Balancing life as a Project Officer and YouTube Creator with Hasit

My name is Hasit, originally from Mumbai, India. I completed my Master of Project Management at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in 2023 and currently work as a Project Officer.

Beyond my professional journey, I have a long-standing passion for cooking. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I successfully ran a home-based pizza delivery service. More recently, I launched my own YouTube channel, where I’m focusing on growing my presence in the culinary space.

Before moving to Perth, I earned my Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) in the United Kingdom and worked as a Design Engineer in Turkey. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for management, which led me to pursue further studies in Project Management in Perth.

There were several reasons I chose Perth. The city's weather and coastal location reminded me of Mumbai, as both are located on the west coast. Both cities are full of opportunities and share a sunny, vibrant vibe.

Perth also boasts some of the world’s most stunning sunsets, breathtaking landscapes, and a more relaxed pace of life compared to Mumbai.

And, of course, I couldn’t resist studying at the same university attended by legends like Hugh Jackman and Heath Ledger!

Studying in Perth has been a uniquely refreshing experience. After living in the fast-paced environments of India, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, Perth’s balanced, laid-back vibe has been a welcoming change. I start my day early, wrap up work sooner, and have more time for myself—whether that’s creating content for my YouTube channel or hanging out with friends.

During my studies at ECU, several highlights stand out. I had the privilege of representing ECU at the CISWA conference, sharing my student journey with government and industry leaders. As President of Enactus ECU, I led the Sustainability Festival project for two years, helping our community embrace sustainable living. Our hard work earned us a spot in the ENACTUS Nationals semi-finals. And being chosen as the graduation speaker was an indescribable honour.

Being an international student comes with its challenges, but if you’re determined, you can make things work.

I took full advantage of the opportunities at ECU—attending lectures, seminars, panel discussions, and networking events with industry experts. Building connections and learning from their experiences helped me refine my approach and avoid common pitfalls. My university also offered comprehensive support: cover letter and CV workshops, mock interviews, psychometric test prep. The advice I received during orientation, “Take one step forward, and ECU will take 10 steps with you,” has been absolutely true.

Currently, I’m a Project Officer at ECU’s School of Business and Law. It’s a role full of challenges where no two days are alike! The transition from student life has been smooth, especially since I work alongside many of my former professors and lecturers. The best part? The people. My dad always said, “Choose people, not the organisation, it’s the people who create the magic,” and now I truly understand what he meant.

My career since graduation has been a thrilling rollercoaster! From being a student to now working alongside my former lecturers, I’ve completed projects ahead of schedule, transitioned from the Accreditation to the Research department, and even set up a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) process from scratch.

Personally, Perth has taught me to live in the moment and embrace the present.

If you’re on the fence about coming to Perth, take that leap of faith! There will be challenges, but this city has a way of giving you exactly what you need. It worked for me, and I know it will work for you too!