I’ve always been someone who likes to get involved, a trait that I developed during my years at Ivanhoe Girls’. From the classroom to the Performing Arts Centre, I was eager to take every opportunity. I graduated in 2017 with ambition and a clear vision of what “success” looked like. I carried that drive into Monash University, throwing myself into extra-curriculars just as I had at school – eventually serving as President of the Monash Marketing Students’ Society.

By university graduation, that path had led me exactly where I thought I wanted to be: staring at a few Graduate Role offers. On paper, they were perfect - safe, stable, and respected. But in reality, I felt like I was trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t designed for me. I realised I didn’t want to just maintain the status quo; I wanted to challenge it. 

My career “pivot” happened before I even started. Instead of following the safe path, I took a risk on a role I discovered through my network, joining Benefit Pocket, a corporate startup inside Bupa. Suddenly, I was working in an agile environment where we had to build, create, and move fast. That energy was addictive, and it became the launchpad that eventually propelled me to Google.

Now, as an Associate Product Marketing Manager at Google, I’ve found a role that matches that desire to grow. It’s been a whirlwind of “pinch-me” moments, from leading my first TV ad for the AFL Season in Search campaign to launching AI Mode across Australia and New Zealand. The role is also enabling me to see more of the world, taking me on work trips to San Francisco, New York, and Bangkok.

But what I’m most proud of isn’t just the product launches; it’s the work that aligns with my values. My passion for championing inclusivity started at Ivanhoe Girls’ and grew at Bupa, where I partnered with Paralympics Australia. This thread has continued at Google, where leading our partnerships for the NIMAs (National Indigenous Music Awards) has been a career highlight.

My advice is to embrace the things that scare you. If you are offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t worry about the specific seat, just get on. Focus on whether you are learning and growing.

Finally, never underestimate the power of your community. The friends you make now and the network you build are the real prize, so work hard, but make sure you enjoy the journey along the way.

Laura Jeffries
Class of 2017