Anna ValleroBachelor of ArchitectureGold Coast, QLDWhat is your ultimate ambition in life? I’d like to set up my own architecture firm specialising in sustainable holiday homes. Naturally, the head office would be in a beautiful holiday destination! How are Bond’s world-class professors helping you get there? My sister and brother went to Bond so I know how helpful their professors were when it came to them getting jobs. The lecturers in the School of Sustainable Development have worked in or are still consulting to major companies in the industry and they are really happy to use their contacts to help you get work placements and internships. It helps that they know all their students personally because the classes are so small. A lot of industry people also come to the campus to check out the School of Sustainable Development building – it was the first educational building in Australia to be given a 6 Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia and it includes a Living Laboratory with displays and touchscreens showing the sustainable development design elements that have been used. Being given the chance to meet people like that while you’re still studying really helps when it comes to finding the right job. How is the international network of contacts you’re gaining at Bond helping bring your ambition to life? The Faculty has developed a partnership between the School of Architecture and the Pratt Institute in New York. It’s the first time Pratt has worked with any Australian architecture school, so it’s amazing that Bond has these kind of connections. We also had a guest presentation recently from an alumnus who has a property development empire throughout India. It was fantastic to hear how past students are really making it in their careers, and for us to be able to make those kind of contacts while we’re still studying. You will meet heaps of people if you get involved with the social side of campus life. I’ve made friends from all over Australia and a few international students just getting involved with things like netball or going to the barbeques they have at the lake every Wednesday. Plus, there’s always the opportunity to do an international exchange, like the Dubai Study Tour or the World Study Tour to Asia, Europe and the USA. Those friendships and contacts will be really helpful if I want to work overseas at some stage.
|
