Blog

Photo: Helen with two of her fellow Cadets

Helen Zhou is a role model, young female engineer and a passionate advocate for STEM. Fearless and focused, she is determined to make her dreams a reality, and inspire others to do the same. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering Science at Monash University, and undertaking her Cadetship placement at Bombardier.  Grasping onto opportunities, no matter how big or daunting they might have seemed, has ultimately led Helen to a pathway in STEM. This now defines much of who she is, her passions, and her hopes for the future. We’ll let Helen tell you the rest.

My passion for STEM is a universal constant. I wouldn’t be who I am without it. I went to a girls only high school where the culture was unknowingly prohibitive against STEM. Because of this, STEM remained an unexplored possibility until the summer holidays of year 10.

All of a sudden I was surrounded by hundreds of like-minded peers

My first brush with the world of STEM was The ConocoPhillips Science Experience (TCSE), a three-day program for students in years 8 to 10. All of a sudden, I was surrounded by hundreds of like-minded peers who shared my curiosity about the world around me, and the trajectory of my life was completely altered, knocked off course by a staggering amount of passion and support from my fellow scientist fledglings.

For the first time the rest of the world felt truly tangible

About half a year later I successfully applied for Youth ANZAAS. It was a science program with about a hundred students from all over Australia and New Zealand participating in a week-long residential program. It included a tour of RMIT’s collection of 3D-printers, a trip to a planetarium, seeing a Nobel medal, and even included an explosive concert by Ologism, a science-themed rock band. It was also during this program that the students from New Zealand opened the world to up to me, and for the first time the rest of world felt truly tangible.

Diving head first into the world of STEM

I had been a member of YSA (Youth Scientists of Australia) for a while, however I had mostly lurked on the fringes. But after the Youth ANZAAS and the bonding of the residential program, I found myself on the executive committee as a ‘Member Without Official Portfolio’. I dove head-first, and YSA became the supportive backbone that sustained my passion for STEM and helped focus that passion into something productive – STEM outreach. I began to be involved in engaging with the community through volunteering, which soon became another passion of mine.

From Canberra to Europe

After an almost year-long application throughout Year 11, (which required the support of a rotary club, a written application and a two-stage interview), I was given the opportunity to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in Canberra. It was an Earth Science based program, and we toured the Earth Science departments, visited Geoscience Australia also engaged in networking events at Parliament House with participants such as a Nobel Laureate and Chief Scientist.

After the program, participants were given the opportunity to apply for international programs. I was one of five hundred students from over fifty countries who were accepted into the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF), and we spent three weeks abroad during term 3 of Year 12, residing with the Natural History Museum and Science Museum just down the road. Following the amazing program in London, we embarked on a trip through Paris and Switzerland, which culminated in a visit to CERN and the Large Hadron Collider.

Opportunities are everywhere

Now that I am in university, the small flame of scientific interest that sparked to life in Year 10 has now crystallised into a steady burn of passion that makes up the very core of my identity. When I am not tinkering with electronics or code, I enjoy astrophotography and observing the night sky with my telescope. Alongside my studies in Aerospace Engineering and Science at Monash University, I am now involved with Engineers Without Borders.

“The most important thing that I will take away from my experiences is that opportunities are everywhere – and not just for STEM! You just need to find them. Finding a passion is incredibly empowering, especially so for my fellow women in STEM.”

Maybe one day I will be working as a researcher, or designing rockets, or maybe I will be in a classroom trying to inspire children to become the next Einstein or Marie Curie.

Wherever I may end up, I know it will be in STEM.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lisa Kha is one of our 2nd year Cadets. She’s studying Commerce at the University of Sydney and completing her placement at QBE Insurance. She recently undertook a study placement to the Northern Territory, working with the local Indigenous community to create a sustainable governance model for a town facing some challenges. Over to Lisa to hear more about her experiences and learnings from the trip.

