In this post, we share insights from our podcast interviews with professionals in various fields. These discussions not only offered valuable perspectives on their careers but also highlighted the skills and experiences we, as Career Ready Placement students, are gaining through our placements.
About Us
We are Zhiwei Luo (Makayla) and Kimika Nakanishi, two 2024 Career Ready Placement students majoring in French Studies, and we come from China and Japan. We are dedicated to enhancing our practical skills and understanding of different industries. Through our placements, we have the opportunity to engage with experts, learn from their experiences, and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts.
Interviewee 1: Mr. Gionni Di Gravio (LISTEN HERE)
Mr. Gionni Di Gravio is an archivist passionate about preserving historical records for public access. In our conversation, Gionni discussed the daily tasks of an archivist. These include managing inquiries, caring for archives, and digitizing materials. He highlighted the crucial role of technology in this process. Digitization transfers knowledge and protects documents from deterioration. Gionni’s path to archiving was unexpected; he transitioned from public libraries over twenty years ago. His dedication shows in his commitment to understanding the stories behind the records. His passion makes him a vital contributor to archiving.
Interviewee 2: Dr. Amir Mogadam (LISTEN HERE)
Dr. Amir Mogadam specializes in conserving, cleaning, and preparing archival items in Special Collections. His career began with training in Iran. His journey to his current role in Australia shows diverse professional paths. In our interview, Dr. Mogadam discussed the importance of cultural heritage preservation. His work contributes to a broader understanding of history. His dedication to archiving and education gave us a unique perspective. He highlighted the value of documentation in our rapidly changing world.
Interviewee 3: Associate Prof. Nancy Cushing (LISTEN HERE)
Associate Prof. Nancy Cushing is an expert in Australian history, environmental history, and human-animal relations. Her extensive research has shed light on the historical interactions between humans and the environment, providing a deeper understanding of our societal evolution. In our conversation, Dr. Cushing highlighted the relevance of historical context in shaping contemporary environmental policies. She emphasized that climate change is not only the most serious environmental problem in Australia but also a critical issue that the entire world must address. This message resonated with us as we consider our future careers in related fields.
Interviewee 4: Associate Prof. Ron Boyd (LISTEN HERE)
Associate Prof. Ron Boyd is a geologist whose work focuses on studying sediments, landscapes, and oceans. He has contributed to significant projects such as the Newcastle Geotrail and Port Macquarie Coastal Geotrail. During our interview, Dr. Boyd shared his passion for geology and emphasized the importance of understanding our planet’s history to address current environmental challenges. His insights inspired us to appreciate the intricacies of the natural world and the role of scientists in preserving it.
Insights from our podcast interviews have enriched our knowledge and strengthened our career goals. Talking with experienced professionals has inspired us greatly. We feel more determined to pursue our goals, understanding the impact we can make. The insights from Dr. Boyd, Dr. Cushing, Dr. Mogadam, and Mr. Di Gravio were invaluable, showing us the importance and relevance of our work. Their passion encourages us to develop our skills further, aiming to contribute meaningfully to our communities. We are excited about the future and our potential to make a difference.
By Zhiwei Luo (Makayla) and Kimika Nakanishi (University of Newcastle Career Ready Placement students 2024)
GIONNI De Gravio, you have been such an asset to our community. How awesome are you to always acknowledge every phone call, every email, every inquiry for so many years. We, the citizens of the Greater Newcastle area, applaud and thank a most dedicated. Interested person. Thank you so much