Makiko looks forward to working for Mitsubishi
Published on 10 March, 2011
Bachelor of Hospitality degree holder Makiko Mukeada is proud to have completed her studies at CQUniversity's Sydney Campus. She told UniNews that what attracted her to the University was its reputation for "looking after the international students".
Makiko was educated in the United States and Japan and came to Australia in 2009. She did six years of early education in the U.S. and studied two years of science in Japan. After studying for her diploma at a private business college in Sydney, Makiko was advised by her agent to transfer to CQUniversity and gain credit for success in her previous studies.
Story and photo by Dr Chris Keane
Although a novice in the field of business and management, her drive to succeed saw her achieve numerous distinctions in her Hospitality degree, including the challenging course ‘Strategic Management'.
Makiko says she found her tutors "very supportive and helpful" when learning to prepare group work assignments. With an excellent spoken command of English and an outgoing personality, she soon became team leader of a small group of fellow students, including a Swede, a Korean and a Brazilian.
Managing the tensions of group work sometimes proved difficult. Makiko learnt to bridge inter-cultural communication problems by breaking down complex questions into simple tasks. She had to make unpopular decisions about team discipline and cohesion.
All of this gave her an appreciation of the challenges managers face working with culturally diverse employees.
"It was nice to learn about different perspectives other students have about learning and work", she says.
Makiko used her group learning experience to create exam study groups. She found this approach to exam revision an effective way of digesting a big load of work materials and readings. By allocating different tasks to the study group the exam discussion time became more focused and productive.
Job searching was never far from her mind. Late last year Makiko visited the United States to attend a big ‘Career Expo' in Boston.
"There were over 100 companies participating in the Expo and I was offered three exciting positions," she says.
Secondary interviews were held in Japan and Makiko has decided to work for Mitsubishi Electric Co. This month she returns home to take up her new position, "hopefully in sales or marketing," she says.
The staff of CQUniversity wish Makiko all the best with her future career.