Download In Touch Spring 2011 here (pdf 2mb) - Alumni - Murdoch ...

Alumni telltheir storiesLarisa Vanstien(bsc Biological Sciences, 1990)I started out in research and clinical/diagnostic work in the medical area, andworked in London for a couple of years.On returning to Perth, I somehow foundmyself working for State Governmentorganisations in science education andscience communications…and lovedit, so have remained in these areas(and the public service) ever since. I amcurrently Communications Managerat the Department of Fisheries, wheremy science background comes in veryuseful – and where I meet and work witha number of Murdoch staff and otherMurdoch graduates as well.En Khong(bcom Professional Accounting and ElectronicCommerce, 2003/Honours, 2004)I started as a graduate accountant in2004 with a local firm (Stirling Partners),specialising in all aspects of accounting,taxation, superannuation and businessservices. Since then, I have beenpromoted through the ranks within thefirm and obtained my qualification as aChartered Accountant. I am currentlya Manager with Stirling Partners andmy day-to-day work sees me consultingclients on accounting, tax and businesssolutions as well as supervising a teamof five accountants. I love my work asit’s fresh and exciting with each clientpresenting a unique set of challenges. Iam also a Focus Session Leader and ExamMarker for the Institute of CharteredAccountants’ CA Program. One of myinterests is photography which sees medoing the odd wedding/family portraitover weekends and entering photocompetitions. Two of my photographsare featured in the UWA Friends of theGroups 2011 Calendar in which I was thefirst runner up. My wife Kin (CombinedBSc Vet Biology and BVMS 2007) isalso from Murdoch and is currently aveterinarian specialising in emergencymedicine at Balcatta Veterinary Hospital.As this magazine went to press we wereexpecting the arrival of our first baby girlin August.Melvin Hoe(ba Mass Communication, 2006)I have been writing for Men’s Healthmagazine in Singapore for close to fiveyears. The magazine is anchored inhealth, nutrition, fitness, weight lossand sex, so that’s been my beat for awhile. My work has involved a constantgeneration of story ideas relevant to themagazine’s branding, research, profileinterviews (and in particular, asking theright questions that would translate toa good story), branding, online writing,and of course matching my work to strictdeadlines.Jerolina Rankin(bsc Environmental Science, 2005)After Uni I went to TAFE to study anAdvanced Diploma in Engineering (Civiland Structural) in 2006. CurrentlyI am working with Main Roads WAas an Engineering Associate and ambased in Carnarvon. My current roleinvolves project delivery around theGascoyne Region and also assisting inthe environmental aspects associatedwith road projects. I enjoy my role whereI can use both of my qualifications. Theproject locations can take you to somebeautiful parts of our country like CoralBay, Exmouth and Shark Bay and they areonly a short distance away. My husbandSteve is also a Murdoch Graduate (BSc inHealth and Environment) and is currentlyworking for Main Roads WA in Carnarvonas well. His role mainly involves OSH andBusiness Support. It’s great working atthe same place together.Amber Rose(bsc Biomedical Science and Molecular Biology/bforensic Biology & Toxicology, 2008)After Uni I mostly travelled and didn’tuse my degree at all! I am now livingin Oxford and studying for an MSc inApplied Human Nutrition at OxfordBrookes University, where I am alsoworking full-time in the Business Schoolas an administrator in the InternationalCentre for Coaching and LeadershipDevelopment. Once my MSc iscompleted I am hoping to move intointernational nutrition and public healthpolicies.Erin Foong Sook Ping(bcom Marketing and Marketing Management,2007)I worked in an oil and gas firm for abouta year and moved on to FMCG lines. I wasin the perishable sector for a year‐andhalfand then ventured into personalcare as a Brand Executive. I am currentlyworking in a brand consulting firm asSenior Brand Executive; brushing up mycommunication skills as well as gettingexposure on brand research and strategicskills.Karen Sutton(bsc Biology and Molecular Biology, 2003)I worked for the Institute of Immunologyand Infectious Diseases for eight years.I was initially based at Royal PerthHospital and with a large amount offunding from the federal governmentthey now have a new building atMurdoch Uni. I have been working forSilver Chain as a Quality Co-ordinatorfor the past three months after theexperience gained in being involved inaccreditation at IIID and was recentlyaccepted into Curtin’s MBA program.Summer Goodwin(ba Mass Communication/Public Relations andJournalism, 2005)I moved to Darwin after graduatingto break into journalism. I worked forthe NT News for two‐and‐a‐half yearsand then in PR for Tourism NT. I alsodid freelance work for magazines andthe NT Government. This led to beingheadhunted for a marketing role, writingonline content for Charles DarwinUniversity. I relocated to Melbourne inJanuary this year after securing a positionat Swinburne University of Technology asa PR Executive.22