Jade Butler

☕🌟 Espresso Exchanges Episode 9 🌟☕ This week, I had the enriching opportunity to converse with Shivani Meharwade, a dedicated Master of Creative Arts student at Deakin University and a City of Melbourne student ambassador. Shivani is passionate about art, performance, English literature, and particularly, the transformative synergy of Creative Arts Wellness. 📍Q: Art therapy often faces skepticism in both the medical and art communities. How do you address these challenges and advocate for the legitimacy and efficacy of creative arts therapy? Shivani: "As a psychology major graduate, I aim to clarify that art wellness and art therapy are distinct. I label my workshops as ‘art wellness’ to focus on relaxation, self-realization, gratitude, and reflection—helping participants spend quality time with themselves. My goal is to illuminate mental health issues and promote mindfulness, especially as I plan to extend my work to India, where art therapy is still emerging." 📍Q: In your role as a City of Melbourne student ambassador, how do you incorporate your passion for the arts and mental health awareness into your responsibilities? Shivani: "Understanding the cultural shock international students face, I incorporate compassion into my interactions. My plans include conducting workshops where I can educate students about grounding exercises and informing them about mental health support facilities guiding students to helpful platforms. We organize tours to grocery stores, cafes, and I am initiating visits to art galleries to enrich their cultural and emotional well-being." 📍Q: What advice would you give to students or professionals interested in pursuing a career in creative arts therapy? Shivani: "Patience is crucial in this field. Creative arts therapy isn't as recognized as other professions, so be prepared to explain what you do frequently. Continuously explore, learn, and innovate in your practices. Stay hungry for ideas, research extensively, and keep your approaches dynamic to make your work truly reflective of your vision and personality." 📍One message for the world: Shivani: “Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” — Rainer Maria Rilke ✨ Key Takeaways: Shivani's approach to art wellness illustrates the power of art in fostering mental health and personal growth. Her commitment to educating and integrating creative therapies into community settings underscores the potential of arts to heal and empower, particularly among students navigating new environments. #EspressoExchanges #DeakinUniversity #ArtTherapy #MentalHealthAwareness #CreativeArts

57

3 Comments

Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a team of dedicated university students from across Australia to complete an industry report within the SAIEP Industry Projects June 2024 hold by Practera. This program connected me with a team of dedicated student consultants, where we completed an in-depth industry report for a non-profit organization. Throughout this project, we engaged in thorough market analysis, gathered valuable insights, and crafted strategic recommendations to help our client overcome their business challenges and expand their impact. 🌟 My teammates and I conducted detailed research, identifying key opportunities and potential challenges. We developed strategies to leverage various areas. 🟢Some key aspects of our research included: • Government Support: Exploring educational grants and subsidies aimed at improving vocational and adult education. • Strategic Partnerships: Forming alliances with local businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies to enhance program offerings. • New Program Development: Addressing emerging community needs such as mental health support, digital literacy, and environmental sustainability. 🔴 Our main challenges: • Data Collection: Ensuring the accuracy and relevance of data from diverse sources. • Stakeholder Engagement: Coordinating effectively with multiple stakeholders to gather comprehensive insights. A special thanks to my talented teammates Henry Zheng, Arhaan Gupta, Jun Xi Koh, Eleasa Beh and Jarred Lin for their dedication and collaboration throughout this project. This experience has been incredibly enriching, and I look forward to applying these insights to drive impactful growth in the education sector. #SAIEP #Practera #CommunityCollegesAustralia #IndustryExperienceProgram #InternationalBusiness #TeamWork

37

6 Comments

Hi, I am working on a Capstone project for my Graduate Certificate in Learning in Teaching at RMIT. I have prepare a project video pitch. I'd be incredibly grateful if you could take a few moments to watch it and share any feedback for improvement. 2 minutes video Pitch: Project Brief: How2RMIT Canvas Course: Transforming Student Orientation The How2RMIT Canvas course is an innovative solution designed to streamline the orientation process for new students at RMIT Vietnam. This digital platform addresses the challenge of information overload and fragmented resources that new students often face. By providing a centralized, interactive, and flexible learning experience, the course aims to enhance student engagement and preparedness. Key features include 24/7 accessibility, interactive content (videos, quizzes), and comprehensive coverage of essential university information. The course not only fulfills TEQSA compliance requirements but also introduces students to the Canvas learning environment. By tracking student participation, we can identify those who may need additional support early on. This project represents a significant step towards improving the student onboarding experience, fostering confidence, and setting the foundation for academic success at RMIT Vietnam. If you are RMITers, you can access the course here --- > https://lnkd.in/gjYWMcBg

