Gateway to Greatness at the Australian Parliament House

Angela Le, a 3rd year Accounting Co-op Scholar studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Finance, presented at the UNSW's 75th Anniversary showcase at the Australian Parliament House in August which was attended by more than 150 people - including key members of the Australian Parliament, senators, and policy advisors.

In her captivating speech, Angela reflected on her transformative experiences and personal growth as both a Co-op Scholar and a Women in Business Ambassador, working closely with the UNSW Business School Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) team.  She described how these experiences have developed her aspiration of leading change in the Sustainability and ESG sector as a management consultant.

“This was such a unique experience to share my story as a Co-op Scholar and EDI ambassador at Parliament House. It was really inspiring to hear high-profile leaders acknowledge how young students like me have an important seat at the table in steering real-world change and social impact,” Angela said.

The ‘Powered by UNSW’ showcase also celebrated pioneer innovators, researchers and educators, who are striving to make a difference with their innovative solutions and research. Between each short talk, guests could explore various exhibits, each focussed on highlighting the extensive research that academics have conducted on subjects such as cancer research, solar energy, quantum computing and many more.

“The event was a wonderful immersion into the pioneering work of Australia's brightest innovators, researchers and policymakers. This is something I hope to eventually contribute to and during my speech, I was able to give a sneak peek into an exciting, Australian-first initiative that a team of students and I are launching at UNSW; Student Energy.”

Angela continued, “After talking with Professor Nick Wailes and Professor John Fletcher, it's clear that the key to solving some of our most pressing social challenges lies in lifelong learning, and I'm proud to study at a place that enables this for individuals of all backgrounds.”

In light of this incredible event and the invaluable advice, lessons and encouragement Angela spoke of in her speech, the UNSW Business School EDI team has republished with permission Angela’s Student Ambassador Keynote speech.

My name is Angela Le. Everyone has a story to tell, and this is mine.

Growing up, I dreamed that with my love for numbers, storytelling and desire to make a tangible difference, I would be a leader in my field. But during high school, life beyond Fairfield seemed just that: a dream out of reach.

What motivates me every day is that I carry the dreams of my immigrant parents; being the first in my family to attend university. From the age of 10, my Mum was carrying water jugs on the streets of Vietnam to provide for her family. And my Dad gave up his own dreams of being an electrical engineer as he couldn’t afford to continue due to financial hardship. The weight of the sacrifices they’ve made gives me the strength to believe that anything is possible if I put my mind to it.

My journey with UNSW started when I attended the Girls in Business Camp in 2019. I don’t exaggerate when I say it changed my life. At the heart of these programs are university student ambassadors. Inspired by their stories and assurance that UNSW is a place for everyone, I now serve as a Women in Business Ambassador myself and will continue until the end of my Undergraduate studies in 2025.

I’m pleased to share that 5 years after attending the camp, I was part of this year’s UNSW Business School EDI organising committee and we facilitated nearly 100 female-identifying high school students across NSW for three jam-packed days of industry site visits, workshops and networking. 60% of these girls, like me, came from low socioeconomic regions. With 100% of these young women, walking away more confident in themselves and their future – knowing that UNSW was the platform that ignited this fire.

This underscores exactly why I love doing what I do in representing my community back home in Fairfield. For those unsure of what opportunities are out there. For those who may lack the current resources to realise their full potential - one story alone has the power to inspire.

After high school, I was privileged to receive a UNSW Co-Op Program Scholarship for Accounting and Finance, which has allowed me invaluable professional experience alongside my studies, through mentorships, work-integrated learning (WIL) placements and many more memorable experiences.

Over two years, I’ve interned at leading companies in FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Working with key stakeholders on meaningful projects has equipped me with the skills and confidence to solve complex problems, which I will use to pursue a graduate career in strategy consulting. The Co-Op program has pushed me to open doors I didn’t know were possible and I'm excited to share my perspectives to shape future business and public strategy.

Further, I’m passionate about bridging classroom learning with real-world action, particularly in sustainability. Collaborating with the UNSW Digital Grid Future Institute, I helped co-found UNSW Student Energy - establishing us as the first Australian hub in a global network of future sustainable leaders. A community about interdisciplinary engagement, social impact and youth advocacy, Student Energy reflects the critical role that young Australians will play in steering these real-world conversations.

It’s only through continued investment in student education and outreach that we can nurture the leaders of tomorrow, who are ready to tackle the future’s unprecedented challenges.

Each person has a story to tell, and also a legacy to create and leave behind.

What do I want to be remembered as? Well, I'm still trying to work that out. But I do know that wherever I land up, it would’ve been from my bravery to dream big. And UNSW has granted me countless opportunities, such as today’s showcase, to transform this into reality. 

To be able to speak alongside inspiring leaders such as the Hon. Jason Clare, Hon. Paul Fletcher and Hon. Jim Chalmers is a privilege, and I thank you all for your time.