Student Highlights
Olivia’s iLEAD mentorship success

Bachelor of Development Studies student, Olivia Lewis Curnoe is taking part in the University of Newcastle’s iLEAD program.

Since 2009, the iLEAD program has supported outstanding students in developing the skills required to lead meaningful change.

Members of iLEAD progress through a specialised program that offers bespoke workshops, mentoring from leading alumni and the opportunity to lead and contribute to community projects that have impact.

Now in Stage 3 of the program, Olivia originally didn’t know much about it.

“I just saw that it was about leadership and at the time I wanted to be more involved with activities at university.

“I thought it would be a fun way to meet like-minded people and maybe become a better leader,” she said.

So far Olivia has learnt a lot about leadership.

“Being a leader isn’t about being a manager or being in a leadership position. It is about leading with your own values such as integrity, honesty, and respect.

“I have learnt a lot about networking and connecting with people in a professional environment,” she said.

Going in without expectations, Olivia is now hoping to get practical experience in leadership and gain professional contacts for her future career.

“Being part of iLEAD has given me the confidence in my skills and the practical experience in a professional environment to be able to network with the people working in my field.

Olivia’s first mentor, Emeka, helped her to build her confidence in applying for jobs and undertaking interviews.

“I found interviews very stressful but with his help and advice on how to answer job interview questions and feel more confident, I was able to successfully gain a role as an undergraduate strategic planner.

“Emeka gave me the confidence to continue applying and working towards my goal,” she said.

For Olivia, the mentorship portion of the program in Stages 2 and 3 has been priceless.

“It has been invaluable getting personalised advice and feeling like I have someone to talk to as I move into professional roles.

“The mentorship program has helped me better adapt to my undergraduate role in strategic planning as I am able to ask my mentor on advice and how to navigate new environments.

“iLEAD provides the practical experience needed to achieve your goals in your field of interest that learning in the classroom just can’t do by itself,” Olivia said.

Olivia’s current role is at a local council in the Planning and Environment Department within the Strategic Planning team.

“My work involves writing councillor briefings, community consultation on new developments, review of heritage listed sites and writing land use matrixes by looking at the land use zones.

“I do a lot of different things at the moment while I get a feel for the role but eventually, I will be looking at development proposals and whether they should be approved and the process of deciding the development control measures,” she said.

Olivia really likes her job and is grateful from the support of her team in sharing new skills.

She hopes to continue working in strategic planning and developing her skills in town planning, community consultation and heritage in a professional setting.

“This role confirms that I am on the right path and studying something I actually want to do as work into the future.

“The experience I have had with iLEAD and in the role is invaluable and I have learnt so much about how the industry functions.

“It has given me a head start on other peers in terms of work experience as I know what I want to do after my degree and I have the contacts to be able to do it,” Olivia said.

Olivia Lewis Curnoe

Bachelor of Development Studies student, Olivia Lewis Curnoe is taking part in the University of Newcastle’s iLEAD program