73

9 Comments

Beyond assisting organisations in defining and embodying their purpose and values, our team also collaborates with leaders to help them uncover and live their own purpose. Through this process, participants often experience profound 'aha' moments, discovering actionable insights to realign their work and personal lives with what is most important to them. Some even recognise they've been on a path misaligned with their true intentions and use this as a springboard for significant, purpose-driven decisions. Genevieve Deaconos' journey is a prime example. In a Purposeful Career Planning Workshop our CEO Danielle Duell led for QUT (Queensland University of Technology) alumni, Genevieve realised her longing for a more purposeful career path. Read more about her inspiring career transition and current role at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, where she leverages her talents to ensure nature's preservation for generations to come. Congratulations, Genevieve, and thank you for sharing your purpose-driven journey. If you're interested in learning more about our purpose and values alignment workshops and coaching programs for individuals and/or teams, please reach out. #purposefulleaders #purposeinpractice #purposeledbusiness

7

TL/DR: What did you eat for breakfast at the weekend? A cohort of tasty designers? Our Sharks did.   Last weekend, 13 of our post-graduate design students completed their 7-week module in Creative Entrepreneurship by facing their deepest fears, and two of New Zealand’s fiercest sharks, in a live Shark Tank experiment.   Each student was given 7 minutes to present an amazing new product or service that incredibly, didn’t exist 7 weeks ago.   Back then, they were asked to cast themselves in the role of founder of a start-up that uses an emerging (or re-emerging) technology to solve a real-world problem in an innovative way.   For emerging technology, think AI, biochemistry, solar, robotics, etc, and for ‘re-merging’ think anything ancient, forgotten, or obsolete.   Then through a process of visioneering, questioning, R&D, prototyping and iterating, they would build their product (or service), develop a business plan, then reveal their immaculately conceived baby to our panel of world-famous sharks (who we’d deliberately starved).   How would the students fare? Would they get ripped to shreds?   Our sharking duo, Simon Coley and Wendy Kerr, are no strangers to this game having survived it in the real world. Simon, founder, the Karma Drinks range, believes in doing good through trade, building bridges (and community), the power of optimism, great design, and the wonderful combination of creativity and stupidity that one must surely possess in order to embark upon any world-changing endeavour. Wendy Kerr, angel investor, C-suite whisperer, in-demand speaker, best-selling author, strategist and FemTech ally, and Icehouse Ventures incubator, has seen it all. Chewed it up. And spat most of it out.   So how did it go? We saw innovations in EdTech, MedTech, more sustainable packing design, gaming at the intersection of fitness, AI-powered apps and services, an intelligent shoe that understands your rheumatic pain, and more. (I took the tough decision not to show the work, lest the students pursue their own IP.)   And the Sharks' reaction? Did they smell the fear? Were they tempted by the fresh meat on offer? Simon: “…it was a pleasure to be able to review the work shared by these budding Creative Entrepreneurs. The standard of ideas that were commercially viable was surprisingly high given the short length of time they’d had to develop. Even more impressive was the common thread of social entrepreneurship running through all the concepts.”   Wendy, on how the business ideas/solutions presented struck a chord: “The way the students have been able to parlay the personal into business opportunities is enviable.”   And on the way the student’s received feedback, took it onboard, and built better because of it: “…Watching all of you being coachable, and being able to learn in the moment…was remarkable.” Now, to the patent office! Kate Humphries Sarah Elsie Baker Media Design School Matthew Stevens Darryn Melrose Scott Thompson-Whiteside #creativity #tech

26

7 Comments

Recent reports dispute the idea that international students are the primary cause of Australia's low housing vacancy rates and rental fee increases. Instead, these are attributed to supply-side factors. 🏠 According to data, rental costs began increasing in 2020, before the return of international students post-pandemic. International students make up only 4% of all renters and most live in purpose-built student accommodation. 📚 Read more about Australia's rental housing crisis report: https://lnkd.in/dubaYWCE #InternationalStudents #StudentAccommodation #HousingCrisis #Australia

