Making a positive first impression sits near the top of any to-do list when an opportunity with a potential employer presents itself.
First-year business student Michael Fairbairn is not one to let such an opportunity slip by and his efforts did not go unnoticed when a management team from the Star Entertainment Group met with Griffith University students on the Nathan campus.
The Star Entertainment Group is one of the groups behind Brisbane’s multi-billion Queen’s Wharf project which will incorporate five new hotels, an integrated resort including a casino and a link across the Brisbane River to South Bank.
Human Resources Queensland Manager, Leith Wiblen, emphasised to students the importance of setting a career journey during an inspirational address to about 100 students in the Red Zone, focusing on part-time employment, internships and volunteer roles.
A Griffith graduate, Leith recalled her own student days and how she would have grabbed the chance to do an internship as part of her business studies.
Then Michael Fairbairn (above), dressed smartly in suit and tie and standing to the side of the room, caught her eye. His attitude and approach to a networking event also involving Chief Operating Officer, Mark Mackay, and SEQ Recruitment Manager, Amanda Spencer, was both clear and commendable and Leith made an example of the 17-year-old.
“I’m studying business and I understand the importance of networking and its potential to improve my prospects,” Michael explained after the presentation ended.
Students of business management, accounting, hotel management, tourism, marketing, event management and human resources were among those who queued to speak individually with Mark, Leith (above) and Amanda afterwards to explore emerging opportunities at the Star Entertainment Group.
“It was a fantastic afternoon spent networking with career professionals, receiving opportunity and application advice directly from industry specialists,” said Marlee Ford (19) who is studying a double degree in Business Management and International Tourism and Hotel Management.
“I was completely inspired by the prospective career paths within the Star Entertainment Group and now have a solid idea of where to begin the journey towards my dream job.”
Samantha Johnston, who is studying the same double degree, majoring in marketing, described the event as informative and a great experience.
“It gave me an idea of what I can do in the future and what I am capable of doing in the future,” Samantha (18) said.
A second networking event takes place on the Gold Coast campus, also in the Red Zone, on Wednesday, April 27, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Anyone interested in attending a networking session can register here.
