UWA Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) student Saud Ibrahim experienced first-hand the intersection of business strategy and community impact during his McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with the Centre for Stories.
Motivated by a desire to apply his studies in a meaningful way, Saud wanted an experience that extended beyond the classroom.
“I wanted to gain practical experience while contributing to an organisation that creates positive community impact,” he said.
Saud was tasked with developing a Revenue and Sponsorship Strategy Report to support the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability. His work involved conducting market research, analysing comparable organisations, identifying sponsorship opportunities and building revenue models, alongside exploring potential corporate partnerships.
At the same time, the role required him to think beyond purely technical analysis. Translating detailed research into clear, actionable strategies proved challenging, particularly when balancing structured data with creative thinking.
Reflecting on his experience, Saud said the internship gave him new insight into how community organisations operate behind the scenes.
“It gave me a much deeper understanding of the challenges organisations face in maintaining long-term sustainability,” he said. “It also highlighted the importance of relationships, trust and collaboration.”
His supervisor, Robert Wood, praised the quality of his work and the value of his contribution.
“Saud was brilliant and has produced a useful and engaging piece of research.” he said.
The experience has also shaped Saud’s approach to his future career, giving him greater confidence in tackling real organisational challenges.
“It helped me build practical skills in research, communication, strategic planning and stakeholder analysis,” he said.
Saud encourages other students to consider a McCusker Centre internship, particularly those looking to connect their studies with broader social impact.
“It was rewarding to see how strategic planning and business research can support organisations that create meaningful social impact,” Saud said. “It provides valuable real-world experience while encouraging students to think about active citizenship and community contribution.”