5

🌟 I am excited to share our recent project with the Australian Retirement Trust (ART) as part of our MGB372 Capstone Unit at QUT (Queensland University of Technology)🌟 Our proposal aimed to address ART's business challenges and associated HR issues. We presented integrated solutions with multiple HR strategies to create value for various stakeholders: 1. Augmenting Human Capabilities with AI (my focus) 2. Security Commitment with an HR & IT Partnership (Elizabeth Payne's focus) 💻Our Team's Key Contributions: - Chevonne Palupe led our analysis on current and future trends, assessing their impact on stakeholders and ensuring our solutions are forward-thinking and relevant whilst still creating value. - Kimberly Setosta conducted a thorough financial cost-benefit analysis, highlighting the long-term value and efficiencies gained from our solutions. - Kezia Price identified key contingency factors and people challenges, ensuring our recommendations are practical and sustainable. - Fraser McLardy created a beautiful and detailed implementation timeline, showcasing the steps and benefits of our solutions. 💡Key Learning and Takeaways: - Teamwork: Collaborating closely with my team and our mentor Michelle Keeffe was invaluable. We learned the importance of diverse perspectives and effective communication. - Technology Integration: Understanding how AI can transform HR processes and improve efficiency was eye-opening. - Stakeholder Impact: We gained insights into how technological advancements affect various stakeholders, emphasising the need for clear communication and training. Working directly with ART was a transformative experience, demonstrating the potential of combining technology and human expertise to drive innovation! I am so proud of what our team achieved under Michelle Keeffe's guidance! 💼🤖🔒 And thank you to Artemis Chang for facilitating such an incredible Work Integrated Learning experience! #QUT #WIL #CapstoneProject #AI #HR #Teamwork #Innovation #FutureOfWork #ART

11

2 Comments

I recently published my first news article on Salience as a student reporter! About two months ago, on a Wednesday afternoon, I sent an email to Choy Ka Fai, an artist featured in the Sydney Biennale at Chau Chak Wing Museum, asking if he had time for an interview. The good news was that he agreed to my interview request. The bad news was that he only had one hour available at 2 PM on Friday. Despite having just 48 hours before I would become a reporter conducting an interview, I hadn’t even started drafting my interview questions. After taking about five anxiety-relief pills, I finally managed to write what I considered a decent interview script the next day. However, I began to worry about what kind of person Ka Fai would be to interact with. Would he be as unpredictable as his art, dismissive of my naïve questions, or perhaps a short-tempered person who would hang up after just a few sentences? Believe me, in those 48 hours, I imagined countless worst-case scenarios. Fortunately, around 50 minutes after the scheduled time, when I had already moved from intense anxiety to a calmer state, Ka Fai finally appeared on my small computer screen. Contrary to all my speculations over the past two days, Ka Fai was a very kind and friendly person. We talked about the inspiration behind his work, what he wanted to convey to the audience through it, his past career, and his current situation. Although this interview is just a small part of the news article, it gave me the confidence to overcome the challenges of the other two interviews and the final writing. This news article means a lot to me in ways I haven’t had time to write down. Thank you to all those who helped me in the process of making this news.

1

Global research led by RMIT with Google has found sextortion to be more widespread among adults than initially thought, with 1 in 7 adults experiencing someone threatening to share intimate images. The study surveyed over 16,000 adults across Australia, North and Central America, Europe and Asia and found 14.5% of respondents reported being victims of sextortion, while 4.8% admitted to being perpetrators. LGBTQ+ people, men and younger respondents were more likely to report both victimisation and perpetration.  The most common type of perpetrator was a former or current partner, but men were more likely than women to report being victimised by a colleague or carer. Despite men being more likely to be perpetrators, the study found they were also slightly more at risk of being victims of sextortion.  Lead researcher and RMIT Professor Nicola Henry said one possible explanation could be because sextortion scams were more likely to target young men.  “For financial forms of sextortion, scammers trick people into sharing their intimate images, or lead them to believe they have evidence of the victim visiting pornographic sites,” said Henry, from RMIT’s RMIT Social Equity Research Centre.  "They then use this evidence to threaten to share intimate images if they don’t comply with their demands, like paying money or sending more intimate images.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQUVyY-C Rebecca Umbach

