Self investment

Sara Cuming, 25, financial accountant

Like many young women straight out of high school, Sara Cuming had little idea what to look for in a career. She knew she wanted financial security and an interesting and varied job, but wasn’t every other school leaver after the same thing? To give herself an edge, she took on the challenge of a double degree in commerce and arts at the University of Queensland. She knew she’d be saddled with a sizeable HECS debt at the end, but it seemed a small price to pay when she looked at the earning potential of most graduates.

Sara’s gamble paid off. While she was hitting the books, the increasing shortage of skilled workers was driving up graduate salaries, leading to a boom time for university leavers. Graduate salaries are now at an all-time high in Australia, so when she left university, Sara was able to walk into a job she loved that also offered a steady picture of future financial gain.

It took Sara three years of university before she knew she wanted a career in commerce rather than arts. The accounting industry was booming, so Sara jumped at a job with a large accounting firm that offered a good wage, a strong graduate training program and plenty of opportunities for advancement.

"It wasn’t all about money, but I did think accounting would give me greater options financially," says Brisbane-based Sara. "I liked the accounting side of commerce and most firms had good graduate programs. That was a consideration for me – that they were going to help with my training. In the beginning, my wage was fairly comparable with other graduates: about $30,000. You start on a basic income, but you know that within a few years your income will increase," she says.

Words: Kate de Brito. Photography: Scott Hawkins. Hair & Make-up: Karissa Mclaren