At the end of March, a team of interdisciplinary students headed off to a small town in the Northern Territory called Jabiru – a town built on Aboriginal land – a town built for the purposes of mining. The mine has created tension in between Indigenous communities for decades now. However, its shutting down means the royalties to Mirarr, the owner’s of which the land was built, disappear accordingly.

The University of Sydney are running a five-year initiative to assist the community. As part of this initiative, our role was to understand the needs of the Bininj (a term the Aboriginal people call themselves) and in a joint effort with the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, to help create a sustainable governance model that encourages collaboration amongst the communities in a bid to improve quality of life.

Photo: Husband and wife Mark and May – traditional owners of the land who took the time to take us around to see rock paintings on day then their community the next

Over the nine days, we learnt a tremendous amount about their deeply rooted customs, ways of life and their history. We realised how little we knew about their circumstances coming into this – both their struggles and achievements. It was very overwhelming. It was a much needed eye-opener.

We started to see where our skills could work to help a community create a sustainable way of life. We were part of something greater than just marks.

For someone who loved excursions and history in high school, this unit combined just that with my business side of things. Unlike normal classrooms lectures and tutorials, this experience allowed for firsthand interaction with the communities and people. When ‘on-country,’ we were able to go explore what Kakadu had to offer, its amazing past with traditional owners of the land and by exploring the land in which they owned.

Photo: Going to see rock paintings

Highlights at Kakadu for me were definitely the interactions we had with the community – whether that’d be playing ultimate frisbee or soccer with the kids and dancing along at their school dance or being taken on tour by the traditional owners. There was no doubt about it. I fell in love with the community and didn’t want to leave by the end of it.

Taking this chance to work closely with Indigenous communities was something I never thought I’d have the chance to do but it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

It was my first experience working with an interdisciplinary team and it just goes to show how much you can learn off one another. I cannot wait to see how this project will be transformed from its current stage by the end of the final phase and the changes it’ll have on the community.

Photo: Obligatory crocodile sighting in Kakadu National Park.

Photos by: Slow School Of Business

Discovering your purpose can be one of those light bulb moments in life. Aligning your values with your work is one way of ensuring satisfaction, motivation and happiness. Our Cadet Olivia Walker recently participated in the Slow School of Business’ ‘Talk On Purpose’ This four-day course delves deep into purpose, personal storytelling, leadership and public speaking – all things that we weave into our Cadetship journey.  At the end of the course, participants present to an audience to share their purpose journey. Olivia shares her experience.

Preparation and visualisation

I spent three days in the Abbotsford Convent being mentored by the most seasoned public speakers in the industry working towards delivering a short three-minute speech about personal purpose in front of a live studio audience. I’d already done a bit of public speaking with my extra-curricular activities as well as the Doxa Cadetship professional development training, but this was a chance to delve deeper.

Initially the prospect seemed rather daunting, but once we began work on our scripts and I realised just how supported I was within the group, almost all that fear disappeared. Carolyn Tate, the founder of Slow School, goes above and beyond to ensure that the environment we were working in was a comfortable one where you can focus your energy on creating a masterpiece that truly reflects your voice and the message you want to deliver to the world. We did this via daily meditation and breathing exercises. We also got one-on-one script help to assist us with content and structure.

“This course wasn’t just about public speaking it was about how we can use our voice to communicate a message, our story.”

Photos by: Slow School Of Business

Brainstorming, storytelling & script writing

During the course we participated in a variety of activities, including:

• Brainstorming what our purpose is how what we do relates to that
• A story telling workshop focusing on how to relate on a personal level with the audience
• Public speaking techniques and effective delivery
• Development of a script for the presentation, presenting our own personal purpose
• Presenting our scripts in small groups and receiving instructive feedback
• A mock panel where we presented our scripts for feedback in front of our mentor

Public speaking

Naturally, just before I went on stage I was super nervous. There are all sorts of things going through your head at that moment but the most prominent thing on my mind was I hope my message resonates with someone. I wasn’t taking part in this course just to deliver a talk. I had something to share. I was really grateful that some familiar faces from the Doxa Cadetship team were there to support me on the night, which was awesome.

