Study Overseas Alumni #3 - Ryan Cunningham

On return from Hong Kong, Ryan accepted a graduate position with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in their International Relations Division. He was pleased to be back in South Australia and applying the skills he learned overseas.

The International Relations and Protocol team’s core role is providing international advice to the Premier and Ministers, managing diplomatic relations and our sister-state relationships; and coordinating overseas travel.

This involves research as well as frequently hosting foreign dignitaries in South Australia, and designing strategic programs for their visit. As a central agency, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet is able to coordinate cross-government approaches to diplomatic engagement, often coordinating high-level written briefings and advice on the Department’s international engagement.

Ryan was surprised to learn of the dynamic nature and international opportunities within state government. Working for a central agency enables public servants to develop general skills and a broad understanding of their jurisdiction. Some highlights from his year include showcasing regional investment opportunities to Chinese investors, assisting with the Premier’s visit to China and hosting the Italian Foreign Minister.

On applying and interviewing for a job, the greatest importance is being able to demonstrate your relevant experience, be it foreign language skills or previous unique work experience.

During many interviews, he was asked to provide concrete examples of work he had completed overseas. The NCP enabled Ryan to intern with CSR Asia, an Environmental, Social and Governance reporting firm in Hong Kong that he had followed throughout university. Through his internship, he was able to work with some of Hong Kong’s largest companies on their sustainability strategy, including the Bank of East Asia and Hong Kong Airport Authority and Oxfam.

This area of work might sound vastly different to advising the South Australian Government on its international engagement, but he was able to demonstrate that working in a global team with a range of stakeholders and writing skills were experiences that were directly transferrable. The interaction with senior government and business leaders in region provided by the NCP was also directly beneficial.

Living in the Indo-Pacific requires you to be adaptable and to be open to trying new things, and choosing the region clearly demonstrates this to employers. South Australia is a small player in the global economy, and adaptability and an international mindset are strongly desired by employers.

Ryan found that there were three key takeaways from studying overseas that he now gets to apply to his employment environment:

• Improved language capabilities
  South Australians are slow at the uptake of foreign languages, with Year 12 levels of second language studies dropping dramatically in recent years. Being able to speak Mandarin, Cantonese or Spanish to visiting dignitaries or businesses not only allows for improved communication, it demonstrates our willingness to engage with international partners on a new level. It has been proven that language learning enhances one’s English and general communication techniques as well. Being able to clearly demonstrate to prospective employers that you are able to converse directly in a foreign language, or two, immediately gives you an edge against other applicants. Under the NCP program, Ryan was able to dedicate funding and time to improving his Mandarin and Cantonese. Having said this, language skills below fluency and general country knowledge are no longer sufficient stand-alone skills, but combining these with a specific area of study will open up new opportunities.

• Broad cultural understanding and adaptability
  Half of your study overseas experiences will come from your host region and its people, the other half with come from the international students and professionals you spend time with. Demonstrating your comfort in working with a range of cultures and individuals is invaluable.

• Increased region and market knowledge
  Ryan’s understanding of China and Hong Kong is such that he would never have achieved from home. He was fortunate to study the Chinese Cultural Revolution in depth, and at the same time analyse Hong Kong’s planning policies and international competitiveness in its pursuit of continued economic growth in new industries. Being able to recall market information on the region directly benefits your work capability. His knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region is now so much greater than just China in great part to his fellow New Colombo Plan Scholars, who are very intelligent and capable young individuals who shared their experiences with him.

In conclusion, Ryan highly recommends anyone thinking of studying for any length of time in the Indo-Pacific to go for it, and find the most exciting and off the map location you can! As outlined in the recent Foreign Policy White Paper released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Indo-Pacific region remains to be the future of Australia’s engagement.

“I am part of a lucky generation that has greater accessibility to the Indo-Pacific than ever before, paved by individuals who faced tougher conditions in the region. Spending 2016 in Hong Kong was the year of a lifetime. The world-class study and work environment was invaluable to my career, and the travel and friendships were invaluable life experiences.”

Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) and Bachelor of Languages (Mandarin) in April 2017. He is a vocal supporter of South Australia and its regions. Secretary of the Department and Foreign Affairs, Ms Frances Adamson, a University of Adelaide Alumna, mentioned Ryan in one of her public addresses for the Confucius Institute’s 10^th anniversary public lecture.