Graduate profile

Bachelor of Business Information Systems/Bachelor of Information Technology, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, 2012

Currently: Graduate Technologist

Back in Year 12, Darcy Clissold had no idea what kind of career he would pursue. But he knew IT would be behind it and that adding a business qualification had to be an advantage. 'I was looking at doing something IT based and I saw that Deakin had the double degree. I thought, one extra year for two degrees - that's pretty good,' he says. Secondary school had already introduced him to business, Darcy adds. 'I did Business Management in Year 12 and did pretty well at it. When you look at the big corporations, they love people who have good business sense.'

Just four years on, Darcy not only has a Bachelor of IT/Bachelor of Business Information Systems to his name, he has obtained a position as a graduate technologist. He moved to Canberra in February to take up the post. '..I have been employed for my security major so I will be working in security,' he says.

Although he had no clear direction initially, he soon discovered the benefits of studying the combined course, Darcy says. 'I learned early on that having the business side to IT would be a big advantage when I was applying to the big companies.' Studying course content from two different areas also soon proved a bonus. 'I could go into IT and learn all the functions and how to actually do things,' he explains. 'Then in business, they would give you examples of where they are used and how they are applied.'

Darcy was surprised by his reaction to the law subjects. 'There was a compulsory law subject and I thought I wouldn't be very good at it but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it,' he says. 'It turned out to be quite interesting so I picked a couple more.'

Happy with the quality of his Deakin course, Darcy particularly appreciated that the lecturers and tutors are well versed in their field. 'The lecturers have been out in the industry before coming to Deakin so they have a good idea of where the technology has been and how it has been used,' he adds.

When applying for graduate positions at the end of his course, Darcy says having the business degree clearly gave him an edge. 'You feel like you are offering them something when you say you have a business degree. In an interview, they might ask what you would do in a particular situation and it gives you something to talk about'

Gaining his new position was a lot of work, Darcy explains. He endured a testing day that involved numeracy plus verbal, written and spacial testing. He was very happy on finding he had gained a position in IT security.

Darcy feels very satisfied that his combined course and his hard work have led him into a quality position. 'It is nice secure work, I have a nice starting salary straight out of university of about $60,000, generous super, and flexible hours. You can do the hours that suit.'