INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY

Sujneet Kaur Johal 17 BachelorofEconomics/Law, UNSW

I was extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to explore 9 European countries in the span of 4 weeks with the UNYouth Australia YoungDiplomatsTour.I was amongst 15 other students selectedfrom across Australia through an extremely demandingselection process which lasted a few months.

Throughout the tour, I had the opportunity to engage with key players in international diplomacy, including significant European politicians, UN representatives, diplomats, leading thinkers, grassroots organisations, media outlets and NGOs. I also met with well-known figuressuch as Helen Brady, Head of Prosecution Appeals for the International Criminal Court, ABC's foreign correspondent Lisa Millar in London, German Negotiator for climate change Karsten Sach and UKIP member Raymond Finch.

Thebusinessside Of Software

Nehal Jain 19

BachelorofEngineering(Honours)(Software), University ofAdelaide

Although my degree is mostly technical, there is also an element of project management and business involved. I have always been keen on exploring this technical side and seeing how it all comes together. In the future, I aim to work in a position that combines both aspects, as opposed to being in a solely software developer role.

So, when I came across an opening for a role which required knowledge of technology, business and marketing, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I am now doing an Internship with Microsoft, as the Program Manager of the Microsoft Innovation Centre South Australia. Through this role, I am expanding my networks as I am required to constantly be working with the local community, start-ups, universities and the government.This internship experience is also bringing to light the vast plethora of jobs that I did not even know existed. Hopefully this will help me evaluate whether or not I truly enjoy being in a hybrid role so that I can really nail down my career goals.

I gained a deeper understanding on the role of diplomacy and the evolution of nation states shaping our global community.This understanding came through intense workshops focusing on major historical events and eras, specifically WWII and its repercussions, which transcends European politics and heavily inf uences politicaldiscourse today.

Overall, this experience challenged my political views and enhanced my passion for politics and creating change. Most importantly, I engaged with many young people who have already created change and excelled in their respective fields which was highly motivating. As an Indian Australian, UNYouth Australia has allowed me to voice my opinions, which have been nurtured by my cultural upbringing as well as understanding how I can convert my views into real change despite my young age.