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Job search business concept awarded by RMIT
An original business concept that helps international students find work to support
their studies in Australia has won two major prizes in RMIT University’s prestigious
2008 Business Plan Competition.
Xenia Consulting Services, whose business venture myjobgenie connects
international students with Australian employers offering part-time and casual jobs,
was awarded the $5,000 Merchantlink third prize and the $5,000 City of Melbourne
International Trade Award at a gala ceremony last week.
Team Leader Samuel Johns, of Richmond, said he was excited to receive such
recognition for the recruitment start-up from the judges of the competition, which
this year awarded $70,000 in prizes.
“There’s a really high demand for this kind of service because international
students can really struggle in the employment market,” Mr Johns said.
“By making it easier for these students to find part-time work, we hope not just to
help them support their studies but also enhance their experience in Australia.”
Myjobgenie plans to operate out of India and Australia, helping students prepare
resumes and cover letters before their departure and offering interview training on
arrival in Australia. Employers are able to search a database listing the students’
profiles to match their labour requirements.
The annual competition – one of the largest of its type in Australia – is open to
RMIT students worldwide and encourages student teams to create innovative
businesses and ideas through the development of competitive business plans.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said the
judges had trouble separating the finalists because of the high standards of all the
entries.
“Every year, this competition reveals the incredible creativity of our students and
2008 was no exception,” Professor Gardner said.
“The concepts in our top eight ranged from a free comedy show website to a start-
up aiming to manufacture hybrid fuel cells for the next generation of green cars.
We congratulate all our entrants and look forward to discovering the innovative
business plans that RMIT students will bring to the competition in 2009.”
For interviews: Samuel Johns, 0438 588 705, and RMIT Business Plan
Competition Manager, Fiona Sullivan, (03) 9925 5189.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Media and Communications,
Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
20 October, 2008
NEWS 
