The need for a pre-determined roadmap at the start of university has been replaced with an ability to choose modules and courses along the way as industries evolve and technology changes the rules of the game for so many companies.

UNSW Business School student, Meeval Muriankary will graduate shortly. She says emerging business leaders have a combination of adaptability, proactivity, and a strong sense of curiosity in common.

With a plan to boldly follow in the footsteps of the great business leaders in the modern workplace, the winner of the AFR Unilever Future Leader Award knows a university education reflects the changing needs of the industries that graduates ultimately enter.

“These leaders are always looking for opportunities to push out of their comfort zones to stay ahead of the curve, especially with all the rapid advances in technology currently changing the industry. They have a drive for learning and see new experiences and challenges as an opportunity to grow,” Muriankary says.

Power and glory

A glance at Australia’s most powerful corporate leaders reveals that there’s plenty of executives exuding calm confidence in the face of global instability.

Take Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn as an example. Comyn has emerged as the strongest voice of corporate Australia, according to a panel of experts for The Financial Review.

Combined with a stellar career climbing the corporate ladder with CommBank and Morgan Stanley, Comyn exudes a quiet confidence responsible for elevating him through the ranks as the bank grapples with a rise in bank scams and a cost of living crisis.

Since taking over the top role at the nation’s largest bank in 2018, Comyn has focused on delivering better digital experiences for customers, underpinned by strong risk management and better customer service.

Comyn speaks out on everything from intergenerational inequality and artificial intelligence to housing and tax policy, and recently struck an optimistic tone about the overall economic outlook, saying the ‘Australian economy remains fundamentally sound.’

It’s perhaps no surprise that Comyn is university educated, undertaking his Masters in Commerce, Finance with the UNSW Business School, Australia’s best business school for 2024, at the start of his career.

Career ready

Ultimately, a university education is about preparing students for the real word. “Today, employers are looking for more than just technical skills, with a bigger emphasis on soft skills such as thinking on your feet, adapting quickly and collaborating well with others.

“I feel that universities can really equip students by emphasising experiential learning opportunities and help them craft a unique portfolio of skills and experiences to discover their strengths and what sets them apart,” Muriankary says.

Staying up to date with trends, such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence also ensures that universities can help students learn topics relevant to the modern workplace and prepare them for the changing needs of any industry.

“UNSW Business School is really proactive when it comes to preparing students with core business and leadership skills we’ll need in the real world. An internal platform helps students track their progress in developing essential business skills through points gained from academic and other experiences.”

Aside from that, there’s plenty of hands-on experiences, such as a career accelerator that connects students with internship opportunities, industry partnerships and industry mentors, along with overseas project placements for those wanting to broaden their horizons, Muriankary says.

To learn more, visit https://www.unsw.edu.au/