There’s lots of reasons why employers LOVE graduates from regional universities, and why regional grads get jobs.
Charles Sturt University is one of the largest regional universities in the country. We’ve had plenty of feedback over the years from happy employers who can’t get enough of our grads. Which means Charles Sturt grads get jobs and are thriving in their careers.
And the 2024/25 Good Universities Guide lists us as being in the top two for graduate employment in the country. So we must be doing something right!
So why are Charles Sturt grads in such demand?
They’ve got the right attitude
When students graduate from Charles Sturt, they make an impression in the workplace. After all, if you combine expert knowledge, a strong work ethic and a can-do attitude, you’re going to get noticed.
Stephanie Holumbiyevska, Production and Operations Manager at HotHouse Theatre, loves employing Charles Sturt grads for just this reason.
“There are two things that I value most about my Charles Sturt graduate and student employees. Firstly, they’re incredibly competent in their jobs. Even when handling equipment they’re not familiar with, the basic understanding of technical theatre is there, so they’re able to work efficiently and effectively on the task required. And secondly, that they come to work with the right attitude – they’re happy, enthusiastic, polite and always willing to do what’s required to ensure productions are presented in the way they were originally designed.”
Taking the initiative at work with a smile on your face – that’s what happens when you get a degree that prepares you for your dream career.
Hands-on experience is a given
Charles Sturt graduates arrive at their first job perfectly prepared. They are ready to get down to business and succeed. That’s because we make sure that from day one of your course, you get hands-on learning. Putting learning into action with practical experience is key to making a difference.
Kay Nankervis is a lecturer in journalism at Charles Sturt. She has certainly found this to be the case when talking to employers in her subject area.
“Employers are hungry for Charles Sturt graduates. That’s because they know our grads get jobs because they are job-ready when they come out of uni. They know they’re going to have no problem with a Charles Sturt graduate being able to hit the ground running and start working straight away.”
Martin Berry, Senior Radiographer at Regional Imaging, sees this development of job-ready graduates when Charles Sturt medical radiation science students do practical work experience at his company.
“As an employer, you see these people when they’re 19, you see them when they’re 20, you see them when they’re 21 – and by the time they come back as fourth-year students, they’re exactly what you need and exactly what you want.”
Gaining hands-on experience as part of your course means you’re super prepared for the ‘real world’. Which means the transition between study and employment is smooth sailing. You’re used to the routines, you’re used to what’s required by employers – and this sets you apart from other potential employees.
Our grads go the extra mile
Students at Charles Sturt don’t just focus on themselves. They recognise that they are part of a community – at uni and beyond. And employers really appreciate all the extracurricular stuff our students get up to that they can bring to their job.
To take just one example, the Student Heart Project was established three years ago by Charles Sturt University students and through numerous initiatives has raised funds to help purchase two defibrillators for local communities.
Graduating paramedicine student Brandon Robinson explained how the project works.
“The Student Heart Project raises awareness about the need for publicly accessible defibrillators. Every year we host an event called the Red and Blue Ball. Then, the money raised goes towards helping fund ideas we want to put into action. We have collected enough to half fund two defibrillators, and working with the local police funding the other half, we have been able to get a device placed at the local area command here in Port Macquarie and one in Kempsey.”
Imagine that: making a difference to people’s lives during study – and having something very impressive for a student to put on their résumé.
Job success starts at Charles Sturt
Want to find out more about why Charles Sturt grads get jobs? Talk to our friendly team.