Jade Bujeya
AMSI Summer Research Scholar 2018-19
In this interview, Jade shares how her passion for mathematics led her from studying at La Trobe University, Bendigo and engaging with AMSI programs to building a rewarding career in STEM. Ahead of her presentation at the AMSI Industry Day for Teachers in Bendigo, Jade reflects on her career journey, the importance of numeracy, and why events like this are vital for inspiring the next generation of students in regional Australia.
What did you study at La Trobe Bendigo and what drew you to pursue a career in STEM?
I started off studying Law/Science with a Genetics major, but dropped the Law component after a semester and changed my major to Mathematics. I loved maths, and while it wasn’t and has never been my only passion, it was something that most of the authority figures in my life believed would stand me in good stead, as indeed it has.
How did your studies at La Trobe Bendigo shape your career journey?
My studies at La Trobe introduced me to the tight link between mathematical concepts and technological realities.
What’s been a highlight in your career so far?
My team. I’m privileged to work with an amazing group of people who have welcomed and supported me in my professional journey.
What advice would you give to students or young people considering STEM-related careers?
It is my limited and entirely subjective opinion that, right now, and to an ever-increasing degree, numeracy is as important to one’s career as literacy. Embracing that as a secondary student is vital to building a strong foundation. People say it’s never too late to catch up, and that’s true, but no one wants to spend his or her life playing catch up unnecessarily.
Why do you think events such as the AMSI Industry day for Teachers are important for teachers across Australia, particularly in regional areas?
The economic and technological landscape is changing rabidly, and it’s vital that teachers be empowered to build curricula that represent that. Education provides your people with a map of the possibilities available to them, and if certain fields or opportunities aren’t on those maps, they might as well not exist.
Learn more and register here for the AMSI Industry Day for Teachers events
