Successful Graduates
Jeff Campbell
Bachelor of Science Honours (Computer Science)
During my final semester I started to think about doing honours as there wasn't a lot in the way of IT jobs. I should point out that at this stage I was still a little sceptical about the value of completing an extra year of study.
After finishing the semester and enrolling in honours I started looking for a job in earnest. The assessment centres were an eye opener in terms of qualifications of the people attending. The minimum qualification was at least honours, with a majority holding either double degree or masters.
I was successful in gaining a position at Centrelink, and was assigned to work in one of their application development teams in Canberra. I had competed for one of 80 positions available with 1400 other applicants. Had I not been completing my honours year I would not have met the requirements of the selection criteria.
Despite the Centrelink job I applied for a graduate position with the Department of Education, Science and Training. I was interviewed in Canberra, and later made an early offer of employment even though the selection process hadn't been finalised. I was one of 20 successful applicants from a pool of 1200 applications. The starting salary was to be $35,000, however, I decided to negotiate with them and was able to negotiate a starting salary of $45,000 and travel expenses to Canberra. Again the only reason I was able to do this was because I was completing an honour year, which gave me greater bargaining power than someone with just an undergraduate degree.
The standard of applicants now applying for jobs is very high and the only thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the pack is the fact that you have gone the extra mile and completed an honours year.
Jason Cord
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
Completing the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) degree at ECU has given me the qualifications necessary to work within the IT industry, and provided me with a solid foundation to achieve my long term career goals.
During the my second year mid-semester break at ECU I completed a four week work experience program with ECU. This involved planning and implementing an audit of printers at all ECU campuses throughout Perth. As a result of this program, I was offered a job with ECU supervising a student computer laboratory.
I work with a team of about 20 software engineers and programmers on our company's suite of software products. In my position I perform peer reviews, low level module testing, code debugging, along with designing and implementing software solutions. The most enjoyable part of my job is taking and idea and turning it into reality.
Connor Farrell
Bachelor of Science (Communications and Information Technology)
With the objective of expanding my employment opportunities, I entered ECU as a mature age student whilst working in an IT support role, full-time and later part-time.
My degree, BSc. (Comms and IT), was a broad-based technology degree providing a solid introduction to all facets of IT. During my course I took particular liking to Project Management and similar management units. This was due in part to the lecturer at the time, Victoria Wilson. Vicky had a flair for making her lectures interesting by frequently translating intricate theoretical concepts into relevant practical scenarios. She gave us a particularly difficult project but it was what I learnt from this that influenced me to choose a career in Project Management.
There is no question that my studies at ECU augmented my existing skills making me more marketable to prospective employers.
Bryan Garnett-Law
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
My degree has proved highly relevant and useful since joining the workforce in 1998. My degree taught me skills in programming, project management, research, database development and the odd bit of user interface knowledge and graphics. During my final year I was awarded a CEED project, this project gave me an enormous confidence boost, in particular with developing and designing web sites. It was ultimately this project which lead me to where I am today, Web Manager for the Faculty of Computing, Health and Science at ECU.
During my final semester I was lucky enough to be employed by two employers on a part-time basis. I was employed again by my Faculty to redesign their website, and by Guerilla Interactive as a web programmer. More recently I have tutored within the School of Computer and Information Science in the Internet Computing area. This experience has proven very rewarding, none more so than seeing several of my own students employed by the very same school upon graduation.
A great course, thoroughly recommend it to everyone.
Thojana Gunasingham
Bachelor of Science (Communications and Information Technology)
I gained entry into my degree via the Australian College of Business and Technology in Sri Lanka.
As a student at Edith Cowan University I have hand enormous experiences that have changed my life for the better. ECU gives priority to its students and provided the best facilities possible, including the student megalabs open 24 hours a day to allow students to complete their assignments.
My course offered me the flexibility to choose an area of specialisation, in my case computer networking.
My studies at ECU instilled into me the confidence to achieve my goals. Currently I am not working within my field of study, however, subjects that I studied have proven relevant and useful.
