Secrets of Success: How This 19-Year-Old Student Accelerated Her Career and Degree in Record Time

Meet Cameron Colvin, a 19-year-old ICMS graduate who has not only earned her bachelor’s degree but has also gained valuable work experience, all before most people her age even start their academic journey.

We sat down with Cameron to uncover the secrets behind her outstanding achievements. Here’s how she managed to accelerate her academic studies and career in record time.

Ambition from the Start

From a young age, Cameron possessed an unparalleled drive and ambition. “I’ve always been ambitious,” she reflects. “Coming from a background where youth was often seen as a disadvantage, I saw it as an opportunity to get a head-start in both my education and career.”

Choosing the Right Path

Cameron recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing). “I initially had my sights set on a career in the business of Fashion,” she explains, “but a marketing class with lecturer Glenn Fraser sparked my interest in marketing.” She was captivated by the psychology of consumer behaviour and realised the versatility of a marketing degree across various industries.

Cameron’s 5 Top Tips for Accelerating Your Career:

1. Accelerate Your Studies

It’s possible to do up to 5 subjects a trimester at ICMS, while working. “Academic acceleration was a goal, but I had to actively pursue it. I needed to take the initiative and make the most of every opportunity.”

2. Work and Study Should Align

“Balancing academic commitments with gaining work experience was no easy feat,” Cameron admits. However, she was dedicated in her approach, ensuring that her work aligned with her studies. “I did work experience in the marketing team for Edgewell Personal Care, a global company with more than 25 market-leading brands Banana Boat, Wet Ones and Schick. And because my internship was in my industry of study, I was able to practice what I learnt in the classroom in a real professional space” she added.

3. Surround yourself with Supporters

While Cameron credits her friends and family for their unwavering support, she also acknowledges the guidance of ICMS staff mentors, specifically Nicole Venter, ICMS Program Manager, who recognised her potential and encouraged her to pursue opportunities in community leadership initiatives.

4. Embrace Lifelong Learning

“Lifelong learning means having a self-motivated desire to fulfil your curiosity. It’s about realising that there’s always more to learn and being open to new knowledge and experiences,” Cameron explains. With a voracious appetite for knowledge and a willingness to embrace new experiences, she sees every opportunity as a chance to grow and evolve.

5. Just say YES

“My biggest piece of advice is to say ‘yes’. ICMS offers numerous opportunities, but it’s up to the students to be brave enough to seize them and succeed. Don’t wait until you’re confident enough; just take the leap.”

Among Cameron’s proudest accomplishments are receiving two scholarships (the ICMS Professional Scholarship and later, the Courtney O’Connor Scholarship) and spearheading the first Student Representative Council (SRC) Masquerade Ball post-COVID, the largest-budget event the SRC had ever organised. “These achievements have been incredibly rewarding,” she says with a smile.

Looking Ahead

“From my work experience, I gleaned essential lessons that will undoubtedly shape my future roles,” Cameron reflects. Learning about sales tracking and B2B business provided her with insights that extend beyond the classroom and will her achieve her goals in the professional world.

“As for my long-term career goals,” Cameron shares, “I aspire to become a business owner, envisioning myself running a creative marketing agency.” Her early academic and professional achievements serve as stepping stones toward realising these ambitions.

Cameron Colvin’s journey is a testament to the power of ambition, perseverance, and seizing opportunities. “By accelerating my academic studies and career at a young age,” she concludes, “I’ve paved the way for a future filled with limitless possibilities.”

Now she wants to encourage other young people to give it a go. “Anyone who bites the bait can achieve what I have. Age is no barrier. I hope my example will encourage others to accelerate their degree – and their career.”