided me with invaluable resources during my senior years of high school, particularly in helping me craft a personal statement that ultimately secured my early conditional offer for the Bachelor of Commerce. This conditional offer significantly lowered the ATAR I needed and provided relief in unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.
Even before starting my studies at UNSW Business School, initiatives such as Start@UNSW paired me with a senior-student mentor who answered all my questions and helped ease my transition from high school to university with check-in calls and catch ups throughout my first year. Additionally, the UNSW CO-NNECTIONS program gave me an opportunity to meet other Gateway students whilst connecting me to global organisations, networking events and career development programs.
Throughout my university journey, I have also been fortunate to receive equity scholarships and grants that have provided crucial financial support as a student admitted through the Gateway pathway. This assistance covered living costs, work and global learning experiences, university fees and supplies that would have otherwise prevented me from accessing university altogether.
As a business school student, I had access to an exceptional range of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities which allowed me to build confidence, develop professional acumen and explore the impact I wanted to make in the business world.
These experiences have enabled me to collaborate with leaders from global organisations like Nestle Nespresso, where I interned in their Australian HR team and gained valuable exposure to the recruitment and people performance management functions of the business.
My elective studies in practical negotiation, strategic HR management, and employment law have also supported my success in HR roles at McDonald’s Australia headquarters and EY, equipping me with valuable skills and real-world experience before graduating. These opportunities have not only enhanced my knowledge but also helped solidify my career aspirations in HR, build a network of incredible industry professionals and contributed to my personal growth.
My short course exchange program in South Korea has to be the top highlight of my university experience. As part of the Global Business Practicum (COMM3020) course, I spent three weeks working as part of a student consulting group for an international client while savouring every bite of local food, marvelling at cultural sites like the DMZ, and taking in the breathtaking views of Seoul.
As a 2024 UNSW New Colombo Plan Ambassador, I also received a grant of $3,000 which helped cover the living and travel costs of the program. Truly, the professional development, friendship and memories I made from my time in Seoul is something I will cherish and take with me forever!
I became a University Ambassador to give back to the community that supported me throughout my university journey. I wanted to show students from backgrounds like mine that they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their goals.
As an ambassador, I had the privilege of kickstarting the 2024 Year 11 Gateway On-Campus program where I stood in front of over 500 high school students and shared my story as a first-generation, Vietnamese Australian navigating my final year at university. From nods of understanding to curious questions afterwards, I could see my story resonated with many of them. That moment reaffirmed for me the power of representation and the importance of inspiring others to believe in their potential, no matter the barriers they face.
My advice to anyone embarking on a similar path, or those who might resonate with any part of my journey, is to remember that where you live or where you are from does not define your potential.
With hard work, determination, and the right support, you can overcome challenges and achieve whatever you set your mind to.
What could you do specifically? Attend career fairs, contact support agencies, visit UNSW Open Day and speak to a Gateway Ambassador or reach out to students or professionals in the fields you are interested in to understand their work and how they got to where they are today!
Your journey is uniquely yours, and it has the power to lead you to remarkable places. I am beyond grateful that mine brought me to UNSW Business School where I truly felt like I belonged — now and forever as newly graduated business school alumni.
And remember to just go for it!
UNSW Gateway supports students who are underrepresented in higher education. The initiative is made up of two parts: the Gateway Admission Pathway and the Gateway Program. Both are designed to maximise your post-high school success and help you get into your dream degree at UNSW.