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Student Profile: Shakir Karimby Edward PemberThis edition’s student profi le is on Shakir Karim, a long-standing CQUniversity student who is now working for SAIGlobal whilst completing his Master of Informatics by research. He is a very busy man but still had time to come andshare his insights and experiences with me for the Newsletter. Indeed Shakir has appeared numerous times in theCQUni News (check the next page for links to these stories). I don’t want to repeat too much about Shakir’s past, aswhat we are really interested in is how he achieved what so many others want (including myself when I came out ofUni) – a good job with a successful career path. Having said that it’s important to list some of Shakir’s achievementsso far: he has twice won awards at SAI Global for his contributions to the workplace and is a Golden Key InternationalHonour Society Executive Member (check out this prestigious group at www.goldenkey.org). Read on for some greatinsights into one of our star students.Q: “How long have you been in Australia?”A: “I arrived in 2002 when I was only 17 and a half. I started at SouthernQueensland Uni in Surry Hills, but some friends of mine heard that CQUniwas really cool so we transferred in 2003, that was back when CQUni was at333 Kent St.”Q: “How have you enjoyed your time at CQUni?”A: “It’s been great- I did my Bachelors and Masters in Information Systemshere, now under the supervision of Dr Ergun Gide I’m doing my Masters byresearch. I can’t tell you how great my other supervisors are, can I mentionthem too? Dr Saleh Wasimi, my secondary supervisor and Dr William Guo,the course co-ordinator are really fantastic. And I’m getting to help myhome country through all this work too- it’s great!”Shakir Karim with Chancellor RennieFritschy and former Vice-Chancellor JohnRickardQ: “How was it when you first arrived in Australia; you were pretty young?”A: “It was really diffi cult and challenging, I had no relatives and few friends. I read the article on homesickness in thelast edition and agreed with a lot of what it said. Moving to a new country is hard!”Q: “So how did you deal with it? What helped you?”A: “I mixed with other people as much as I could. Outside of Uni I connected with the Bangladeshi Community, butalso inside the Uni I made sure I met new people. CQUni is so lucky, we have so many cultures represented- theAsian, or Eastern, community helped me settle in too, as well as other students from the Sub-Continent. But I reallypushed myself to integrate and meet new people, it really helped especially because you think people are ‘like this’and they turn out to be just like you! It makes you feel normal and accepted- and that really helps. So after about 2years I had a pretty solid network, and had the support I needed to keep going.”Q: “Let’s end with the usual question- what advice would you give to new students?”A: “What I just said really- get involved... Also something I really believe is that if you want to do something, do ittoday, otherwise you’re just wasting your time. Hmm, what else? Start your work early, and apply what you learn inclass straight away, don’t wait until Week 12 to start studying for exams! Finally I’d say ask lots of questions of yourtutors and lecturers, send emails and interact with them, they are here to help you so take advantage of that... It’sreally important to know what you don’t know- that’s how we learn, and you know what? I’m still doing it in my worktoday!”If you would like to be interviewed by Ed, drop us an email at newsletter@syd.cqu.edu.au and share your story!!