The Three P’s: Passion, Placement and Persistence  

The possibilities are endless for Stephen Maiolo, who is itching to start his career and find his feet out in the real world.

Like many other students, Stephen wants to work in an industry of one of his personal interests, whether that is film, music, fashion or travel. 

Stephen is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Business majoring in marketing in 2024 and is currently undertaking a Work Integrated Learning placement at Stellantis in their Brand Marketing team. 

“I’ve only been there for a couple months, but I have genuinely learnt so much", he said.

"Whilst there’s definitely great value in learning in a classroom, I genuinely believe a placement is the best way to learn and decide whether it is the field you want to work in after uni."

"Fortunately, this placement has confirmed that I want to work in marketing!”

It didn't take much for Stephen to decide whether RMIT was the perfect fit for him as he was excited by the opportunity the College of Business and Law’s WIL program would provide him from the get-go. 

“Funnily enough, the main reason I chose to study at RMIT was because the marketing course had a year of placement and I saw value in that.”

Like many other RMIT students, Stephen has to find a way to balance his work, uni and social commitments, whilst also completing placement.

Stephen's awareness of his own limits and taking time to relax helps him to recharge and not burn out. 

“It can be hard to balance everything, but the most important advice that I can share is to take the time to relax," he said.

"I’m a social person that loves spending time with friends, but I value my alone time doing something low energy like watching a show or movie just as much.” 

After Stephen graduates, he will be traveling around Europe for a couple of months, eager to experience new walks of life and cultures. 

Prior to this placement, I didn’t really know that there were so many types of marketing job. Being able to learn so much internally, and from all the agencies externally has been incredibly valuable.

Bachelor of Business Professional Practice Program Manager Dr Simon Thornton said It's great to see students like Stephen embracing the principals of applied learning via internships at RMIT.

“Mark Twain once said, 'the secret of getting ahead is getting started' and all RMIT students can now do this during undergraduate study."

“Class based activity provides the baseline for conceptualising and understanding subject theory and industry practice, but only by directly experiencing how that theory is applied in a context do we grow into future business professionals."

Story: Laura Mullan

17 April 2023

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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The Three P’s: Passion, Placement and Persistence