Choose with care
A WELL-REGARDED UNIVERSITY CAN BOOST YOUR RESUME FOR YEARS TO COME
Graduates are linked to the reputation of their university “for life”, so new enrollees are urged to choose their tertiary institution with care.
Jack Moran, from international higher education network Quacquarelli Symonds, says it is too early to know how Covid and the subsequent shift to online learning has affected the tertiary choices of students, but university rankings, as well as other data such as graduate employment outcomes, can help students shortlist their preferred universities.
“We know that employers are increasingly adopting a holistic perspective in making hiring decisions and this means that the greatest weight will always be placed upon the individual’s particular temperament, experience, suitability and academic background,” Moran says.
“But, of course, attending a highranking institution will never be anything other than a positive inclusion on a person’s CV and it may well help a graduate hire attain a decisive edge.”
Carnegie Mellon University Australia deputy head Ben Olijnyk says enrolling in a well-respected, world-ranked university makes it much easier to find employment.
“The reason why more students want to go into the higher-ranking universities is because employers start approaching the students (about work opportunities) rather than the students having to approach the employers,” he says.
“The good name of higher-end universities is something that will be associated with you for your entire life.
“Students really need to be aware of what industry is thinking (about a university before they enrol) … particularly in our local scene, where it gets out quite quickly if a particular university is not doing very well (producing high quality graduates).”
Olijnyk says the reputation of a tertiary institution also heavily influences internship and other opportunities available to students during their studies.
He says at Carnegie Mellon, which consistently ranks among the top 50 universities worldwide, postgraduate students from the Australian campus have access to paid internships with “high-end” companies, such as Microsoft.
Olijnyk says the increase in online tertiary offerings – potentially opening up the opportunity for Australians to enrol with prestigious universities from around the globe – will make it more important than ever to select highly reputable institutions. However, he believes the
highest-ranked unis will always require some elements of on-campus, face-to-face study.
Michael Guy completed a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management through Carnegie
Mellon University Australia last year and was almost immediately recruited as a senior planner with the South Australian Housing Authority, after previously working for the Environment Protection Authority
SA.
“CMU’S reputation worldwide is really very good,” Guy says. “It came down to a couple of candidates but, I think, having the Cmu-related study gave me that extra edge.”
RACE 5 – Class 4 Handicap (1400m)
Arthur In Charge is third-up fit and wasn’t beaten far by Gogol last start over 1200m at Ipswich. Should be winning if he doesn’t run at Doomben. The Driller can settle closer with the advantage of the inside alley after running-on well last start at the Sunshine Coast.
Brook Hill drops 2.5kg on his impressive last-start victory here and should run well again. Rocquette also drops weight after running third behind Brook Hill and has won on the heavy.
SELECTIONS: 2 Arthur In Charge, 3 The Driller, 4 Brook Hill, 8 Rocquette
RACE 6 – Maiden, Fillies & Mares (1200m)
All Too Quick was backed off the map at Murwillumbah last start but ran into trouble rounding the home turn.
Worth a wager if she doesn’t run at Doomben.
My Odette ran second at Doomben last start despite being posted wide the entire race. Isla’s Day didn’t get much room in the straight at Ipswich last start but wasn’t beaten far. Acracker was well-supported but didn’t fire on debut at Ipswich. Include if the money arrives again. SELECTIONS: 8 All Too Quick, 5 My Odette, 3 Isla’s Day, 1 Acracker
RACE 7 – Benchmark 65 (1200m)
Private Cheetah is clear top pick following his tenacious third at Doomben when resuming last start. Tolkowsky looks the main danger after getting held-up last start at Ipswich and was far from disgraced behind Kaiberry three starts back at Doomben on a heavy track. Brazen Princess won this track and distance two starts ago and drops 2.5kg from that run. Triptonic ran second at Doomben in the heavy going and has also won at this track and distance. SELECTIONS: 3 Private Cheetah, 7 Tolkowsky, 9 Brazen Princess, 10 Triptonic,
RACE 8 – Open Handicap (1100m)
Wudang Blade will be sharper after his first-up effort and the inside barrier and wet track are heavily in his favour. Jule’s Spirit is unbeaten in heavy conditions and won here last start over 900m. Can win again. Bargannon contested stronger races last preparation and brings solid firstup credentials into this. Sidekiss is a four-time winner at Aquis Park and can handle a wet track. Fisticuffs resumes and was favourite first-up at Doomben last preparation. SELECTIONS: 6 Wudang Blade, 4 Jule’s Spirit, 2 Bargannon, 9 Sidekiss, 5 Fisticuffs