A moment of reflection during National Reconciliation Week

Jayden Crozier started as a CareerTrackers intern at Bupa in 2017 and has since taken up a part-time role as a public affairs advisor while finishing his university degree. He tells us about his experience with the CareerTrackers program at Bupa. The CareerTrackers program connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to internships and employment opportunties with some of Australia’s leading organisations. Bupa has partnered with CareerTrackers for the past five years.

When I first started at Bupa through the CareerTrackers program in 2017, I didn’t know what to expect. While I knew I would gain applied legal experience, and a first-hand understanding of how businesses operate, I wasn’t necessarily expecting so much personal growth, perspective over my career, and the chance to create strong and lasting connections within the corporate sector and among the other Indigenous interns in the program.

I am passionate about political science, public policy and history, which is why I chose to study Arts/Law at Monash University. Initially I thought I would end up working in the public service. However, my experience has shown me that there are numerous career paths available that where I can still focus on my interests.

When I started at Bupa, I was welcomed by the legal team and was able to gain an understanding of what legal practice looked like in the real world. I’ve valued seeing how the law operates beyond my studies, and particularly in a commercial context.

I’ve also had the chance to work on several different projects outside the legal sphere. Particularly, concerning Bupa’s work to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This has been rewarding, whether it be in the form of Bupa’s Reconciliation Action Plan, or the company’s position on the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and its impacts on the social determinants of health.

Since then, I've been working in the public affairs team, which has been fantastic to be able to immerse myself in my passions of politics and policy through government and stakeholder management.

Participating in the CareerTrackers program has also been an important opportunity to personally develop. By being able to work in several different areas, gain a more in-depth understanding of the private sector, and find out what I enjoy doing, it has given me clarity and perspective on what I want to do with my career.

I’ve also been lucky enough to have a level of support and a sense of community among the other Indigenous interns who were placed in various teams across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. We have formed a genuine support network that has made Bupa a more delightful place to work.

The experience I’ve gained at Bupa has already allowed me to apply for other opportunities and gain further experience. I’ve been extremely grateful for the skills I’ve developed, whether it be legal or otherwise.

My main takeaway would be the broader consciousness of where my career can take me and the diverse career options that lay ahead.

If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student and you’d like to intern with one of Australia’s leading companies, visit CareerTrackers for more information.

Media reference number: 20/063