Students from diverse degrees and backgrounds are recognising the employability benefits of the Queensland Government's Launch U Trade Accelerator Program – a launchpad to the global workplace.
While the program connects students with Queensland firms that have international expansion goals, it’s not only Business majors who want to put the experience on their resumes.
From Communications and International Relations to BioMedicine and Engineering, students from varied disciplines are signing on for the real-world experience.
Hazel Turner is studying a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Hazel was motivated to participate in the program to broaden her future employment prospects. She joined a student cohort tasked with finding and evaluating offshore business opportunities for commercial legal firm LAB Legal. The Brisbane-based company offers both traditional and virtual legal counselling services for company structures, strategic acquisitions and divestments, across the full length of a business’ life-cycle.
“I was looking to bridge the gap between university and the real world,” said Hazel.
“The opportunity to apply analytical problem-solving in a real-world business environment is something that I wouldn’t have had in my studies.”
Working within a cohort of diverse backgrounds also taught Hazel the importance of communication in teamwork.
“Within our cohort we had people that spoke different languages. Working collectively on different elements of the project really strengthens your communication skills.”
Paul Napier, General Counsel and Director at LAB Legal, briefed the student cohort on examining opportunities for the company in the North American market.
Paul Napier, General Counsel and Legal Director at LAB Legal, briefed the student cohort on examining opportunities for the company in the North American market.
“We offer a virtual legal service for US-based companies with a presence in Australia, or seeking to develop a presence here,” said Mr Napier.
“The US market is very complex: each state in the US has different market dynamics and opportunities.”
Mr Napier said he was surprised by the diversity of students that participated.
“I was expecting everyone to be Business undergrads, but that wasn’t the case.
“As an employer, it was beneficial to see how university-aged students approach contemporary problems. And it was quite refreshing to see how their different backgrounds and specialisations shaped their findings.”
Mr Napier said LAB Legal had already made some connections with government agencies identified with the student report as part of their strategy to further engage the US market.
“I think the Launch U Trade Accelerator program is a great way for students to experience some of the real-world challenges that they may not encounter in the lecture room.”
Enrolments are currently being take for the current Launch U Trade Accelerator Program. Find out more about the benefits for your employability, here.