In 2010, while still in the final year of her double degree in Commerce and International Business, Kate (pictured) was offered not one, but two graduate positions; at Westpac and Ernst & Young.

It was a difficult decision but Kate accepted Westpac and in just two weeks will begin an eight month graduate program in the Financial Markets division.

During this time Kate will have the opportunity to work in each of the Foreign Exchange, Commodities, Capital Markets and Treasury departments. She will then be able to choose the area in which she would most like to continue.

Far from daunted by her immediate success, Kate is confident her Griffith Business School studies have provided the skills she needs to make a successful transition from university to corporate life.

“Westpac also has a great training program for graduates, such as AFMA Accreditation and a Trading Simulation Course,” Kate said.

“I even have a mentor to help me settle in,” she said.

Westpac’s Financial Markets division has offices around the world, including New York and London, and this has not gone unnoticed by their newest recruit.

“I’d love the opportunity to work in one of their overseas offices one day,” Kate said.

Travel featured in Kate’s plans even while still studying at Griffith. She completed a student exchange to San Francisco, and that has fuelled her ambition to live and work overseas.

“I was able to take advantage of our fantastic exchange program to study at San Francisco State University for a semester,” Kate said.

“It was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” she said.

For now, Kate is preparing for big changes as her career takes flight.

“Apart from studying overseas, I have never lived away from home and I don’t have any family in Sydney, so it will be a life changing experience in more ways than one,” Kate said.

 

“I’m looking forward to growing up and becoming a young professional in an exciting new city,” she said.