Keynote speaker and NSW Industry Minister Niall Blair described the night as a ‘win-win for Defence, industry, graduates and [the] future economy’.
The Hon. Anthony Roberts, MP presented a simple message for the 150 students assembled for ‘Defence Pitch @ Parliament’ on Tuesday 28 March.
“This will be a night where careers are made. Make the most of it.”
The students didn’t need any further encouragement. With representatives from 15 global defence companies ready to talk careers, the talent was primed to bring their A game across a series of speed interviews.
‘Defence Pitch @ Parliament’ was planned and hosted through a collaboration involving Ribit (the Data61/CSIRO backed platform which matches students with jobs), NSW Department of Industry and AMSI Interns.
The first-of-its-kind Defence event was an opportunity for Primes to engage with students on a more informal level at Parliament of NSW, while also providing them with first-hand insights into projects, growth areas and skills demand.
The evening launched with a short round of speeches followed by a short pitch from each company representative who had just 30 seconds to prove why they were worth meeting.
From submarines through to satellites, it is evident there are many places an ambitious STEM student can take their career.
With the clang of Ribit’s official HMAS Sydney brass bell (a prop with a very relevant heritage in this case), the 10, six minute speed dating rounds commenced with a flurry of conversation and resumes.
It took only 60 minutes for the companies to realise the types of minds who will help drive their continued growth and innovation well into the future.
One employer has even reported that they would have happily employed at least half the students they met.
New South Wales institutions were well represented on the evening including Macquarie University, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of New South Wales and University of Newcastle.
Thanks to event partners NSW Department of Industry and AMSIntern.
