Student Profiles

Bachelor of Business Information Systems, Waurn Ponds Campus, Graduated 2010.

Currently: IT Graduate, Callista Software Services

Joseph Muscari wanted a good dose of business mixed with his IT qualifications, so he chose Deakin's Bachelor of Business Information Systems over a traditional IT degree. 'I like IT but I also like business, so a Bachelor of Business Information Systems was a great match,' he says. 'I wanted the business side of it too.'

After deciding back in Year 11 to study both business and IT, Joseph initially completed an Advanced Diploma of IT (e-business development). When he missed out on entry to RMIT's degree course, an offer from Deakin followed. 'They selected me,' he says of the Deakin course. But it soon became clear to Joseph that the move from Melbourne to Geelong was a good one as he quickly embraced the new environment. 'I loved it there,' he says. 'It is a lot quieter, not as enclosed and hectic as Melbourne. It reflects a sort of country site - very relaxing. Minimal traffic and the new Geelong Ring Road also made travel very easy.' A further bonus was finding that four of the subjects he had already completed applied to the degree and he received credits for them.

Joseph anticipates the step straight from school to university may have been tougher than the path he chose, and he feels sure the TAFE course helped his transition. He also found Deakin lecturers very supportive. 'They were very helpful and very patient, easy to talk to and to understand,' he says. 'Most subjects in my course had smaller classes so less people to ask questions, and so the lecturers have more time for you.' Joseph was also happy with the IT facilities at Waurn Ponds. 'There were plenty of computers around, so there was always a computer available to use.'

Just two months after completing his Deakin degree, Joseph gained an IT Graduate position at Callista Software Services, a company providing student management systems to universities and other higher education providers. 'I am being eased into it and learning a lot,' he says. 'The first week involved quite a few induction presentations, reading and watching videos. Now I am doing some software development work and starting to build on some of the skills and knowledge I learnt at university. It's a very relaxed, supportive and friendly work environment and I love it - it's great.' Joseph has no doubt that he ended up in the right course: 'absolutely, it prepared us very well'.