July 20, 2018

Combining work with study a winning formula for Tom

UOW Management Cadet graduates with Bachelor of Commerce (Dean’s Scholar)

Thomas Farrar’s interest in business was sparked in a high school Business Studies class, so when it came to choosing a degree at university, commerce was at the top of the list.

But Tom wasn’t aware that he could combine his studies with real-world experience until he discovered the University of Wollongong’s Management Cadetship Program.

“I found out about the program from a careers counsellor only a week before applications closed,” Tom said.

“But I realized that it would be a great way to study but also get an insight into what it’s like to work at a university.”

Yesterday (Thursday 19 July), Thomas graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Dean’s Scholar) among the cohort from the Faculty of Business.

The UOW Management Cadetship Program runs across five years, with the aim of boosting a cadet’s employability and workplace experience.

Two students are accepted into the program each year. They juggle part-time work with part-time study, and spend time rotating through different units, before undertaking an 18-month placement in the department that best suits their interests and skills.

Tom spent time in departments throughout the University but said his favourite was being involved with the Strategic Marketing Communications Unit, which allowed him to work with internal and external clients and combine his business acumen with his creativity.

“It was an amazing experience, being part of the cadetship program. It was really rewarding and formative, because it gave me the chance to learn a lot about a broad range of areas, to meet lots of different people, and try lots of different things.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity.”

Tom, who is from Woonona, is planning on staying on at UOW, before seeing where his career path takes him.

“I’ve loved working at UOW, so I’m going to keep gaining more experience here and stay close to home for a couple of years.”