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Peak seafood research body hires graduate
It took only a few hours for University of the Sunshine Coast Business Honours graduate Chelsey Parish of Ilkley to net a job with Australia’s foremost seafood research organisation.
The 24-year-old, whose Honours research last year at USC identified ways that domestic seafood firms could improve their exporting abilities, had simply sought a reference from the Australian Seafood CRC (Cooperative Research Centre).
Instead, the Australian Seafood CRC offered her a full-time job as Communications and Events Officer and Chelsey moved from the Coast to Adelaide in March to start immediately.
“I was thrilled because it was great timing – I’d just returned from travelling through Africa and the UK as a graduation present to myself,” she said.
During her University program, the Australian Seafood CRC had granted Chelsey a $10,000 competitive scholarship to study the prawn farming industry, which included liaison with industry researchers and commercial operators.
She received first class Honours in International Business at USC last year and recently presented her thesis at the Australian Prawn and Barramundi Farmers Conference in Sydney.
“I was delighted to be able to present my research,” she said. “Most of the industry leaders I had interviewed were present so it was great to give them a results wrap-up in person.”
Chelsey said the new job was opening many doors and keeping her in touch with USC through its multiple connections with the Australian Seafood CRC.
“I organise events such as our annual Science Day and Participants’ Forum, which was attended by USC Dean of Business Professor Evan Douglas, and I help take care of all internal and external company communications,” she said.
“I produce the company’s magazine, which is distributed to members nationally, and maintain our website, which is a huge task.
“I have also been using my communications and international business skills to work on an exciting China trade project for Australian wild abalone.”
Australian Seafood CRC Communications and Education Program Manager Emily Mantilla said Chelsey was a great example of an industry-ready graduate.
“The skills and experience Chelsey obtained during her degrees at USC and through the University’s partnership with the Australian Seafood CRC have enabled her to seamlessly slip into her position,” Ms Mantilla said.
“Her contacts within industry have helped her enormously in this role as well as her ability to understand the entire industry context.”
She became familiar with both travel and making presentations during her USC studies.
In 2010, Chelsey gained a presenter’s spot at the Austral Asian Aquaculture Conference in Hobart and in 2009 she joined fellow Business students on a study trip to South Korea. She also spent a semester in Japan as part of the University’s GO (Global Opportunities) program.
— Julie Gatehouse