Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to host six brilliant young minds from Camberwell Girls Grammar School (CGGS) for an immersive internship day. These future innovators got a firsthand glimpse into various career paths and workplace environments, connecting with professionals across multiple industries.

Session 1: Future Careers & Community Lunch & Learn

he day kicked off with an inspiring lunch and learn session featuring three remarkable speakers:

• Camilla Clark, Managing Director at Give A Grab A Go shared insights on opportunity recognition
• Dr. Michelle Chen, Founder of Mental Jam discussed navigating career transitions
• Shaye Pumar, CMO at HEX offered marketing perspectives

One of the key takeaways? The mindset shift needed to succeed in today's workplace: seize opportunities when they present themselves. The speakers emphasized how saying "yes" to unexpected chances can lead to remarkable career journeys.

The most interesting career paths rarely follow a straight line. It's about being open to possibilities you hadn't considered.

Startup Ecosystem: StartSpace at State Library Victoria

Next, our interns visited StartSpace at the State Library Victoria, where they had the privilege of meeting with Zoe Burrows, co-director of Crazy Idea College.

Zoe walked them through the startup ecosystem, discussing the challenges entrepreneurs face and how innovative thinking can solve real-world problems. Our interns were particularly engaged when discussing how ideas transform into viable businesses.

Corporate Insights: EY

The afternoon continued at EY, where Glenis Smith (EA) and Malia Forner (Partner at EY) provided a comprehensive introduction to consulting and strategy careers. The interns learned about:

• Different consulting roles within a major firm
• How consultants approach problem-solving
• Skills needed to thrive in a consulting environment

The EY team emphasized the importance of analytical thinking combined with strong communication skills.

Banking & Finance: ANZ

The day concluded with a visit to ANZ, where Erin Cote (Tribe Performance Lead) and Melissa Beaton (Journey Expert) offered insights into banking and finance careers.

The students discovered what a typical day at ANZ involves and discussed the mindset shifts needed to succeed in a corporate environment. The ANZ team highlighted adaptability, continuous learning, and collaborative problem-solving as essential qualities.

Looking Forward

Learning that successful professionals don't always have linear career paths was reassuring. It's about being open to opportunities and growing through each experience.

This internship day represents just the beginning of our commitment to bridging education and industry. By exposing young minds to diverse career possibilities, we hope to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders.

We're immensely grateful to all the professionals who shared their time and wisdom with these promising young women from CGGS. Their generosity helps shape the future workforce - one inspired student at a time.

Want to participate in future internship days? Reach out to our team to learn how your organisation can inspire the next generation of talent: future@startwithhex.com 

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