From RMIT graduates to business owners and ACAA honourees

RMIT alum Monika Tu and Eric Gao were recognised at the 16th Australia China Alumni Awards (ACAA), having achieved remarkable career success in Australia as business owners and trailblazers within their respective fields.

Hailing from China, Monika made her way to RMIT after receiving a scholarship, which recognised her past experiences in international tourism and interpreting and led to her studying International Trade at RMIT.

Meanwhile, Eric completed Foundation Studies through an RMIT partner program in China, before also making the journey to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) at RMIT.

Incredibly humbled to be recognised for their career success and impact so far, Monika was proud to receive the ACAA Medal for Social Influence, while Eric was honoured to receive the award for Business Achievement and Alumni Enterprise.  

The pair’s recent accolades are just two of many similarities across their student and career journeys – from starting afresh in Australia and creating fond memories at RMIT, to their sheer determination and passion for social impact.

Eric Gao, Founder and CEO of Boman Group, receives the Business Achievement and Alumni Enterprise award at the 16th ACAA ceremony, held at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

From RMIT students to business owners

Monika, Founder and Director of the Black Diamondz Group, embraced various roles after graduating from RMIT, including selling cosmetics and working in a computer shop.

Taking every opportunity that came her way, Monika discovered her strengths and learnt to let go of old expectations to embrace new directions.

“[Before coming to Australia] I was working in foreign affairs as an interpreter in China, then I got an opportunity to study import and export and English at the same time at RMIT in Australia. [When I arrived, I realised] this is a country where I wanted to stay,” Monika said.

“I started working in Melbourne – I couldn't get a proper job [initially], so I started selling cosmetics and then insurance.

“I think the point is that it doesn't matter what you study, [it’s how you utilise your strengths and learnings] to build your craft and take your next opportunity.

“Psychologically, you have to overcome ideals, or what you were before. Just grab the opportunity you have now and make the most out of it. All this [has] built me up [to] the way I am today.”

Eric, Founder and CEO of Boman Group, has been a trailblazer in wealth management and capital market advisory since he founded the firm in 2011, overseeing the growth of the company from managing no funds to handling over A$650 million in assets.

The early stages of Eric’s career after graduating from RMIT were also characterised by his perseverance. He started out assembling computers and door -knocking as a mortgage broker.

“I was fortunate to study for my career while working in a computer shop assembling computers. But then I realised I can't just keep doing this. I better speak with someone at the front desk so I can improve my English. So I asked my boss to give me two hours a day where I could speak with people and improve my English.”

“Then I started as a commission-based mortgage broker so I could get into the finance industries. It was really tough. I had to literally go door knocking to restaurants, milk bars, bottle shops, and say, okay, I'm here to sell you [a] mortgage and 99% of people would say no. But you learn how to be rejected and learn how to adapt.”

RMIT experience and teacher impact

Reflecting on the early stages of their careers, both Monika and Eric credit their RMIT experience as the foundation of their success – with their teachers and learning experience instilling the confidence to pursue their dreams, despite the challenges of living in a new country.

Monika expressed gratitude for the support she received as an international student.

“As a new student from a foreign country and studying in a new environment, it was challenging, particularly given my English language wasn’t amazing, but the teachers, and the way they teach you at RMIT is that they really nurture you. They work with you on what you're good at, and help you improve what you're not so good at. They dedicated their time to me, even after hours, to help me understand the way of study and work in Australia, and gave me the best possible learning experience,” Monika said.

Eric mirrored Monika’s sentiment.

“What I took away from my experience at RMIT, was that it was a very welcoming, warm and steady environment – it made you feel comfortable to figure out what you are good at and what you are not so good at.

“You weren’t penalised if you weren’t doing well with your studies or during lectures. Instead, you were always encouraged to ask questions and share your thoughts, and if there were things you didn't know, the teachers tried to help you learn. That experience, I think culturally and practically, really helped prepare me to have the confidence to get into the job market and eventually start a business,” Eric said.

Inspiration and social influence

As the winner of the ACAA Medal for Social Influence, Monika reflected that giving back to the community and inspiring others is her ultimate goal.

“I want to lead up – lead a community, lead other migrants, overseas students, and women, like me. [I believe that you] should give if you have something to give. Giving back to society, giving back to community. That is my goal.”

“I was actually awarded for one of the events we did this year [for the Sydney Children’s Hospital] – collectively the event raised $33.44 million, which I'm very proud of. So that's the most important, the impact you have. Just giving back to society, giving back to community. I think that's incredible.”

Receiving the award for Business Achievement and Alumni Enterprise, Eric emphasised the importance of social value in business, embracing emerging technologies and sustainability.

“Business achievements mean different things to different people. How I think about it? It's really the social value the business stands for.

“It’s easy for a business to just think about the business model, how much money we make, how much money we distribute to shareholders, to the employees and people surround us. But I think a true business achievement should be really targeting the social value we can create by running the business. I always believe the business achievement, or the financial returns we have, is a reflection of the social value we can create.”

Monika Tu, Founder and Director of the Black Diamondz Group, receives the ACAA Medal for Social Influence at the Australia China Alumni Awards Sydney ceremony.

Advice for current and future students

Monika believes that students, alumni and business owners alike should be taking chances and seizing opportunities – even if they don’t turn out to be the final destinations in the journey.

“You might get an opportunity [that takes you in one direction] but that one opportunity doesn't mean you have to stay on that path. It's up to you how far you want to take it, it’s about vision. You can be anybody you want to be,” Monika said.

Eric also highlighted the importance of making the most of the entire university experience – pursuing passions, participating in campus activities, and fostering multicultural friendships to become well-rounded candidates for graduate positions and enjoy long-term success.

“Firstly, if you feel like you want to pursue something, do so – passion is the most important thing.

“Secondly, I truly encourage students to participate in other social activities and unique experiences. That's something I didn't make time to enjoy. If students have a chance, I strongly encourage them to get involved in other campus activities – it could be sports, music, anything, so when it comes to the job market, you bring other experiences outside of your degree. Activities can demonstrate skill sets other than just the academic results you have.

“And third, just try to make a lot of friends. Make multicultural friends, because eventually your peers will be the ones you bump into and encounter in your future career.”

Discover more about Monika and Eric’s business empires; Black Diamondz and the Boman Group.

Story: Jacqueline Guldon

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