1st of March, 2012 – ECNA’s inaugural First Year Mixer event.

The first step into university is always a daunting one. However, it is perhaps one of the best opportunities to start developing strong networks.  In keeping with this aim, ECNA’s First Year Mixer centred around speed networking.

The structured networking part of the event was kicked off by ECNA’s President, as he shared his own experiences and knowledge with the crowd.  The much anticipated speed networking followed this, where students were allowed all of three minutes to connect with each other attendee. Representatives from clubs and societies sponsored by the Faculty of Business & Economics were also in amongst the crowd, mingling with first years and sharing their own wealth of knowledge.

Networking is key to success, and as such, the sooner you start doing it, the better! Hopefully students who attended the event took inspiration not only from the clubs & societies leaders they had met, but from the new friends they made.

Step out of your comfort zone and make the most out of university!

Are you a university student and interested in making a difference? ECNA is looking for enthusiastic, committed students to be part of their committee for 2012.

We have positions open for a variety of roles. Whether you’re strong leader, great organiser or artistic media designer we have roles that best suit your talents and objectives. Come explore the opportunities with us!

For further details: Click Here

Email your resume and one page cover letter to recruitment@ecna.com.au and good luck!

September 15, 2011 – ECNA’s inaugural Networking Your Way to Success event. It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. This often-used phrase formed the cornerstone for ECNA’s inaugural Networking Your Way To Success.

Learning only from the best, students tapped into the knowledge and experiences of networking professional, Bev Brough. Interactive and engaging, Bev’s seminar drew attention to the importance of effective networking – a learned skill needed to build and maintain connections.

It is never too early to begin networking, and true to Bev’s words, students wasted no time connecting with representatives from Allens Arthur Robinson, Arup, Aurecon, Blake Dawson, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and Orica. Without question, the Yasuko Hiraoko Room saw the making of many new connections, and the platform for many more to come.

By Sara P

Networking is an essential life skill because it helps you make connections with people and build and develop lasting relationships, which you can use to your benefit. Networking is about who knows you. Select several networking events to attend as much as your academic schedule permits and become known as someone who can be trusted and is dependable. Be a curious friend; find out much as possible about your classmates and their interests, along with their families and parents’ occupations as it can provide valuable information when you want to promote for a cause you are passionate about or pull off an event with lasting impact. Be sure to reciprocate with information that will help others.

Here are some key networking tips:

• Begin to brainstorm a list of potential networking contacts. See if you can come up with about 150, but don’t feel bad if you can’t. Any number is a good start, and the list is sure to grow the more involved you get with extracurricular activities and friends.

• Sign up with one or more networking sites on the World Wide Web. Search for contact people that would be relevant to your needs and get in touch.

• Find out if campus career services office keeps a database of alumni that could be added to your network relevant to the field you want to pursue.

• Consider creating a “networking card”, a business card for those not employed, so you have something to hand out to people you meet. This will enable them to get in touch with you later.

• Start introducing yourself to every guest speaker you meet in classes. Give them your networking card…more

August 18, 2011 – ECNA held its long anticipated Overseas Volunteer Forum. Students interested in volunteering overseas filled the Elisabeth Murdoch Theatre to hear presentations from expert panellists and past student volunteers. From saving endangered turtles in Costa Rica to helping marginalised communities in Kenya past volunteers shared their diverse range of stories and experiences. Volunteering overseas bears no boundaries; there are numerous opportunities and exotic destinations. Programs can last for as little as one week to as long as two years. Panellists discussed the importance of understanding the cultural environment volunteers enter and stressed the importance of learning the local language before heading overseas. To make the most of the overseas experience, they advised the students to have an open mind and be ready to challenge themselves beyond their comfort zone.

Participating organisations included Youth Challenge Australia, Global Vision International (GVI), Global Aid Partnerships (GAPS), Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) and SIFE Nexus Abroad.

More photos from the night can be found here.

Once again, this event is proudly sponsored by the Faculty of Business and Economics, the University of Melbourne.