It was so rewarding working alongside people from all different walks of life. It gives you the ability to soak up all the different perspectives and learn what they too are passionate about. It’s a scenario where you feel inspired by your own peers, which I think is really special because we often look to people who we hold in high regard as mentors when actually, we can learn just as much from the people we surround ourselves with.

“Talk on Purpose was an emotional rollercoaster with excitement, fear, happiness, confusion, determination, crying and mostly importantly pride. Upon completion of the course you look back at what you have achieved and the outcome is surreal. I am so thankful I was able to take part in this incredible experience.”

Thanks to Carolyn Tate @ Slow School Of Business for offering our Cadet Olivia a place on the course. 

Photo (State Library) Michael Tran: 2nd Year Cadet

The power of the Cadetship program is immeasurable. For 2nd Year Cadet Michael Tran it’s been a journey of challenge, personal and professional development and crucial confidence building. Michael is studying a double degree in Law & Arts at the Monash University and completing his work placement at top tier law firm, Allens Linklaters. Here he tells his tale of transformation.

I have always been fascinated by Alice in Wonderland, who fell down the rabbit-hole and found herself in a cycle of adventures that tested her courage, intellect and perseverance. Strangely, I resonate with Alice’s whimsical adventures, through my experiences as a first year Cadet.

Unlike Alice, who fell down the rabbit-hole, my first day as a Cadet involved rocketing up the other direction in an elevator…37 floors up to be exact. I felt anxious and daunted. A first-year law student, with no knowledge about the legal industry, was about to step foot into a global top-tier law-firm. Nonetheless, the doors opened and I was greeted by the sign Allens, a place I would call my Wonderland for the next five years.

Photo (Allens Office/Melbourne Skyline): “Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.”

Prior to my Cadetship journey, my self-confidence had always been clouded by my experiences in high-school, where I had always felt isolated, judged and misunderstood. My past had stripped me of my true personality and my self-belief. I always feared what others thought of me. I was afraid of not ‘fitting in.’

Yet, since stepping out of that elevator, I have been showered with endless support and guidance from my two mentors; Pete and Chris who have enlightened me about the importance of self-confidence in the ruthless legal industry. I was reassured that being a young and curious Cadet at such a large law-firm, was an advantage, as I could afford to make mistakes and to ask questions and to learn from them.

I was inspired when I became a member of the Cadet cohort, all of whom have persevered through their own hardships, but managed to find the strength to fight through.

And it was then I realised, that my past does not define me.

Photo 3 (Fellow Cadets): Cadets (L-R): Shelley Fenech, Michael Tran, Grace Davidson.

I began to gain a level of confidence that was previously, non-existent. I had the courage to network with other lawyers at Allens, casually and professionally. I was confident enough to tackle new tasks without any fear of failing. I had the self-belief to project the best version of myself to the world. I was no longer afraid, of being ‘me.’

This Cadetship and my time at Allens has allowed me to grow so much as a person, professionally and personally, in ways I never thought were possible. As each day passes, I continue to develop the passion, qualities and skills required for the legal industry and to live a more confident life, knowing that everyone involved in the Cadetship program, is cheering me on.

I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then. 

We have identified 120 individuals ready to take up a place on our life-changing Cadetship Program for university undergraduates.  These talented and diverse young people are committed to completing their education and realising their professional career goals. What we need are 120 companies to support these smart, highly-motivated students.

Does your company need:

• talented young minds
• an extra pair of hands to assist with entry level and project tasks for up to eight weeks per year
• an engaged workforce equipped with a growth mindset
• opportunities to build staff morale
• a structured program to engage staff in valuable leadership development

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Yes? Become a Cadetship Program Partner today.

We have 120 first-year undergraduates from across Victoria who have applied for the Cadetship program in 2017. Top areas of study are: science & pharma/biomed, commerce & business, engineering and law.

