How the Hansen Scholarship is helping Monishi get a head start on his career

For Monishi, making the move from Darwin to study a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne was about more than pursuing a career in finance.

“Both my parents were the first ones in their families to attend university and before that no one had even finished high school, so I wanted to carry on the legacy of growth.”

“The University of Melbourne stood out to me due to its quality of teaching and the number of incredible opportunities such as various case competitions and sports.”

Settling into a new home halfway across the country

Moving over 3,000 kilometers from home while making the jump from high school to university came with its challenges, but Monishi says the support of the Hansen Scholarship Program made all the difference.

“Receiving the scholarship gave me belief that people saw potential in me. It has also lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, removing financial stress and allowing me to focus on my studies and passions.”

Hansen Scholars receive three years of fully-funded accommodation at Little Hall, generous financial support and access to a tailored mentorship program. Monishi says it’s this mentorship that’s helped him get into the swing of university study.

“My academic mentor has not only supported me through challenges but also pushed me to think critically about my goals and broaden my perspectives. Her guidance has helped me approach my studies with more confidence and has shaped the way I plan for my future.”

Finding his own path in the Bachelor of Commerce

Starting an undergraduate course doesn’t mean being locked into a set path and career. Unlike most degrees in Australia, the Melbourne curriculum offers the freedom to explore subjects before focusing on a specialisation. Monishi took advantage of this flexibility to experience different areas of commerce so he could feel confident choosing the right major for him.

“Heading into university when I first applied for Bachelor of Commerce I wanted to major in Economics, however I found that I was more inclined to a computational pathway, so as a way to honour both my major and my interests I decided to study a double major in Finance and Economics."

“My experience in the course so far has been incredible. I’ve particularly enjoyed the depth of the lecturers that I have experienced, especially within the economics and finance department."

Something that’s surprised Monishi about university life is the number of opportunities he’s had to build resume-worthy skills outside the lecture theatre.

“I didn’t realise how opportunities outside of class would shape my experience, such as case competitions, networking events, and volunteering. They’ve been just as important as lectures in building confidence and skills.”

Getting real-world experience

Making the most of every opportunity to build job-ready skills and gain exposure to the finance industry led Monishi to take part in the Bupa Empower to Employ initiative. The program gives students the chance to work in a team and solve a real-life business challenge.

“I learnt a lot from this program and it will be hugely beneficial to my future, aiming to enter either investment banking or management consulting."

“It also provides an insight into the different roles a person can hold at a firm and how these roles interact with one another, as well as how the economics and finance aspect comes into play."

His advice to future students

The Hansen Scholarship Program provided life-changing wraparound support to help Monishi relocate and study his dream course. His advice to Year 12s thinking of applying?

“Stay curious and remember the scholarship is not about where we have come from but where we want to go. More importantly do not feel like you need to fit a certain mold as an aspiring scholar, it is our individual stories that led us to become Hansen Scholars.”