Celebrating our graduates – Giulia Serbolonghi

Giulia Serbolonghi is just one of thousands of RMIT students to proudly graduate after completing her Diploma of Business Administration studies this year, but the path to further study hasn’t always been an easy road.

“I feel very proud of myself [to be graduating]. Initially, I started a course in nursing back in 2016, but after a year I realised that nursing was not my path.”

Giulia hadn’t intended to pick up studying again in 2020, in fact she was just realising her dream of opening her own small business, but two months later the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Giulia faced incredible challenges.

“I had the opportunity to open my own coffee shop in January 2020, combining my love of cooking, coffee and dogs.”

“My shop was located next to the Lost Dogs Home shelter and in front of a wonderful dog park, so I chose to name my café Paws 4 Coffee.”

“I was very upset [about the pandemic], seeing all my life savings put towards a shop, and then in two and half months seeing it slowly going down. It was very hard and heart-breaking!”

Refusing to give up Guilia worked hard to pivot her business, producing products like pizza and pasta to sell to her loyal customers.

“They would buy an extra home-made biscuit or drink to support me, or sometimes in the hardest moment of COVID-19 they would listen to me and watch me crying over this COVID nightmare!”

Giulia pouring coffee behind cafe counter

2021 graduating RMIT Diploma of Business Administration student Giulia Serbolonghi.

Life at RMIT

After opening her cafe Giulia discovered that she had another passion in the administration aspect of the business, leading her to study a Diploma of Business Administration at RMIT.

“RMIT was well organised with online lessons and activities, and was able to provide an environment that would adapt to everyone’s needs, such as for students that have kids and/or work commitment.

“I understood that my real passion and love was towards the HR department.”

“I am grateful for my experience, good or bad. It has been a wild ride!”

Life after graduating

Following her successful completion of Diploma of Business Administration, Giulia was given a conditional offer to study a Bachelor of HR at RMIT in 2022.

“I will still undertake two years of studying at RMIT, following my real passion and hopefully enjoying the next course as much as I did for this Diploma!”

Advice for new students

“Do what you love! It may take a few years for you to understand what you really love, but when you do understand what you really want to do/become, everything will be easier!”

Story by Ellen Singleton

17 November 2021

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