Alex Chan

Military background and education

I enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an Aircraft Technician in 2007 and served full-time for 12 years. My final posting was with the C-17A Globemaster, progressing to maintenance manager and team lead supporting the delivery of high value cargo across the world including personnel, equipment and humanitarian aid. 

In addition to my UNSW Post-Graduate degree, my studies whilst serving included: Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; Certificate IV in WHS; Certificate IV in Aeroskills; and courses augmenting my technical leadership role. 

Since transitioning I completed a Certificate IV in in Responding to Organisational Complexity through ICCPM; Lean Six Sigma training; Earned Value Management Practitioner training; certification as a Proposal Manager through APMP; and certification as a Project Manager through AIPM.

Educational journey

Career uncertainty following secondary schooling resulted in a reluctance to immediately commit to tertiary education. What was intended to be a minimum six-year commitment to the ADF expanded into over a decade filled with valuable life and professional experiences. After a fulfilling period in the ADF, I recognised the value of formal education to enhance my skills and open new career opportunities. Feeling stagnant in my then role and the limited opportunities as an enlisted member, I applied for a Master’s Degree in Project Management part-time. I pursued this degree to gain advanced analytical skills in project management, particularly in areas I had encountered through Defence projects and to provide me with challenging and exciting career paths.

Additionally, I could study part-time, adapting to the dynamic nature of my work. My first semester I managed two core courses and despite a break from formal education, I earned Distinctions in both courses, thanks to the UNSW programs’ flexibility and support. I completed the remainder of my degree while balancing my personal life, work and deployments, often studying on the back of an aircraft using military cargo as my makeshift desk. Graduating was a proud milestone, and I was grateful to share the experience with my family including my brother who concurrently completed his UNSW Master’s Degree in Business.

Completing my degree set me up for career success. It equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of project management principles and foundational business concepts such as economics, corporate strategy, and organisational behaviour—skills I continue to apply today. I am grateful for the opportunities the ADF and UNSW provided, shaping me into a more skilled and adaptable professional.

Transition to civilian career

Service in the ADF provided me with an avenue into a professional, high-performing workforce at an early age, granting me invaluable life and work experience, advanced qualifications, leadership skills, and lifelong friends. Everyone has personal reasons for leaving Defence. For me, it was a desire to pursue a new career path and remain in one location to support my wife, who had recently advanced in her own career. As I’m sure it is for most veterans; leaving Defence was an intimidating step, especially after 12 years in such a supportive environment.

Like many of my contemporaries, I saw Defence contracting as the safest, smoothest transition, allowing me to work in a familiar environment with others who shared similar backgrounds and values. With the completion of my degree imminent, I applied for several project management positions and secured my first civilian job in 2018 with Raytheon Australia as a Project Manager. My UNSW degree set me apart from other applicants, giving me credibility in my new field with a relevant qualification from a respected institution.

Getting a ‘foot in the door’ is the hardest part in transitioning out of Defence—a step that my degree helped facilitate in my instance. Once given the opportunity, the leadership, management skills, and work ethic developed in Defence allows you to quickly prove your worth and bring added value to a civilian organisation. Since my first job after transitioning, I’ve been fortunate to have advanced my career across multiple roles in Defence industry and was even honoured with receiving a Chief of Air Force Gold Commendation (Contractor) for leading a high-performing team on a critical project. 

Personal reflection

I am grateful to the ADF for the opportunity to pursue tertiary education while working full-time. The structure of my lifestyle enabled me to succeed, though I understand it may not be as feasible for everyone. I believe that adversity fosters opportunity, and opportunity breeds success. Balancing a full-time job with post-graduate studies was a challenge leading to personal growth. Stepping outside my comfort zone helped me develop new perspectives that shaped my personal and professional goals. The transition from Defence to a civilian career has brought satisfying and rewarding opportunities in my civilian roles. My degree, complemented by my experience in the ADF, has given me the confidence and autonomy to pursue my goals with purpose.

Advice to future student veterans

Keep an open mind and don’t sell yourself short. Having successfully transitioned from an enlisted role into a new career, I can attest that there will be challenges along the way. Don’t let the adversity or your rank limit your aspirations or hold you back from what you strive to achieve. One of the biggest misconceptions I’ve observed since leaving Defence is the tendency for some veterans to compartmentalise their skills and underestimate the value they bring to civilian employers. I encourage you to connect with veterans who have completed similar degrees or work in fields you’re interested in. The Defence community is close-knit, with many contacts and support networks ready to help.