UWA and me
In all honesty, I did not think I would ever attend university. I had arrived in Australia as a refugee with very fragmented schooling and no English competency, but I was committed to taking every opportunity to further my education. I visited the UWA Crawley campus during high school and was convinced, but like most young people, I had no idea what I wanted to study. Reflecting on the moment I submitted my preferences, I laugh knowing that my top three choices were all UWA courses, and whichever one I got, I would not have regretted it. My time at UWA was really rewarding. I walked away with a Bachelor of Arts with joint Honours in 2011, fond memories and life-long friendships. I continue to return to campus to attend events, volunteer and mentor students, and I am sure this will continue for years to come.
A passion for helping others
I believe with all my heart that each person has a lot to offer the world. My passion is to help individuals navigate around barriers and hardships that prevent them from being the best they can be and achieving all they can. This passion is reflected in my volunteer work and the various roles I have undertaken in the Australian Public Service. In recent years, I have been helping multicultural and refugee communities in Western Australia, students from low socio-economic backgrounds, women who have gone through difficulties in their lives and young people with low English proficiency. As a result of my passion for helping others, I recently accepted the appointment as CEO at the Edmund Rice Centre WA, a not for profit organisation that seeks to empower people through education and development opportunities, with a special focus on youth leadership.
Well-prepared for the workplace
The autonomy you learn to have at university goes a long way in the workplace. What I perhaps regret not doing enough of is getting involved in student clubs and volunteer activities, as I feel this would have furthered my ability to collaborate, ask questions and express opinions in the workplace. I recall being involved in a series of model United Nations Security Council meetings for one of my undergraduate units and how much research and effort I put into preparing my talking points and position for the debate. Believe it or not, I used the skills I learnt in units such as these on the job in my first few years with the Australian Public Service.
On a personal level, the support students receive if they ask for it at university also helps achieve life and career goals. I was so pleased to have my honours supervisor by my side to offer career advice and mentoring because I was truly unsure of what I wanted to do after university. UWA professors like her played a really important part in helping me achieve my career goals to date. Some faculty staff at UWA will still receive emails from me asking for assistance and advice many years into my career.
Words of wisdom for current students
Do not let fear stop you from rewarding yourself with the successes you deserve. So do not be afraid to speak your mind and push your limits while at university.
About Natasha
Natasha Kusmuk has worn many hats in her life and career; she is a refugee, an academic, an author, an academic tutor, a volunteer, an experienced public servant, and now, the Chief Executive Officer at Edmund Rice Centre WA. Arriving in Australia in 1999, having missed several years of primary school education due to conflicts in both Bosnia and Serbia, she quickly mastered the English language and became interested in academia. She now holds a Bachelor of Arts with joint Honours in Political Science and International Relations, and European Studies from UWA and more recently has obtained a Master of International and Community Development from Deakin University. Her 2016 publication with the Maritime Institute of Malaysia, titled The Scourge of Piracy: Measures and Wider Implications, deals with maritime piracy, the law and the social, political and economic impacts of international crime on communities in countries like Somalia. She is also a lifetime member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
You can stay up-to-date with Natasha on LinkedIn.