Vanessa Lam
29 September 2017: Luka Kaleb began building his career from an early age.
“I remember getting an equipped kid’s tool belt for my sixth birthday and I was hooked,” Mr Kaleb, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Building and Construction Management, said.
“My dad is a builder and I remember being fascinated watching an empty block of land transform into a beautiful home. I have a genuine appreciation for the industry that has helped shape who I am today.”
The 22-year-old will receive his degree on Wednesday but that won’t be the end of his time at the University’s Bruce campus.
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University of Canberra graduate Luka Kaleb is now working in his dream job at the University. Photo: Vanessa Lam
He is working as a Graduate Project Manager at Turner & Townsend where he provides construction consultancy services on building refurbishments and campus facility upgrades, within the University’s Campus Estate team. “I love that I now get to put into practice what I have learned, in the same location and buildings where I completed my degree,” Mr Kaleb said.
Mr Kaleb said the course content has helped him make a seamless transition into the workforce.
“It has been a really unique experience. I started working part time during my final year of study. Getting that industry and hands-on experience really helped to put what I learnt in the classroom into practice.”
“It’s great because I get to work on so many different projects across the University. I have immense pride in the University of Canberra and I’m excited to help play a role in its development. It means a lot to me,” he said.
Mr Kaleb said the University’s focus on preparing career-ready graduates appealed to him.
“I researched similar degrees elsewhere and I felt that UC’s building and construction management course was exactly what I wanted in a degree.”
“I was confident it was the perfect place for me to grow and that it would provide me with the right tools to build the career I wanted. I am confident it has.”
Read more coverage from the University of Canberra's most recent round of graduations:
Gender equality advocate chalks up another victory
Chancellor confers daughter's degree
Indigenous education champion honoured with UC degree
UC degree an honour for human rights advocate
