Alexander Heath

What advice would you give to students who are unsure about choosing the right degree for their interests and career aspirations?

The biggest piece of advice I have is to remember that there’s no pressure to decide immediately! Take the time to reflect on your interests, strengths, values, and long-term career goals to inform your decision.  I took a gap year straight after school before starting a Commerce degree, which was admittedly an impulsive, ill-informed decision and this showed in the fact that I ended up lasting just 3 weeks in this degree.  It took a whole additional year (effectively an unplanned second gap year) to realise that City Planning was where my interest was, and this is ultimately the degree I ended up pursuing.  Sure, some of my friends finished University earlier than I did, but I also know people that stuck with their impulsive decisions and completed a 3–4-year degree before realising that it did not align with their passions and aspirations. 

In other words, you’re much better off taking some extra time to ensure you ‘get it right’ the first time rather than jumping into something you’re unsure of and having regrets later on. 

What unexpected skills did you gain from your degree that you have taken into your current role and why has it been so valuable?

My time at UNSW allowed me to gain several unexpected skills that have proven invaluable in my current role, these include:

Time Management and Organisational Skills: Balancing my study workload and assignments alongside the general activities of life as a young adult helped me hone my time management and organisational skills. Something that is essential in my current role in managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and prioritising tasks efficiently.

Adaptability and Resilience: It will perhaps sound cliché but going through a large portion of my degree during the height of COVID-19 definitely created resilience that has been carried forward into my current role.  Apart from learning the obvious skills that are now workplace norms such as navigating Microsoft Teams and managing remote working arrangements, I unexpectedly learnt how to ‘think on my feet’ and adapt to new situations, learning how to respond when things don’t quite go according to plan.

What extracurricular activities, work integrated learning programs or other opportunities helped you develop personally and professionally and how did you manage to balance them with your studies?

The most significant program that helped me personally and professionally is the mandatory 12-month work placement as part of the City Planning degree.  This is a hugely significant program which is not only unique to this degree but to UNSW itself. 

Being able to gain first-hand industry experience for such an extended period whilst still mid-way through my degree was an incredible opportunity that enabled me to connect theory and practice, apply my learnings to the real world and in a broader sense, gain exposure to the professional and industry landscape.  It was particularly helpful that the full-time study load was decreased significantly during the placement year, being limited only to a handful of professional development subjects, which enabled me to dedicate my time to my work placement and extract everything out of it that I could.  It was so successful in fact, that I am still employed by the same company three and a half years later.

Additionally, during my university studies I also played sports externally which assisted with developing a teamwork mentality, something that I have carried over into the professional world.

Overall, actively participating in extracurricular activities and work-integrated learning programs not only enriched my university experience but also equipped me with essential skills and experiences that have been invaluable in both my personal and professional life. Balancing these activities with my studies required careful planning, prioritisation, and effective time management, but the rewards in terms of personal growth and career preparation were well worth the effort.

What role have the friendships and networks you made throughout your studies at UNSW played in your personal and professional life?

The friendships and networks formed during my studies at UNSW have played a significant role in both my personal and professional life. In the professional sense, having a personal relationship with people in the industry is immensely valuable.  I am still in regular contact with numerous people I studied with in both a personal and professional capacity (sometimes both!) and I am incredibly happy that I have these lasting friendships from university.  Some of the key benefits I have experienced include:

Professional Opportunities: Networking with classmates has opened doors to various professional opportunities. Through these connections, I've learned about new job openings, professional development seminars/courses, and gained career advice that has been crucial in shaping my professional path.  On top of this, it's also fun to bounce technical work-related questions off friends to help my understanding of things, makes for some interesting conversations.

Long-lasting Friendships: Many of my friendships formed at UNSW have continued long beyond graduation, and I still catch up with these people on a regular basis.  We all look back on our time at UNSW very fondly and cherish the memories we made together.

Overall, the friendships and networks cultivated during my time at UNSW have been instrumental in shaping my personal growth and providing professional opportunities.

"The most significant program that helped me personally and professionally is the mandatory 12-month work placement as part of the City Planning degree.  This is a hugely significant program which is not only unique to this degree but to UNSW itself... It was so successful in fact, that I am still employed by the same company three and a half years later."