Graduate Profile

Bachelor of Business Information Systems, Deakin University, Melbourne Campus, Burwood. Graduated 2011

Currently: Direct Sales and Administration, Philip Morris

Anyone considering studying at Deakin should 'absolutely do it', even if they are not sure exactly what they want to do, says recent graduate Anita Budai. Anita completed a Bachelor of Business Information Systems at the Melbourne Campus Burwood after choosing the course because it opened so many doors. 'In Year 12 I was thinking I would go with something that would give me diversity and not restrict me to one path,' she says. 'This course was a good mix of everything I enjoyed and was good at.'

At school level, no one studies anything in great depth, Anita explains, so she embraced the chance to do so with her university course. 'I could do a bit of IT, law, business and communications subjects. It was great because it helped me to see which ones I was enjoying more and to see what path I might take.' Anita soon realised that human resources and management were the areas meant for her. 'I really loved that aspect of the course,' she says. 'Learning about it and how the psychology of it all can affect the workplace.' She completed her degree with majors in HR management and e-business. 'I love what the HR major delivered for the workforce,' she says. 'I learned about the way you can deal with people and make it better for everyone. I love being around people.' The subject matter also merges with law, providing an extra advantage, Anita adds. 'It's about how to manage a workplace and get the right outcomes. The course provides a really good grasp of how to behave in the workforce and how to work effectively with people.'

After graduating, Anita travelled for a few months before securing a sales and administration position at Philip Morris. She deals with anywhere between 40 and 80 people per day, discussing needs such as their stock requirements and shelf management. 'It's awesome - a great place to work,' she says. And what she learned during her course is put to use on a daily basis.

The IT skills and knowledge Anita acquired in her course have also been of huge benefit, she says. 'You use so many different programs in the workplace that having the IT background makes everything a lot easier. One of the most rewarding aspects of her course involved building a computer system for a resource centre for the disabled, says Anita. 'We merged five systems into one and won a university prize for it. It was a huge achievement and I am really proud of it.'

Obtaining a specific HR position is Anita's goal but she is happy to be patient. 'I understand I have to work for it. You have to learn from every situation and take what you can from it - nothing is an opportunity lost.'