36

🌟 Thrilled to Announce My 20+ Hours Completion of the Student Life Volunteering Program! 🌟 I am excited to share that I have successfully completed over 20 hours of volunteering at Swinburne University of Technology This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I want to take a moment to reflect on what I've learned and accomplished. 🌟What I Loved 🐝 Team Collaboration: Working in teams has been a highlight. I enjoyed collaborating with dedicated peers, sharing ideas, and achieving common goals. 🐝Engaging with People: Talking to people, understanding their perspectives, and fostering a sense of community was truly fulfilling. 🐝Event Organization: From planning to execution, organizing projects and events was both challenging and exhilarating. 🌟Applying to the Workforce: The skills and experiences gained during this volunteering program are directly applicable to the professional world. Here’s how: 🐝Teamwork and Communication: Effective collaboration and clear communication are essential in any workplace. My experience has honed these skills, making me a better team player. 🐝Project Management: Organizing events has taught me valuable project management skills, including planning, coordination, and problem-solving. 🐝Community Engagement: Engaging with a diverse group of people has enhanced my interpersonal skills, crucial for building strong professional relationships. Key Outcomes and Achievements: 🐝Successfully Organized Events: Played a key role in planning and executing multiple student life events, leading to high participation and positive feedback. 🐝Enhanced Skills: Developed leadership, communication, and organizational skills through hands-on experience. 🌟Achieved Milestones: Completed over 20 hours of volunteer service, demonstrating commitment and dedication. 🌟Objective: To contribute positively to student life and foster community engagement. 🌟Metrics: High event participation rates, positive attendee feedback, and successful completion of volunteer hours. 🌟Tangible Achievements: 🐝Increased Event Participation: Helped boost student participation in events, contributing to a more vibrant campus life. 🐝Positive Feedback: Received positive feedback from both attendees and organizers, reflecting the success of our events. A heartfelt thank you to the volunteering team (Janice Gvalda, Joanna Foo and Stephany Landinez ) at Swinburne Student life for their unwavering support and encouragement. Looking forward to applying these experiences and skills to future professional endeavors. #Volunteering #StudentLife #EventManagement #Teamwork #CommunityEngagement #ProfessionalDevelopment #SwinburneUniversityOfTechnology

22

3 Comments

I'll be presenting at the STARS Student Success Conference in Melbourne next week #unistars. I'd love to hear how others are measuring the equity of their initiatives and making their co-curricular programs more inclusive. Presentation title: Your cohort by numbers – mapping equity of participation in co-curricular student experience initiatives. Abstract: Advancing equity is a priority in higher education. As many universities work toward parity in their student cohorts, the University of Queensland (UQ) Faculty of Science Student Experience team is monitoring student participation in co-curricular activities to assess the parity of participation and identify areas for improvement. In this presentation we will share how we collect and analyse these data to improve our programs. We will facilitate discussion about how equity of participation is measured at other institutions and share good practice tips for making co-curricular programs more inclusive.

15

1 Comment

In celebration of World Art Day on 15 April, we would like to shine a spotlight on Nhi Lu, an inspiring Harding Miller alumna who is talented in art 🎨 Nhi is currently studying a combined degree of Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil)/Bachelor of Project Management at the University of Sydney, a degree she has chosen because she was fascinated by the dichotomy between the underprivileged living state and infrastructure of her local community and the more modern and lustrous tourist attractions while growing up in Vietnam. Nhi's interest in art has encouraged creativity and out-of-the-box thinking in studying engineering as it helps her to approach problems with a more innovative mindset, leading to novel solutions and designs. Nhi recalled completing a project where she was required to build a model bridge out of paddlepop sticks in her first year. By integrating artistic principles into the project, she was able to enhance both the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of the final design. Nhi explained, "By integrating artistic principles into my engineering project, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the intersection of art and science." Nhi's interest in arts first sparked in Year 8 when she was overcoming a difficult time. She started drawing as a means of escapism but over time, she grew an immense appreciation for not only the aesthetic of art but also the history it encompasses. Nhi's most prized piece is her HSC artwork, an A2 realism drawing of her best friend, which she worked on for 3-4 months. Nhi described her artwork as "evoking a sense of human connection in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time". When starting a new project, Nhi gathers inspiration from a variety of sources and brainstorms ideas. After brainstorming, she selects the most promising ideas to develop further and visualise how each idea might be executed; then, she chooses the one that interests her the most. When encountering creative blocks, Nhi takes breaks because stepping away from the project can provide her much-needed mental clarity and perspective. Nhi also said, "I remind myself that creative blocks are a natural part of the creative process and that failure is often a stepping stone to success. Instead of viewing setbacks as obstacles, I see them as opportunities to learn, grow, and iterate on my ideas until I find a solution that works." May Nhi’s story inspire you to continue pursuing your passions and interests while embracing failure as part of the learning process without fear! #HMEF #WorldArtDay #Scholarships #GirlsEducation

