ABSA 2019 President: Justin Shaw

​The ABSA Board has appointed Macquarie University student Justin Shaw as President for 2019.

Justin Shaw has been a valuable member of ABSA’s team, working together with the executive committee to grow and develop the organisation. Transitioning from an operational risk function, he now takes the role of President to further expand opportunities to business students across Australia.

Former President Thomas Ryan had this to say about Justin: “Justin embodies a variety of skills which made him a front runner in the Board’s decision to elect him as President for the 2019 year. His support for ABSA throughout 2018, paired with his leadership in the Macquarie University Business Society, has allowed Justin to understand what students face and the prominent role of ABSA within the university environment and graduate market. After the extensive growth in 2018, I have no doubt that the year ahead will see greater heights for ABSA under Justin’s leadership.”

ABSA’s marketing division interviewed the newly elected President to find out more about him and his vision for the year ahead.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a third-year student at Macquarie University studying a Bachelors of Applied Finance and Bachelors of Economics. I work at a start-up and have a passion for Hockey and Formula 1.

What made you want to nominate for President of ABSA?

After joining the organisation, I was introduced to opportunities and industry professionals which would not have otherwise been there. I came to the realisation that I wanted to provide these opportunities for all business students and believed the role of President would be the best vehicle to achieve this outcome.

What are your goals as President?

My goal is to continue the great work of our Co-founder and Chairman, Thomas Ryan, and to uphold the purpose of the organisation - to advance the education of all Australian business students, through the provision of inclusive access to professional development opportunities. Our key project for the first quarter will be to implement the graduate mentorship program as our flagship program for both students and industry professionals, and to hold our quarterly corporate cocktails.

What do you think are some of the core issues facing business students across Australia?

Students face a lot of challenges when transitioning into the workforce. There is a clear lack of clarity, efficiency and transparency that leaves a lot of students applying for graduate positions unsettled and disenfranchised. We live in a competitive graduate landscape where students are driven towards securing graduate opportunities, often without adequate information nor knowledge of what is required.

How do you think the connection between business students and industry could be improved?

I believe that for the connection between students and industry to be improved, we first have to improve the relationship between university and industry. Professor Ann Brewer of the University of Newcastle said in her paper 'Initiatives for University-Industry Transitions' that we require an "effective alignment of university strategy and priorities alongside creating new avenues to capture, scale and guide industry engagement opportunities through to eventual collaboration." With more collaboration between universities and industry, it would become much easier for students to transition into jobs and opportunities within the industry.

Once again we would like to congratulate Justin Shaw on his election to President of ABSA and wish him all the success in serving the business students of Australia. ABSA would like to thank Thomas Ryan for his tenure as President. He will continue to be part of ABSA in his capacity as Chairman, overseeing strong governance, development of internal controls and unwavering support for business students.