I was fortunate to meet Julia during a guest lecture she was presenting on safety management systems in a final year course at RMIT School of Engineering.

Immediately impressed by how effectively she not only communicated both technical and industry knowledge to an undergraduate audience, but listened, I knew it would be remiss of me not to connect. 

It is not very often that a senior and experienced leader from industry gives the level of attention and dedication towards her students as Julia.

It is readily discernible that Julia is committed, towards shaping positive learning outcomes that ultimately contribute to sustainable pathways for graduate employability.

Julia is someone who has imparted both extensive technical knowledge and industry insight in the time I have been fortunate enough to benefit from her guidance and mentorship.

Julia was kind enough to speak at an industry panel presented for aviation and aerospace students from seven universities last year, and will be a guest speaker at a forthcoming interdisciplinary mentoring workshop for students at Deakin University. She has continued to provide ongoing insight, guidance and positive reinforcement, in pursuit of achieving the unrelenting professional goals expected of us as graduates.

The end of a degree is an especially critical time, where this leadership counts most. What I’ve really taken away from regular discourse about professional development with Julia is her straight forward approach. Both honest and respectful, she seamlessly plays devils advocate and challenges you to consider alternative perspectives, and weigh out all available options.

The graduate job market is by no means a straightforward task, but when guided by the steady hand of an experienced and dedicated mentor and industry expert, it makes taking the right steps seem all the more achievable.