What's your background?
I was born in Adelaide and have lived here my whole life. My dad comes from Vietnam and my Mum came from China. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. My entire family has gone to the same primary, and high schools, cousins included. School has always been a place where I would feel like I belonged because my family was always around me. Going to university was difficult as this changed. I joined groups and volunteered within the university to help me create a new family within the university. This lead me to an internship overseas in China for one month and a study trip with Engineers without Boarders to rural Cambodia. I then got into the work experience program at Nova Systems in my final year, which has led to my current job where I have been since the end of 2016. As soon as I could, I have been helping other people within the office with tasks and events to help build up my “family” while at work. Nova Systems is a consultancy, so we are often separated from the majority of the office as we work out on site with the customer, helping them solve problems. Being able to help plan events with the social committee lets the family come together again and brings me joy.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes. To be a consultant, you need to be good at communication, teamwork and organisation, something anyone can do. Most of the time, consultants are out of the main office and imbedded into another company to help them solve their problems. This means that you are communicating with your team out on site as well as your employers back in the main office. Since you are placed in a different work place, you need to be able to work with all kinds of different people. You are constantly meeting new people and organisation is important to keep on top of the tasks you need to complete for either company.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Working as a consultant allows you to use your skills in a number of areas. If you are good at doing your job, it can be adapted to any of the areas that the company works within such as satellites, oil and gas, transport and maritime. This means you get to do what you like, but you can apply it to something different if given the opportunity.
What are the limitations of your job?
Consultants have a lot of responsibility. You are representing your company within another environment trying to help out with a problem. The work you do not only impacts the company you are helping, but the outcome can affect how they view your company and whether they will come back and ask for help again.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...