Graduate pathway story by Resident Member Neharika Bajracharya

Graduate Pathway Story

by Resident Member Neharika Bajracharya

Neharika’s first day in Melbourne in 2019, enjoying hot coffee in Melbourne’s crisp.

Neharika was a resident at Graduate House during the pandemic. She recently graduated with a Masters in Accounting and Finance from The University of Melbourne , and is now working as a graduate internal auditor at HLB Mann Judd, a chartered accounting firm based in Melbourne. Here we learn a little more about Neharika’s ‘graduate pathway’ story.

What was your educational background? What did you study at university and why did you choose this course?

I was born and brought up in Nepal, however, I completed my tertiary education overseas, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bangalore, India. For my Masters, I always saw myself moving to Australia, where choosing The University of Melbourne was very easy, given its reputation and ranking for accounting in the world (ranks 16th). The university experience I gained here has been a life changing one, and I will always look back on it fondly. I cultivated lifelong friendships during my time at university, and learned resilience during the pandemic in Melbourne. I’ve always had a keen interest in understanding various financial and accounting principles and exposure to auditing during my Masters made me realise my passion for the subject, therefore I started my career as an internal auditor. I look forward to seeing how my career journey unfolds!

What did you learn during your tertiary education – not just academically, but what ideas did you form and what perceptions? Did any of your views change significantly when you went to university?

My Masters degree has been one of the most important phases of my life, not only because of how crucial this degree is to my career, but mainly because

of the various industry insights I had access to. I did miss out on many networking opportunities due to the pandemic, however, the resources my university had made me well equipped for job hunting. I really do believe that networking is very crucial along with an actual degree. This I have come to learn over the past two years. I used to be very shy, but now I believe I am more confident in meeting new people and building connections. This is personal growth and I am learning new skills every day.

What is your earliest memory of having an interest in your field?

This is surely funny but seeing the ever-gorgeous Eva Green as an accountant in a James Bond movie (as a kid) really made me want to become an accountant myself. I think subconsciously that characterisation led me to this path!

Did you have any residencies, internships, or anything else that ultimately led you to where you are today?

I worked as a consultant for the City of Melbourne as part of my Masters, and that experience made me realise my passion for consulting and was crucial for my decision to go into this advisory and consulting industry. Other than that, I was fortunate for the opportunity of being a Treasurer for Graduate House Student Group, which helped me build meaningful connections and a chance to engage actively with Graduate House’s residents, which has certainly prepared me for my job today.

What are the goals of your company/organisation and what are you ultimately trying to achieve?

The goal of the company is to provide excellent auditing and consulting services to our clients. I find myself greatly fortunate to be working with the firm. I certainly wish to further my skills through either CA or CPA courses. Ultimately, I want to be an expert in my field backed up by years of professional experience, and commencing my career with HLB Mann Judd is an ideal start.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and what lessons did that person teach you?

I must say my dad has been the biggest influence in my life. He has always been so inspirational. He taught me patience and gratitude. And of course, my mum, who is this sweetest person herself, constantly teaching me to be kind to others with her loving and kind gestures!

What were some of your major milestones?

I guess for me it has to be finishing my Masters during the pandemic. Like every other international student around the globe, not being with my family and experiencing the pandemic alone was very difficult, let alone trying to finish my studies during that period. Apart from that, receiving the Global Graduate Merit Scholarship from The University of Melbourne in recognition of the hard work I put in during my undergraduate degree, and receiving an award for securing the highest marks for “Business Law” in the Business Faculty during my undergraduate studies are some memorable accomplishments which make me very happy.

What is the most important thing that can make you successful at your job?

Integrity and being adaptable. These two are key in being successful at my current role, and for that matter, in the auditing industry itself. Especially with the changing circumstances, being able to adapt to client’s demands quickly and delivering work efficiently becomes vital.

What are you working on for the future?

For now, I am just focusing on building my professional experience. I am excited to see what the future holds!

What is your next goal? Do you have an ultimate goal that you are working towards?

Yes! To be a trustworthy auditor. The next step for me would be to understand the industry very well and understand what suits me most. Auditing itself has many areas, and I am yet to discover the one I am fond of the most.

What advice would you give graduates?

I would strongly recommend networking. Connect with your university’s guest lecturers, connect with people who work in companies of your interest, connect with recent graduates who have secured a job, and ask them pertinent questions that will help in building necessary skills recruiters look for in an applicant. There is no harm in putting yourself out there, and having patience is key. Things will work out in the end if smartly approached.

What do you like doing when you are not working?

While being at Graduate House during the first few lockdowns, I really grew fond of cycling. My friends and I used to cycle around the 5km radius and try out new coffee shops and bakeries! Sadly, my friends are not in Melbourne anymore, but I keep the tradition alive and try to cycle three to four times a week. It’s good exercise and the weather recently has gotten kinder too. Other than that, I love baking and cooking, which I find very therapeutic!

Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to thank Dr. Bennett for this wonderful opportunity to share my story! Graduate House has been an integral part of my life in Melbourne, and I am very grateful for the memories. And to all the recent graduates, have faith and keep reaching out to people. You never know what might just work out!