Meet Henry Carmody, Sydney CDB Campus, UOW Client Service Officer
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at the Sydney CBD Campus?
My name is Henry Carmody, and I’m a casual staff at the Sydney CBD Campus as part of the AskUOW team, where I help students with questions and assist with general campus administration. I also get to put my Excel and problem-solving skills to use behind the scenes to help keep things running smoothly.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
As I’m usually working in the evenings, I spend a lot of my time helping lecturers and tutors make sure Dual Delivery classes run smoothly. I also help students with questions, troubleshoot the occasional IT issue, and assist with anything that comes up during the evening. Every shift is a little different, which is one of the things I enjoy about the role.
How does your role support students at the campus?
A big part of my role is helping classes run smoothly, assisting with IT and administrative issues, and making sure students can get the help they need. I’m also involved with BIPMN, the Business International Peer Mentoring Network, which is a great way for new students to get their bearings at UOW Sydney. It gives students a chance to meet people, make friends and feel more comfortable on campus.
What are some of the most common questions or concerns students come to you with?
I get a huge range of questions, from helping students find their classrooms to giving them guidance about fees, enrolment and classes. Sometimes students just need to know who they should speak to about a particular issue, so I help point them in the right direction. I think being approachable is really important, even when the question seems like a small one.
What do you enjoy most about working with students at Sydney CBD Campus?
I think the best part of working at the Sydney CBD Campus is the people and the excellent working culture. Everyone on the AskUOW team is really lovely and supportive, which makes it a great environment to work in. I also enjoy meeting such a wide range of students and being able to make their university experience a little easier.
What is one service or resource available at the Sydney CBD Campus that you think more students should know about?
I think the library is a fantastic resource that students could make even more use of. Tony and Lauren are both great to work with, and it’s especially useful that students can borrow books from other UOW campuses as well. Whether you need a textbook, somewhere to study, or help finding academic resources, the library is a really valuable resource. We also have our Peer Academic Coach, Safiye, who students can chat with about things like time management, study planning and academic progress. She’s very friendly and approachable, and I think it’s a helpful service for students who need a bit of extra support or guidance with their studies.
What advice would you give to students who are new to the Sydney CBD Campus?
The best piece of advice I can give new international students is to sign up for BIPMN, the Business International Peer Mentoring Network. It’s a great way to get your bearings at UOW, meet other students and make friends, especially if you’re new to Sydney or university in general. I’d also encourage students not to be afraid to ask questions, because there are plenty of people around campus who are happy to help.
Finally, what is one piece of advice you would give students to help them make the most of their university experience?
My biggest piece of advice is to make the most of the events and opportunities available to you. Whether it’s something low-key like food and chats in the student lounge or something more exciting like a trip to Luna Park, the events team puts a lot of effort into giving students opportunities to get involved. University is about more than just classes and assignments, so getting out there, meeting people and enjoying yourself can really make the experience more rewarding.