UQ graduate helps younger students succeed

22 Jul 2016
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If his résumé so far is anything to go by, Isaac Boyd is poised for a promising future.

The Bachelor of Commerce/Economics student graduates from The University of Queensland this week after devoting much of his undergraduate degree to community outreach and campus culture.

Between studying and interning at several major consulting firms, Isaac was a UQ Student Outreach Ambassador, an executive member of the UQ Exchange Student Society (QUEST), and a tutor for indigenous high school and university students through the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit and the ARTIE Academy.

For Isaac, empowering young people through education is important – particularly in Australia’s indigenous community.

“There’s no doubt education is a crucial factor for improving long-term outcomes,” he said.

“So when the opportunity to tutor indigenous students came up I was happy to contribute. Both the ARTIE Academy and UQ’s ATSIS unit provide excellent platforms for making a positive impact.

“I’ve really enjoyed creating a rapport with my tutoring students; it’s fantastic when you see them make progress. There’s definitely a feeling of accomplishment.”

Isaac said his interest in indigenous outreach started with his parents.

“Both my parents worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities, so my awareness of indigenous issues certainly stemmed from them,” he said.

Isaac also worked with UQ’s Student Outreach program. As a UQ Student Outreach Ambassador, he travelled to high schools in Queensland’s Lockyer and Ipswich districts to encourage students to take up tertiary studies.

“Our mandate was to educate high schoolers on the benefits and accessibility of a university education,” he said.

“We delivered presentations, workshops and campus excursions to promote our key program messages including ‘uni is an investment in my future’ and ‘uni is for anyone’.

“The program targets students who may never have thought university could be an option for them. It’s pretty exhilarating when you see them realise they have this whole new range of possibilities.

“As an ambassador I had the opportunity to work with an extremely talented and energetic team of students and staff, so it’s been a really enjoyable way to represent UQ while furthering a worthy cause.”

After graduation Isaac plans to take a working holiday overseas before starting a graduate consulting role in Brisbane.

“The role has a focus on economics and policy so I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learnt at university into practice,” he said.

“Further down the track I’d love to explore how I can use my degree to create change through social entrepreneurship.”

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