Skilled Migrant Professionals Autumn 2016 | Page 13

Career DUCATE Inspire Communities learn from the people around us. That attitude has helped me to overcome challenges in my own life.” Professor Tadé has found that Australia is a place of great opportunity for a rewarding career and where he can make a positive influence on others. He sees Australia’s growing multicultural heritage as being a significant strength. “One of the beauties of Australia is that so many of us are migrants. All of us as Australians need to keep learning about our differences and seek to find a positive common ground. It is not our skin colour or cultural background that is most important, it is the essence, substance and character of people that really counts.” Professor Tadé encourages younger migrants to be ready to adapt to Australian society. “Any migrant needs to stay open-minded and be prepared to integrate into the society. Don’t be friends with only people from your community group. Meet new people – it’s a big world. When you are in Australia you don’t want to limit yourself just to the kinds of experience that you had back in your home country. I encourage migrants to make the best of what is here. Help other people as much as possible and you will receive help from others as well.” Help other people as much as possible and you will receive help from others as well Professor Tadé shares four tips to achieve professional excellence as a migrant. 1. Get a qualification. Though there’s no way of knowing how many career changes you will make throughout your life, it is still paramount to obtain a qualification in whatever career you desire to pursue. Make sure the qualification aligns with your passions, and be clear and honest to yourself about type of job you want. When you complete your degree, continuously look for ways to add more value to your knowledge. 2. Set professional goals. Be clear on where you want to be or what level you want to attain in your career by creating a reference frame. Without a reference frame it will be difficult to plan your pathway. An examples of professional goals that would be worthwhile setting is: ensuring the people you are going to have within your circle of influence will inspire and push you on your career journey. 3. Understand what it takes to achieve your professional goal. a. Learning o