After Jeya Harini Umashankar completed her undergraduate degree, she knew that she wasn’t done learning yet. The Master of Management at the University of Melbourne provided the perfect opportunity for her to upskill her foundational knowledge and gain leadership skills.
“Melbourne Business School (MBS) is a stimulating and dynamic environment,” said Harini. “The courses are well-designed, the faculty is supportive, and the student body is outstanding. The opportunities for personal and professional growth outside of the classroom are exceptional.”
One such opportunity for Harini was undertaking a professional internship organised through the University, another involved participating in the MBS UniMelb StartUp pitch contest. “As someone with entrepreneurial aspirations, the competition was a highlight. Not only did I have the chance to learn from the best in the field, but I was also able to develop my presentation and public speaking skills while giving life to my ideas,” explained Harini.
Seeking new opportunities to challenge herself and grow, Harini engaged in various activities and clubs across the University. “I’m General Secretary of the Indian Graduate Student Society and enjoy sharing my ideas through TEDxUniMelb,” said Harini. “I have also been a Melbourne Business School Ambassador since June 2022, and a representative of the Women's Department of the University of Melbourne Student Union.”
Harini found that the MBS peer mentoring program was particularly instrumental in helping her acclimate to university life and provided invaluable resources for academic support and personal health. So, it was a full-circle moment when, as the Events Manager of the MBS Student Association, she was able to organise the peer mentoring program in Semester 2, 2022.
However, it was the Leadership Exploration and Development Program (LEAD), offered by the Graduate Student Association (GSA), that gave her a chance to explore her interest in leadership in-depth.
“During the program I met like-minded individuals, explored critical leadership topics, engaged in personal reflection, participated in peer mentoring circles, and led my own project to apply my newly acquired knowledge,” explained Harini. “It was facilitated by an experienced leadership expert and offered a fast-paced and immersive experience that enhanced my leadership skills.”
Another success that she is especially proud of was being part of the winning team for the Business Innovation Lab contest – which requires students in teams of five to use design thinking to solve a real-world business problem and pitch it to a panel of industry partners. “It was a memorable and rewarding experience that highlighted the power of collaborative and iterative problem-solving,” said Harini.
“I highly recommend ambitious and self-motivated students to consider applying for the Master of Management program at MBS,” Harini continued. “The University of Melbourne experience is rewarding, so don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and engage with new people, have meaningful conversations, and connect with alumni to gain insights into their experiences. Every day at MBS is full of new and exciting experiences, so I encourage you to fully embrace the process and trust that it will be an amazing journey.”
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