• 100% are seeking a future professional career
• 96% come from culturally diverse backgrounds, including refugee and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
• 33% come from regional/rural Victoria (to study in Melbourne)

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120 talented young people need your support. Become a Cadetship Program Partner today. Others who have made this smart decision to back young people by becoming a Cadetship Program Partner include: Allens, Dennis Family Homes, KPMG, PwC, V/Line. See the full list here

How we support Cadetship Program Partners:

• provide a shortlist of talented applicants relevant to their sector
• build a learning & development framework in line with Partner development goals
• Mentoring support and on-boarding advice
• recruitment support
• provide opportunities for employees to participate in the Cadet’s Professional Development Program

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In addition to this, we administer financial assistance directly to the young people, so you don’t have to. We also develop employability and personal skills in young people through our tailored Professional Development Program.

 Doxa puts forward high calibre young people for us to select as part of the Cadetship Program placement. Whilst you might think you’re giving a lot to the Cadet, you’re actually getting a lot out of it yourself. It’s very, very rewarding. – Cadet Mentor

Become a Cadetship Program Partner today. Find out more here or call: 03 9046 8200 email Pip Macdonald, Doxa’s Cadetship Program Manager: pmacdonald@doxa.org.au

See Preethi’s journey in the Cadetship program:-

Alumni Cadet, volunteer addict and all round Doxa legend Priscilla Pham is a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) from Deakin University. She completed her work placement at BP Australia and has some great ideas about making the world a better place.

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

Absolutely going to say Friends, a great comedic classic. If I ever need a good laugh I can always rely on Friends. Though I’m also a huge animation addict and have an undying love for Adventure Time. It resonates well with my inner childhood as well as some deep obstacles that we tend to face in life.

Can you tell us about your involvement with Doxa?

Where do I even begin haha, I love Doxa and they’re my forever family. It all started from the Cadetship program where I was selected to commence my placement with BP Australia back in 2013. I’ve finished that now, but felt that Doxa and I could do so much more together. With more capacity for Cadets and Alumni to support and contribute to Doxa, I’d taken on a wide range of voluntary opportunities. I’ve helped out at a series of working bees, racing lunches, Cadetship camps and Holiday Camps in Malmsbury, University Pathways Programs and now the Future Focus program.

“What I can do now with all the skills and experiences is to give back and provide opportunities to the kids who don’t have it, who were like me when I was their age. It’s time for me to give back.”

Priscilla (right) at Doxa Malmsbury Working Bee, March 2016

How has Doxa had an impact on you?

Doxa helped me to believe that no matter what situations happen in my life anything is achievable, all I had to do was seek the resources and support that was already there waiting for me. Doxa made me realise that I’m beyond a social construct and that family comes in all shapes and sizes. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be now if I didn’t have Doxa there to support me at my lowest. What I can do now with all the skills and experiences is to give back and provide opportunities to the kids who don’t have it, who were like me when I was their age. It’s time for me to give back.

“Doxa helped me to believe that no matter what situations happen in my life anything is achievable.”

Name some of the things in society that matter to you?

Oh gosh, there’s so many! Here are a few key areas though:

Everything from quality living standards, to equality on every level and ensuring that everyone takes into account their responsibility for the environment.

Providing opportunities matters to me because I know that talent is existent in everyone, and if every person has that opportunity to showcase their talents and capabilities only greater things can come from that. It’s amazing what we’re capable of.

I always love to refer to the United Nations 17 Sustainability Goals that countries adopted in September 2015 as their new sustainable agenda. I can relate to all their set goals as my own and their goals are fantastic. We’re in a day and age where societies are capable of so much more.

“Providing opportunities matters to me because I know that talent is existent in everyone…”

What’s your favourite social network and why?

Facebook is my go to and a long time buddy. It’s where I can find interesting news feeds, recipes, updates on friends and family and a great tool for global integration. I can say that half my friends aren’t Australian and I can learn so much about who they are and their culture. Snapchat is great too, it was initial peer pressure but I’ve grown fond of the filters!

What are the top 3 things on your bucket list?

• Travel the world, again and for longer
• Help as many people as I can while I can
• Exude happiness wherever I can