Student Highlights
Work Integrated Learning prepares Charmaine for the next step in her career

After an extensive career within the banking and finance industry, Charmaine ventured into a new journey- studying a Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Global). The MBA (Global) sparked Charmaine’s interest in marketing, which then inspired a new career goal to start her own marketing agency with recognition under the Australian Marketing Institute.

“I aspire to utilise my gained knowledge and leverage on my previous experience to venture into my own marketing agency,” she said.

Completing a work integrated learning course as part of her MBA (Global), Charmaine had the opportunity to work within Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) Limited.

“I was given a marketing and communications intern role within the CCIC team where I was tasked with reviewing and providing sector analysis, identifying key contact points, and creating communication plans to engage with sector, government, and general community.

“Having the opportunity to learn from CCIC not only contributed to my love for the industry but also solidified that this was the career direction I wanted to take,” Charmaine said.

Whilst COVID impacted Charmaine’s placement experience, she was still able to gain skills and knowledge from these experiences which she believes will be of great aid in her career.

“This experience has significantly inspired me to continuously invest in programs and experiences within the marketing industry,” she says.

The opportunity to complete placement within the marketing industry after spending over five years in finance gave Charmaine the reassurance that she was heading in the right direction in her career.

“Switching to a different industry was a really big risk for me, especially amidst a pandemic.

“I was equipped with ample marketing and communication knowledge to fulfill my responsibilities in this placement. It was exhilarating to practice all these theories in reality,” she said. Charmaine believes completing work integrated learning has made her more confident in her existing skills within a new industry.

“I noticed how important it is to find the right balance between logic and creativity in marketing.

“The gained skills over the placement can only be acquired outside the classroom walls. Work placement has helped me in discovering new skills and leveraging on my existing experiences.”

Now working at a startup marketing agency, Charmaine’s advice to future students looking to undertake a work integrated learning course is to be “as open-minded as possible and fully allow yourself to immerse yourself in the opportunities available to you.”

“It is entirely up to you how much effort you put in to help yourself for an amazing employment journey ahead of you,” she said.

`

Charmaine Edirisinghe

After an extensive career within the banking and finance industry, Charmaine ventured into a new journey- studying a Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Global).

I was able to get valuable exposure not only within the classroom walls but also outside.