4 minute read
Becoming more fiercely independent, compassionate and empathetic, are some of the key personal changes Radha Pillai has recognised in herself ever since she moved to Canberra from Mumbai, India.
Meanwhile, on the academic front, she firmly believes the environment at The Australian National University (ANU) has driven her to think creatively and far beyond the ordinary.
“I’ve had a plethora of amazing experiences while studying at ANU – a university that is extremely conducive to research and innovation. My academic journey so far has been nothing short of bliss, involving intellectually challenging coursework and assignments, along with exciting project work that has made me push my frontiers of tenacity and intellectuality,” shares Radha, who is pursuing a Master of Business Information Systems (MBIS).
Back in India, Radha worked for one of the country’s IT giants – Larsen and Toubro Infotech. However, despite gaining an in-depth view of the corporate world through her employment, she was looking to upscale her professional mindset.
I was looking for a course that would give me a perfect mixture of IT and Management and CBE offered MBIS along with a scholarship.
“I wanted to explore the managerial side of the industry, and for that I needed to improve my analytical ability and critical thinking,” she says.
Recalling what led her to study at the ANU College of Business and Economics (CBE), Radha remembers being impressed by the long list of successful alumni, the available mentoring and internship opportunities, and the College’s research reputation.
“I was looking for a course that would give me a perfect mixture of IT and Management, and CBE offered MBIS. I was also granted the ANU Excellence Scholarship award, to assist me with my academic endeavours,” she adds.
From her experience so far, Radha acknowledges that Canberra as a city has played a pivotal role in her smooth transition away from bustling Mumbai.
“One of the foremost changes that I have dealt with is being away from crowds. In Mumbai, I was quite literally surrounded by a throng of people hustling through their lives. Canberra is quite to the contrary, and I’ve come to enjoy it, in particular the maximum of 20-minute travel time within the city, and the beautiful skylines and walking trails. Australia’s capital city has taught me the invaluable life skills of managing everything on my own, from time to finances. Canberra also offers graduate students a wide range of casual jobs, and mine helps me comfortably manage my living expenses,” she shares.
As one of the College’s Student Ambassadors, Radha admits that the unique experience allowed her to step out of her comfort zone.
“I was able to meet students and professionals from different backgrounds. The research tasks I undertook were enlightening; they provided me loads of essential knowledge and enabled me to enhance my skills in this area. I enjoyed helping new students with their inhibitions and helped make them feel comfortable by sharing my experiences. It was an enriching opportunity,” Radha asserts.
The ANU College of Business and Economics offers an extensive range of specialised programs. Click here for more details.