This week, I sat down with Riley James Pitcher, an enthusiastic Real Estate Advisory & Project Management Intern at EY and the President of the Deakin Commerce Society. Riley is also diligently pursuing his studies in Commerce and Property & Real Estate at Deakin University.
đź“ŤQ: How have your academic studies in Commerce and Property & Real Estate at Deakin University complemented your practical experiences at EY?
Riley: “I chose Property and Commerce because I wanted a niche in this fast-paced world. Property feels more hands-on, and Deakin has helped me build a strong connection to the industry. The Commerce side provides networking opportunities, grounding my education and complementing the Property coursework. These disciplines together have opened opportunities beyond the classroom.”
đź“ŤQ: As President of the Deakin Commerce Society, what have been your most significant achievements?
Riley: “My biggest achievement has been developing an extensive network and building the Financial Planning Division in its inaugural year. Our Society has consistently collaborated with 15-20 firms across the year, and there have been guest appearances by other top tier firms.
The goal going forward is to keep expanding this network. I have already begun this by forming a partnership with all Commerce Societies in Melbourne and have started looking for opportunities’ interstate. Just last week I even had a kick off meeting with a couple of societies in Auckland. Given our large cohort of international students, pushing beyond the borders will be particularly important going forward.”
đź“ŤQ: Balancing a demanding role at EY and President duties at Deakin Commerce Society with your studies must require exceptional organization and time management skills. Can you share some strategies that have helped you manage both effectively?
Riley: “The key to managing my roles effectively is having a solid support system and keeping tasks separate. Flexibility and prioritization are crucial; sometimes, you need choose what to focus on and come back to other priorities later. My drive to excel comes from a mindset that you need to be willing to get your hands dirty and just give everything a go.
đź“ŤQ: One message for the world?
Riley: “Chase every opportunity, you may face rejection, but ‘no’ simply stands for ‘next opportunity’. The question you want to ask is: what if they say, yes?
✨ Key Takeaways:
Riley’s insights underscore the importance of integrating education with real-world applications and the transformative impact of proactive leadership on both personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the importance of a strong support network and the effective separation of work and personal life to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
