On Tuesday 16th May, about 350 high school students from around Newcastle NSW visited The University of Newcastle for a Big Day In event.

It was delightful to hear from a wide range of local businesses in the Newcastle and NSW Central Coast region sharing with the students about the opportunities they potentially have in their region if they study an ICT course and have a passion for modern technology.

Tim Crakanthorp, State Member for Newcastle and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary, opened the event and encouraged the students to talk to the local industry reps, ask them questions and make the most from this experience.

I had the honour of being the opening keynote presenter and encouraged the students to turn their passions into a job now while they are still at school. I told them, to keep studying and learning but not to wait until their formal education was over before they started their own businesses. I encouraged them to think entrepreneurially and globally and develop their digital media skills.

I suggested that if anyone asked what they were going to do when they left school, they should answer by saying I am going to be a lifelong learner and creator.

It was great having Adobe Customer Success Managers Jerry Wong and Anna Nakao with me for this event. They met with many of the students and showed them how to access the Adobe applications (for free if they were from NSW Government schools) and how to get help via Adobe’s Help & Support site – https://helpx.adobe.com