My career identity has developed through education, work experience, entrepreneurship and changing professional interests. Before commencing my Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce at Edith Cowan University, I worked in mechanical engineering across manufacturing, mining and design. Moving from this technical background into Law and Commerce, while becoming involved in business and technology projects, has shown me that I do not see my career as being defined by a single occupation. Instead, I increasingly understand it as an evolving combination of my experiences, capabilities, interests and longer-term goals.

Boyle (2022) provides the main framework through which I have reflected on this development. Boyle describes career identity as encompassing the aspirations, values and beliefs through which individuals understand themselves in relation to their careers. Importantly, the study demonstrates that career identity can continue to develop beyond university as graduates encounter new experiences, reconsider what they value and explore different career possibilities. Boyle's emphasis on adaptability, self-drive and intrinsic motivation is particularly relevant to me because my own career direction has not followed a single predetermined pathway.

My mechanical engineering background developed practical and technical problem-solving skills, while my later interests expanded into business, finance, law and technology. My involvement with Six Diamonds has allowed me to apply research and technology planning within a financial environment, while founding Understand Technologies has given me opportunities to develop financial tools and work on technology projects. Rather than viewing these experiences as unrelated career changes, Boyle's framework has helped me recognise them as contributing to a broader career identity centred on problem solving, research, technology and entrepreneurship.

This understanding is supported by Jackson et al. (2025), who identify career insight, career confidence, professional identity, networking and social support as interconnected resources in graduate career development. Their discussion of career insight is especially useful because it involves understanding one's strengths and weaknesses and developing realistic career goals. This has encouraged me to recognise that career development requires not only technical knowledge, but also reflection, professional relationships and a willingness to reassess my direction as I gain experience.

Cebon et al. (2026) add another important perspective by arguing that employability can involve transformation from a student identity towards a graduate professional identity. Their study associates professional identity change with career clarity, perceived ability to secure preferred employment and workplace performance. For me, the important lesson is that completing a degree and acquiring skills are not sufficient by themselves. I also need to develop how I think and act professionally by becoming more comfortable with uncertainty, working collaboratively, continuing to learn and considering how my skills can create value for others.

Looking forward, my interests are developing towards financial technology and artificial intelligence. However, Boyle's (2022) findings remind me that career identity can remain fluid as experiences and motivations change. I therefore view graduation not as the completion of my career preparation, but as another stage in an ongoing process of learning and development. I intend to strengthen my career identity through practical experience, continuous learning, professional networks and reflection while remaining open to how my future experiences may reshape my direction.

References

Boyle, K. A. (2022). Career identities and Millennials’ response to the graduate transition to work: Lessons learned. Journal of Education and Work, 35(1), 78–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2021.2009782

Cebon, P., Hill, J. L., Akcakin, V., Male, S., Doyle, R., & Kenny, J. (2026). From classroom to career: Identity transformation as a key to graduate employability. Higher Education Research & Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2026.2655395

Jackson, D., Lambert, C., Tofa, M., Bridgstock, R., & Sibson, R. (2025). Career resources and securing quality work: Graduate perspectives. Studies in Continuing Education, 47(2), 436–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2024.2410182

Vinod Ramachandra

Law & Commerce Graduate 2026 | Entrepreneurship | Fintech | Technology

Perth, Western Australia
Email: vinodthedreamer@gmail.com
Phone: 0488611915

Professional Profile

Final-year Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce student at Edith Cowan University with a multidisciplinary background spanning mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, financial technology and software development. Currently involved in business ventures in Australia and India, with responsibilities across research, technology planning and the development of financial tools. Previous experience in manufacturing, mining and mechanical design provides an additional technical foundation. Interested in opportunities that combine business, technology, analytical problem solving and innovation.

Education

Bachelor of Laws
Edith Cowan University
Expected Completion: 2026

Bachelor of Commerce
Edith Cowan University
Expected Completion: 2026

Advanced Diploma in CNC Manufacturing Technology
GTTC Bangalore, India
Indo-Danish Institute

Entrepreneurial & Professional Experience

Founder | Understand Technologies
Perth, Western Australia
[2025] – Present

• Founded a fintech company focused on developing financial tools for trading and investment.
• Undertake software development, research and technology planning.
• Work on selected technology projects in a solution architecture capacity.
• Analyse business and technical requirements and develop practical technology solutions.
• Currently developing the company's operations, with plans to establish a presence in India.

Co-Owner | Six Diamonds
Bangalore, India
[2024] – Present

• Co-owner of a group of six small fund management companies.
• Focus on research, technology planning and financial tool development.
• Research approaches to supporting trading and investment activities through technology.
• Collaborate with business partners responsible for operational and day-to-day trading activities.

Previous Technical Experience

Mechanical Engineering – Manufacturing, Mining & Design
[Donhad perth 2011 to 21015, Linkforce, perth 2018 to 2022]

• Worked across mechanical engineering environments including manufacturing, mining and design.
• Gained practical experience in CNC manufacturing and mechanical systems.
• Developed experience working within technical and operational environments.
• Applied technical problem-solving, precision and practical engineering knowledge.

Key Skills

• Research and Analytical Problem Solving
• Technology Planning
• Software and Financial Tool Development
• Solution Architecture
• Business and Commercial Awareness
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Technology
• Project Development
• Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing
• Communication and Teamwork
• Legal and Commercial Research

Professional Interests

Financial Technology | Artificial Intelligence | Entrepreneurship | Software Development | Financial Systems | Technology Research | Business Innovation

References available upon request.