How Thiri is thriving with guidance from her like-minded mentor
Master of Management (Human Resources) student Thiri was matched with a mentor that was once just like her.
Bachelor of Commerce alum Kinsey was an ambitious international student, eager to build her network and confidence by immersing herself in university life.
Now, Thiri hopes to follow in the footsteps of Kinsey’s exciting, decade-long career in human resources (HR).
Thiri Hlaing volunteering with the University of Melbourne Student Ambassador Program.
“It's a genuine relationship and she is my role model, but at the same time, there's no seniority between us,” said Thiri of her mentoring relationship with Kinsey, “she speaks with me like a peer, or a friend of mine.”
Emerging identity
Before Thiri was accepted into the University of Melbourne, she attended an international private school in her home country Myanmar, Southeast Asia.
This experience enabled Thiri to learn English, Chinese and Burmese throughout her teenage years.
“Since I was young, my parents really emphasised the importance of education and also discovering my own passion,” said Thiri.
“Back in their day, they didn't have that opportunity, maybe due to financial difficulty,” she shared, and so for Thiri’s parents, education represents a pathway to better opportunities in the future.
“That might look like securing a better job, better income, or even just a better life.”
Although she had supportive parents and received an excellent education, there were still plenty of challenges Thiri faced when she moved to Melbourne as an international student.
“There are a lot of cultural differences – colloquial language and even just the way that people behave and react differently. That's a big barrier,” she explained.
Suddenly needing to manage her studies alongside domestic responsibilities without nearby support also left Thiri feeling homesick during her first month in Melbourne, but in the end, she was grateful for it all.
“I think these challenges have made me who I am today. I’ve grown my personal skills and learned to tackle those challenges and build my resilience.”
There were a number of University support services that Thiri leaned on to help her make it through the adjustment period of becoming an international student.
“In my first year, I didn't know how to structure my essays very well, so I reached out to Academic Skills and they helped with advice and proofreading,” said Thiri.
“That very detailed and tailored advice was fundamental to me getting a better grade.”
Thiri also reached out to Counselling and Psychological Services in her first year to help address her wellbeing and mental health issues, and joined the Melbourne Plus program to better integrate into Melbourne life.
“Melbourne Plus has four categories – innovation, leadership, sustainability advocacy and community engagement – and if you do some activities under each category, you get a badge,” she explained.
“These activities really allowed me to enhance my professional and personal skills, and I think it's really cool to get involved with a lot of things during uni.”
While Thiri was exploring extra-curricular activities, she was also questioning what her career calling was throughout her undergraduate degree.
“After I finished my bachelor degree, I asked myself ‘what are my strengths and what are my weaknesses?’
It was these reflections that led Thiri to the field of HR, and her decision to embark on her masters degree after completing her undergraduate study.
“I'm really interested in finding a field where I can combine my communication skills with trying to build that positive environment, to really boost and help people find where their passion is in in the professional environment,” she said.
Forming confidence and direction
During the first year of her masters degree, an opportunity presented itself for Thiri to join the FBE Career Mentoring Program, and she jumped at the opportunity.
“This program really got my attention, because it's related to my career,” she said.
“I thought it would be great to have a senior professional in that industry to help me get that deeper insight into what HR actually looks like, and then what career path is ahead of me.”
Thiri Hlaing studying with friends on campus.
Thiri was matched with Kinsey – a commerce alum currently based in London, working as the Associate Director of HR Analytics and Insights at EY.
“EY is a company that I would like to join in the future, so I thought this was such a good opportunity,” said Thiri. “Her expertise in people analytics also got my attention, because that is one of the biggest trends in HR.”
In their first session, Thiri and Kinsey explored many possible career options, and Kinsey suggested that a career in employee branding would complement Thiri’s knack for creating content and communication.
“After a few more sessions, I realised that I really want to work in a role incorporating sustainability or social advocacy, and Kinsey encouraged me to continue exploring possible paths.”
Kinsey also noticed that Thiri’s confidence was lacking in some areas and helped her reframe her perceived weakness in maths.
“Kinsey said, ‘maybe you're not bad at maths – maybe there's just a comparative advantage that makes you feel like you are,” said Thiri.
Learn more about Thiri's mentor, Kinsey.
“She helped build my confidence and change my mindset.”
Having a mentor based internationally was also insightful for Thiri, and she learned about the intricacies of the HR industry around the world.
“I asked Kinsey about the culture and working style differences between London and Melbourne and got some insights,” she said.
Kinsey also gave Thiri some insider knowledge about how the people analytics field is applied differently in both Australia and the UK.
“In Australia, people analytics is used to inform better judgment in terms of recruitment, whereas in the UK, she emphasised it’s used more in the area of investing in the culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Even though their formal mentoring relationship has ended, Thiri and Kinsey still stay in touch – and Thiri will have a friendly face to meet in person during her upcoming student trip to the UK.
Having strengthened her career readiness and confidence in her abilities through mentoring, Thiri has advice for other students hoping to make the most of their mentoring experience.
“The key to building a good relationship is trust, respect, and also mutual commitment into the relationship,” said Thiri.
“Don't be shy – be proactive and reach out to your mentor – because an inspiring person that can be your role model is right in front of you, so why not make the most of that chance?”
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