Palanisamy Kamalakannan
Master of Information Technology / Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
I was working as a Mechanical Engineer in the Oil and Gas sector after graduating in Mechanical Engineering. During my work in Oil refinery, I developed a keen interest in Information Technology and Software Engineering. I realized the importance of Data and Information management. This prompted me to enrol in Edith Cowan University. Initially, I completed Graduate Diploma in Information Technology and continued to complete the Master of Information Technology course. My studies at ECU have helped to perform better at work. The techniques studied in the course have helped me to add significant value to my job and stand apart from my colleagues. The course's practical assignments have been of considerable benefit to me and my workplace. I think that the time and money I invested in my studies have paid back by way of my performance recognition.
I am currently employed as Senior Integrity Engineer in one of the fastest growing Liquefied Natural Gas Company in the world namely Ras Gas Company Limited. This is a joint venture of Oil and Gas Giants Qatar Petroleum and EXXON-MOBIL. As Senior Integrity Engineer, my primary tasks are monitoring and improving the reliability and integrity of the plant. Data management, analysis and equipment history data maintenance are part of my daily activity. We use Electronic tools like SAP, RTIS (Real Time Information System), LIMS (Laboratory Information System), EDMS (Electronic Data Management System), IHS (Information Handling system) and our own in-house Document Management system. The units I studied in the Master of Information Technology course at ECU have helped me to maintain and mine relevant equipment data to improve and maintain the reliability and integrity of the plant. The Pressure Relief Valve database is maintained, updated and scheduled by me. I have put to use the knowledge acquired by me at ECU in full use in maintaining the Pressure Relief Valve database that is very critical to the integrity of the plant. I have also created a Database driven website for Integrity Engineering in our intranet. This helped me to deliver accurate and quick information to my internal and external customers on Plant Integrity issues.
The aspect of my job, I enjoy most is the design and development of databases for maintaining the plant integrity. The units on Systems and Database design, Applications development and Software design helped me to make a mark in my job and contribute effectively in my job responsibilities. I like these activities due to the interesting way these units were taught at ECU. The tutorials and assignments on these units were effective in creating interest in this subject.
Iqbal Khan
BSc Software Engineering / MSc Software Engineering
After the completion of my BSc (software engineering) from ECU, I have just one more unit to complete my MSc. It is amazing that even before the completion of my degree I got a job in Telstra in my own field.
The single unit (CSG 5206) that I did in networking proved heavier over all the rest of the units that I did in about five years of studies at ECU. Purpose of this email is to thank specially Dr.Paul Maj with whom a single unit (networking) that I did, earned me a wonderful job with an above average salary. During the interview session at Telstra, I felt as the interviewers are revising the contents of CSG 5206. I pay my complements to Dr. Paul Maj for his dedications, which are always striving to align the unit material to the industry needs.
At the end I appreciate the system of entire ECU that took me out of the 5.86% of unemployed people of WA.
William McGlue
Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology broadened my knowledge in computer software use, espcially photoshop. Since graduating in 2002 I am now employed full-time within my field of study.
Amit Sethi
Bachelor of Science (Software Engineering)
I came to ECU as an international student and I found the experience challenging and rewarding. All our instructors had industry experience which ensure what we were being taught was current.
To enhance my employability I undertook volunteer/work experience activities. I participated in the StepUp! Peer Tutoring Program which involved assisting teachers at the Mt Lawley High School in Oracle training for years 11 and 12. I also helped with the ATAS Programs for Indigenous Australians.
I am now working full-time as a programmer involved in developing websites, database management and administration, and IT support.
Scott Wesley
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
The course instilled the principles and fundamentals of computer programming and assisted me in applying these principles to application development. My communication skills were vastly improved, and allowed me to learn and progress more in my first three months at work than three years at Uni - however without my experiences at Uni, this would not have been possible.
To enhance my employability I took part in the StepUp! peer tutoring program and had a 3 month contract with ECU performing Y2K testing and patching, as well as assisting with the Apple G4 rollout.
In my three years at Bunnings I've learnt an amazing amount of technical skills. I enjoy the ability and freedom to investigate how to get the most out of the Oracle database, and refine the application to achieve its potential. Without learning the programming fundamentals at Uni, this would not have been possible. I am now responsible for assisting new graduates with applying the Bunnings standards and guidelines.
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