From student to Savills young property professional

Jasmin Fuller is just one of many university students who wants a career in property economics, and identifies Savills as the key to gaining valuable industry experience.

The second-year QUT student knows the importance of real-world experience, and through engaging in a work integrated learning (WIL) placement has landed a part time role with Savills Valuations and Advisory.

Jasmin represents one of the 21,000 QUT students who participate in WIL placements as part of their study, and through her placement Savills ensured she was ready to enter the workforce.

“I started working during one of the busiest times at the company and I was immediately part of a big team where your input counts,” the 19-year-old said.

Savills National Head of Valuation and Advisory Neil Murphy said the company took great pride in helping to mentor students as they took the next step into the real world.

“The first step is the hardest but once you have gained some real experience in the workplace it opens many more possibilities for their careers going forward,” Mr Murphy said.

“It feels good to know we had a small part in their career and are able to give them the work ethic that I know will hold them in good stead for any challenges as they progress.

“It is great to see how quickly they develop on what they have learnt at university and grow within our organisation.”

QUT has been rated first in Australia and 10th in the world for employer-student connections based on the 2016 QS Graduate Employability Ranking.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), Professor Suzi Derbyshire said the university would continue to adapt to provide transdisciplinary, entrepreneurial connections and opportunities for graduates to develop the skills and capabilities to thrive for the long term.

“This is deeply within our mission, within our grasp and within our capacity and ability,” Professor Derbyshire said.

“We are proactively supporting QUT students and alumni as they move between roles and switch careers so they can jump to customise personalised learning to better support them through their lives.”

QUT now has more than 6,300 partnerships with industry and community partners and has set a target for all graduating students to have completed a work integrated learning unit on completion of their degree by 2020.