“Global assignments enhance one’s spirit, openness, and judgment,” says Ruxandra Calin (MBA ’12), who last summer interned at Ernst & Young in Australia. “My internship gave me different perspectives, enriched my professional and personal life, and opened my curiosity toward areas of professional development that were unfamiliar to me.”
Calin, who earned degrees on the undergraduate and graduate levels in Bucharest, Romania, before coming to Baruch, is no stranger to the differences found throughout the international business world. But even she learned a thing or two—or seven—during her Australian summer (which was really winter).
Follow these rules, from Calin, to conduct business like—and with—Australians:
Brainstorming is an essential part of Aussie teamwork. At meetings everybody is asked for his or her opinion.
Don’t place too much importance on titles and hierarchy.
At first sight, you won’t know whether your colleagues are partners, managers, or staff accountants, because Aussies don’t use titles to introduce themselves or include them on their desk plates.
Trust the newest team members.
Newcomers are thrown into projects at a fast pace and are given not only the responsibility but the liberty to interact with clients. This hands-on experience encourages ownership and autonomy.
No glass walls or cubicles.
Aussie office space is as open as possible. Everywhere you look you see round desks shared by two people. Next to a partner’s desk, there’s the intern’s desk.
Aim for a fun and close-knit work environment.
During the busy season, end-of-week activities included a Friday “drinking trolley,” bowling contests, and, of course, “footy” games. Team members often shared lunch and dinner, meals that were always taken outside the office. These activities built relationships that went well beyond the workplace.
And the corollary: Strive for life/work balance.
Aussies work hard. They also plan breaks in their busy schedule.
Value intercultural exchanges and ideas.
By and large, Australia is a multicultural nation. Aussies conduct business with that diversity in mind.
—Ruxandra Calin graduated with an MBA in accountancy in June 2012. She was one of more than 100 Baruch students who studied abroad during summer 2011. These students studied in 28 cities in 16 countries, ranging from Argentina to the United Kingdom. The most popular destinations were China, the choice of nearly 28 percent, followed by Italy (25 percent) and Spain (16 percent). Female students accounted for 68 percent of those who studied abroad; 98 percent were undergraduates.