19

In light of the recent increase in the Australian student visa fee from $700 to $1,600, such a change has generated significant feedback from the international student community. While this substantial hike has been met with concern and frustration among prospective students and their families, I believe it is crucial to approach this development with a balanced perspective. The abrupt increase in visa fees undeniably poses a financial burden on students who aspire to pursue their education in Australia. For many, this rise represents a significant obstacle, potentially deterring talented individuals from choosing Australia as their study destination. The increased cost can be particularly challenging for students from countries with weaker currencies or lower income levels, thereby impacting diversity and inclusivity within Australian educational institutions. Despite these valid concerns, it is important to acknowledge the Australian government’s ongoing efforts to maintain the high standards and stability of its educational and societal framework. Australia’s commitment to providing world-class education, fostering a safe and supportive environment for students, and ensuring robust infrastructure and resources is commendable. These attributes continue to make Australia a highly attractive destination for international students. I appreciate the complexities and the fiscal requirements involved in sustaining such a high-quality educational system. However, I urge the authorities to consider the financial implications for students and explore ways to mitigate the impact of this fee increase. In recognition of the rationale behind the visa fee adjustment, I hope that the government will take into account the feedback from the international student community and strive to find a balance that supports both the quality of education and the financial feasibility for students. This reflection is my personal view and does not represent the opinion of my organization. #StudyAustralia #AustralianEducation #InternationalStudent #StudyAbroad #HigherEducation

67

2 Comments

🚀 Preparing to launch a business? Our FREE Business Startup Checklist is here to guide you through some of the most important steps! From the essentials to branding and web design we've got you covered. Download it now and start your journey to success! 📈✨ #BusinessChecklist #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #BusinessTips #Branding #WebDesign #BusinessLaunch #FreeDownload

1

A research team at Deakin University, are undertaking a research project about workplace design, including the design of the home office space. This study explores how elements of workplace design such as light, ventilation and greenery may impact on employees' alertness, wellbeing, and productivity within the workplace. You are invited to participate in the study by completing an online survey. Participation is entirely voluntary and anonymous. You can complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gYwK88mn You are welcome to share this post with your networks by forwarding it to any relevant contacts who you think may be interested in participating in the research study. The study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: HEAG-H 45_2024) and any questions can be answered by A/Prof. Arlene Walker on arlene.walker@deakin.edu.au, Emmett Graham on s222085171@deakin.edu.au, or Sharel Nagpal on s223187878@deakin.edu.au.

4

As I near the completion of my Master of Public Policy at Monash University, I am thrilled to have recently completed my second-to-last unit, Professional Enhancement A. This course has been instrumental in honing my communication, leadership, and meta skills. Reflecting on my recent unit experience, I had the opportunity to delve into my strengths through Talentpredix. Excited to share my top five areas: 1. Curiosity; 2. Leadership; 3. Organisation; 4. Ownership; and 5. Self-development. Have you explored your talents through TalentPredix or a similar survey? I am curious to hear about your results and insights! Share your journey below 👇 The second part of the unit was an elective module, for which I chose Ethical Leadership. This module explored leadership from both traditional and contemporary theoretical perspectives, moving from the conventional leader-follower dynamic to modern concepts like self-leadership. It also examined leadership from a practical standpoint, investigating the psychological reasons behind ethical failures and helping me to develop an understanding of my leadership styles. A key takeaway from Professional Enhancement A is the value of planning, whether that be short-term planning, like setting three minimum daily aims, or setting long-term goals. I am excited to take some of the ideas and skill that I learnt from Renata Bernarde, Alice Gibson, Assoc Prof Vicki Peel and Dr. Marianne Roux for the next chapter ahead!

17

3 Comments

A Human Rights Framework could make a difference in the lives of children and young people.

2