I caught up with Shailan Patel, who leads MYOB’s education channel across ANZ, working at the intersection of universities and industry. We spoke about the widening gap between study and work, and what “job-ready” really means today.
📍 Q: You’ve built one of the most engaged education channels in ANZ. What was the biggest gap you saw between university learning and industry expectations?
Shailan: “The pace of change. Years ago, the transition from education to employment was much shorter. Today, it can take much longer for graduates to feel established. That’s part of why we built the education channel at MYOB, to help businesses and students succeed together.
It’s more challenging for young people now, but there are also more opportunities. Career paths aren’t linear. Just because you study accounting doesn’t mean you’ll become an accountant. The data supports that. Collaboration between education and industry is more vital than ever. The question is: how do we engage students earlier and help them navigate these changing journeys?”
📍 Q: You work with thousands of students each year. What’s the most common mistake early talent makes when transitioning from study to work?
Shailan: “They underestimate themselves. I’ve never met a student with nothing to offer, but many struggle to articulate their value. If they haven’t interned at a Big 4 firm, they assume everything else doesn’t count.
But working retail, handling difficult customers, playing sport, or leading projects builds transferable skills: communication, resilience, problem-solving. The issue isn’t ability, it’s recognising and framing those skills. Students often don’t give themselves enough credit. They already have tools in their toolkit.”
📍 Q: What does ‘job-ready’ mean in 2026, and what do students misunderstand about it?
Shailan: “Job-ready doesn’t mean perfect on day one. There’s still heavy focus on technical skills. If a job ad lists Power BI and you don’t know it, many talk themselves out of applying. They see it as black and white. But employers can teach technical skills. What matters is mindset. Are you willing to learn, adapt, and grow? Soft skills like communication and public speaking are developed over time, you never ‘arrive’ at perfection. Being job-ready is about showing potential and the willingness to keep developing.”
📍 Q: One message for the world
Shailan: “If you have the opportunity to study or work abroad, take it. There’s no substitute for that experience.”
✨ Key Takeaway:
Shailan reminds us that readiness isn’t about mastery, it’s about mindset. In a world of evolving careers, self-awareness, adaptability, and the courage to back yourself matter more than ticking every technical box.
