Just three years after graduating from Macquarie University with a psychology degree, Courtney Muir is now an engagement associate at Cochlear, a company that’s produced more than 650,000 hearing implants for people in more than 180 countries worldwide.
Big steps: After her successful graduate position, Courtney Muir was offered a role at Cochlear in early 2020.
Muir started at Cochlear as a graduate intern in early 2019. She was plunged into the deep end with an in-depth research task. Working directly under the President of the Asia Pacific Region of Cochlear, she researched hearing health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
It’s an area close to Muir’s heart. She has Indigenous heritage herself and most of her family is involved in Indigenous education and health. Over the year, she had to present her research findings to key stakeholders within Cochlear.
Muir says her degree at Macquarie prepared her well. “I had already learned how to do rigorous research, work under pressure, write with attention to detail and do presentations. Now I could use those skills with confidence in my internship,” she says. In addition to her core psychology courses, her general electives – particularly about society and culture – had helped her gain a wider perspective on the world.
During her years at Macquarie, Muir had also been a student ambassador, encouraging and supporting new students. She also went on an exchange to the University of Roehampton in the UK for a month where she gained experience in art psychotherapy.
Innovators with 'hunger and drive'
Muir’s manager is Joanna Hegazy, the company’s Engagement Manager for Australia and New Zealand. Four out of the six people on Hegazy’s team are Macquarie graduates. “Students from Macquarie, like Courtney, have a growth mindset,” she says. “They grow, adapt and problem-solve, to help them succeed in some very challenging roles.”
Solution seekers: Macquarie students are innovators, says Joanna Hegazy (pictured), Cochlear's Engagement Manager.
After her successful grad position, Muir was offered a role at Cochlear in early 2020 as an engagement associate. interacting with people who are about to get cochlear implants.
She assesses each person individually, then provides them with information and counselling before and after their surgery, using the tools and support services at Cochlear to serve their needs. Currently, she’s providing support to about 450 people.
I couldn’t be happier. I will forever be an advocate for Macquarie because they prepared me and taught me so much.
“The Macquarie students have a hunger and drive to understand how our company works,” Hegazy says. “They are innovators, improving the processes we currently have to enhance their effectiveness. They’re always coming up with new solutions! I am proud to have such a capable and work-ready team of Macquarie graduates.”
Outside her current role, Muir is also in Cochlear’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group, which is taking the proposals she made as a graduate intern and turning them into action. She also co-runs the company’s social committee for all Cochlear employees in Asia-Pacific.
Muir says she’s really enjoying all her involvement with the company and looking forward to taking on more challenges and opportunities. “I couldn’t be happier. I will forever be an advocate for Macquarie because they prepared me and taught me so much.”
COURTNEY MUIR
Degree: Bachelor of Psychology. Graduated 2018.
My job: Engagement Associate at Cochlear
Three ways MQ supported me to be job-ready:
- Getting involved in extracurricular activities: “When I was at uni I got involved in social, cultural and academic projects and groups and so it was natural for me to get involved when I came to Cochlear and be part of the social committee and the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. Cochlear really lets you work beyond your role and uni prepared me for that.”
- Student exchange to London. “It made me more confident to connect with others. It made me really get out of my comfort zone.”
- PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) and student internship as a lab assistant. “The PACE program is a professional subject that you can do in your last year and it prepares you for life in the workforce. You learn about what to wear, what to do in meetings and basically how to be a good employee."
How I apply what I learned at Macquarie in the workplace:
“I had already learned how to do rigorous research, work under pressure, write with attention to detail and do presentations. Now I could use those skills with confidence in the workplace.”
Advice to prospective students:
“University has the potential to be a spectacular learning curve, so it is important to enjoy the journey and give every opportunity a big 'YES'!
"The delayed gratification of completing a degree can be challenging, however, the energy, time and dedication allows you to join an industry of your passion and start making a unique difference ... so it is worth the wait!”
