On Wednesday 11th February, Grad Girls held their Tech Kick Off event in Melbourne. As a corporate partner, Clicks was invited to attend and engage with this year’s Grad Girls. So, armed with a box of Clicks merch and a truckload of knowledge about the tech job market, Tamara Ryf, Nicole Guala and Bernadette Miceli set up station.
It would be difficult to convey in words, with any accuracy, the vibe of the evening. The room was abuzz with excitement and electricity. As around 250 new and soon-to-be tech graduates walked around the room, at first cautiously, by the end, the energy had shifted many levels upwards.
We met so many young women determined to break into tech; and their enthusiasm, ambition and confidence is inspiring. Overlaying that, they just want to know how to get their Big Break. Given Clicks does not recruit specifically for graduate or intern positions, their initial reactions may have held a tinge of disappointment that their prospective opportunity was not simply standing behind our table.
After asking the right questions, from both sides, we had some real, compelling conversations about how Clicks can help them navigate their careers in tech; and this is where we saw the real power of the evening unfold.
There are so many things that a seasoned professional will take for granted as common knowledge, but this knowledge comes from experience, practice and self-assuredness acquired over time. So, directing their eager eyes to our newly launched Tech Grad Hub, we highlighted the importance of not just seeking out their opportunities, but being fully prepared for them.
And that just scratched the surface. Through this experience, we could see, first-hand, that this cohort was already embodying the skills needed for their foray into the workforce.
- Getting involved in programs aligned with their growth
- Networking and communication
- Articulating their interests, skills and motivation
- Willingness to learn
- Approachability and congeniality
Grad Girls supports and empowers women and gender diverse students undertaking tertiary studies to pursue a career in tech. Clicks is so proud to partner with Women 4 STEM’s Grad Girls program and be part of the wave of talent making its way into the tech and digital talent pool. We’ve just had a glimpse into the future, and it is bright.
