What draws recruiters from the nation’s biggest companies and government agencies to Central Queensland University? It’s not the tropical sun.

Cherie Herbst, Graduate Coordinator for Queensland Treasury (in Brisbane) recruits students from a number of disciplines and is especially interested in targetting Accounting and Accounting Information Systems specialists. She recently recruited at CQU because “CQU students are team-players and possess transferable skills. They’re also nice, really nice people.” Consulting directly with many CQU Rockhampton students and other potential employees in Bundaberg, Gladstone and Mackay, Herbst -- like many recruiters -- emphasised the need for students, especially young students, to have experience beyond the classroom.

“Work performed outside of university is very important to us. If you show up to work at Coles or Woolworths every day to stock shelves, I’ll know you’re a responsible and dedicated worker”, Herbst told students.

CQU Careers Advisors across all campuses assisted 1100 students last year considering employment options. Some employers, like Queensland Treasury, make a significant commitment to new employees, immediately placing recent graduates like Andrew Siganto in a professional development program that compliments leadership and personal skills acquired at CQU.

Siganto is enthused about being one of 22 graduates in Queensland Treasury’s 12-month graduate program in Brisbane, which he joined in January.

“It’s even better than I expected,” said Siganto who credits his CQU experience with helping him win the prized appointment after finishing at CQU in 2001. “Being a member of the CQU Accounting Forum and having previous job experience while studying at CQU probably helped to give me the edge over other graduates.” Robyn Kennedy, Manager CQU Careers Services, said there were outstanding employment opportunities for current students. Several hundred employers in the business community and public sector actively recruit CQU students each year.

Herbst will continue to recruit CQU students because it makes sense to her. “CQU students like Andrew Siganto are good for Queensland Treasury, good for CQU and good for Queensland.” Employers and CQU students should contact Central Queensland University’s Career Counselling Office on (07) 4930 9456 or (07) 4930 6360.