Career summary

Shana Ryan is a Project Coordinator specialising in multicultural communication and marketing. Her career is defined by a deep-seated commitment to promoting cross-cultural comprehension. Shana has an American background but was born and raised in Japan, and her journey led her to Australia, where she pursued her Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Applied Linguistics (MA) degrees at Monash University.

Her unique cultural background and extensive education have equipped her with valuable insights into multicultural dynamics, the intricate interplay of language and culture within communities and communication strategies.

Career pathway

2023 – Project Coordinator, CulturalPulse
2022 – Graduated from Monash University
2021 – Project Management Intern, Ethnolink
2021 – Project Consultant, City of Melbourne

Why did you choose to study at Monash University for your Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Applied Linguistics?

As an international student looking for top universities in Melbourne, I was drawn to Monash due to its excellent reputation and the Bachelor of Arts program offered a wide range of majors and diverse options. At the time, I wasn't entirely sure about my career path, so having such a variety of majors was appealing. I heard that Melbourne was a great city to live in, so it was the best of both worlds, great university, great city. What truly set Monash apart, and what ultimately influenced my decision, was the opportunity to complete both the Bachelor of Arts and the Masters in only four years—a unique offering that I didn't find elsewhere.

During my first year, I found myself naturally gravitating towards linguistics and English language studies, as they resonated with my multicultural background of being born and raised in Japan as an American and now residing in Australia. Meeting people from diverse cultural backgrounds and sharing experiences related to language, culture, and identity in our classes was incredibly enriching. I loved how you have the option in this major to study the technical side of language like phonetics, or you could choose the practical side of language like culture, identity and multicultural multilingual societies, which can relate to all fields.

How did your time at Monash University shape your career?

My time at Monash significantly influenced my career in several ways. I developed research, critical thinking, and writing skills through various assessments. I gained insights into language, culture and multilingual contexts allowing me to solve real-world problems. Beyond technical skills, I enhanced my interpersonal abilities, fostering empathy and sensitivity towards people from diverse cultural and language backgrounds. It gave me a good appreciation for the cultural values and the worldviews that people have and my time at Monash led me to seek opportunities in the multicultural space.

I am proud to be part of CulturalPulse, a multicultural agency that aligns with my values and specialises in authentically engaging culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across a range of multicultural projects and campaigns. One notable project was our involvement in the first-ever multicultural fan engagement program for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, which saw record-breaking ticket sales. It was a great success and I was proud to be a part of that historic event through my work.

Can you tell us about your academic achievements and how they're related to your career goals?

One significant academic achievement was receiving the Lahr Bequest Award for the Master of Applied Linguistics, an award recognising outstanding academic achievement and contributions to academic leadership. I was also awarded the Arts Graduate Leadership Program certificate, which allowed me to build practical experience and leadership skills through a peer mentoring scheme, supporting first-year students in the Master of Applied Linguistics program. These accomplishments closely align with my career goals, setting me up for success in the multicultural field.

How did your role as an Undergraduate Research Leader at CURIE contribute to your research and leadership skills?

My involvement in the Centre for Undergraduate Research Initiatives and Excellence (CURIE), and my role as an Undergraduate Research Leader in the research program during my undergraduate studies was highly influential. I was part of a research team, and the experience pushed me out of my comfort zone. Working with students from various backgrounds and faculties allowed me to undertake intensive research projects, enhancing my skills in multidisciplinary collaboration.

This experience taught me the importance of clear and consistent communication within diverse teams, and to further develop my research and leadership skills, which were essential in my academic and professional journey. Leading a team of students in constructing a research grant proposal was an invaluable experience. This role involved sharing sophisticated research ideas, creating literature reviews, and innovation strategies, developing timelines and activities, assessing feasibility, benefits, dissemination plans, and managing budgets. These responsibilities significantly honed my leadership and research skills, which I continue to apply.

What skills and insights did you gain from your internship, particularly in managing translation and localisation projects?

My internship at Ethnolink, my first true professional experience during my master's degree, I remember being very nervous, but eager to step foot into the professional workplace. I learned about general project management, including communication with clients, project planning, monitoring, and multitasking across different projects.

The ability to multitask efficiently while maintaining high-quality work was a crucial skill I developed. Working within a diverse team taught me the significance of clear and consistent communication which is a key insight for me to learn and grow. I'm naturally an introverted person so it was at the start a bit difficult to communicate clearly and that internship helped me understand the importance of effective communication within a team.

How have your extracurricular activities, such as the Cultural Bridge Institute and Arts Graduate Leadership Program, contributed to your personal and professional development?

My participation in activities like Cultural Bridge Institute and Arts Graduate Leadership Program played a pivotal role in my personal and professional development. At Cultural Bridge Institute, I worked on projects aimed at bridging local Australian students with international students. It also provided me with a unique opportunity to work with students from various backgrounds, contributing to my ability to lead diverse teams effectively.

Can you tell us about your City of Melbourne internship within the Study Melbourne Live Project Program and the business project you worked on? What solutions or recommendations did you provide?

During my City of Melbourne internship within the Study Melbourne Live Project Program, my team conducted research on the city's International Student Services, focusing on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic made it essential to address the needs of international students, who required government support more than ever.

Our recommendations and presentation left a positive impression on City of Melbourne senior staff members, who expressed interest in implementing our recommendations. It was a rewarding experience to do that research, report and present our findings.

What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Applied Linguistics?

My advice to students considering a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Applied Linguistics is to approach the program with an open mind. Engage in open conversations about your linguistic and cultural background in classes and relate these experiences to the subject matter. This dialogue not only enriches your understanding but also bridges theory to real-world experiences.

The program is highly practical, developing not only technical skills in language and culture but also fostering interpersonal skills like empathy and effective communication. This focus on interpersonal skills is crucial in the workplace, so cherish these experiences.

As Australia is a multicultural country with 51% of Australians identifying as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), understanding the implications of multiculturalism is vital. Recognise and have an awareness of this diversity and a sensitivity to these cultural variations and you'll be well-prepared for a career that values inclusivity and diversity.