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From classroom to competition: How three Hospitality students pitched an award-winning app

From classroom to competition: How three Hospitality students pitched an award-winning app

Jul 22 2024
Group of four women in formal suits pose with a certificate in hand.
Melbourne Polytechnic's award winning students Samathalin Lay (Thalin), Ma Cristina Pauline Sierra (Pauline) and Hoai Thanh Thuy Nguyen (Mel) with Chief Executive of VTIC, Felicia Mariani.

When Pauline moved from the Philippines to study at Melbourne Polytechnic, she was excited about the opportunity to explore all the regional areas around the city.

Little did she know that her experiences would inspire an award-winning business idea.

The Birth of WanderWork

Together with her classmates Mel and Thalin, Pauline helped develop a business plan for WanderWork, a job-matching mobile application designed to connect international students with job opportunities in regional Victoria.

“We realised that many international students couldn’t take time off work to travel, especially during peak seasons like semester breaks and holidays.”

“WanderWork pairs the idea of exploring with the idea of working – two things important to students who move here,” explained Pauline.

In a team of three, the students planned the app-based business as part of their capstone project for the Bachelor of Hospitality Management.

Presenting WanderWork at the 2024 Choose Tourism Careers Expo

At the time, they had no idea that they would end up pitching their idea on the stage at the Choose Tourism Careers Expo.

“Our teachers asked us if we wanted to represent Melbourne Polytechnic for this competition, but we didn’t really know how big the competition would be,” said Pauline.

“When we got there, we were a little nervous to go on stage, but our teachers were so supportive. We all knew it was a once in a lifetime experience.”

Students Mel, Pauline and Thalin on stage presenting their award winning app WanderWork at the 2024 Choose Tourism Careers Expo.

WanderWork aimed to address labour shortages in the tourism, hospitality, and events industries, while supporting the employment of international students.

The team went on to present their idea to a panel of industry leaders, including the founder of Peninsula Hot Springs and a Senior Manager for the Visitor Economy department at the City of Melbourne.

It was a roaring success. The judges even asked about any future plans for the idea and how investment might work.

“We felt like we were on the TV show Shark Tank, it was so cool!” recalls Pauline.

Later, the team gathered back on stage as they announced the winners of the 2024 Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Students Entrepreneurial Award. That’s when Pauline, Mel and Thalin heard their names.

“You can see in the photos how shocked we are! It was surreal - we had no idea that we were going to win,” says Pauline.

Excitement all around as Bachelor of Hospitality students Mel, Pauline and Thalin win the 2024 Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Students Entrepreneurial Award.

Onstage with the team was their lecturer, Ana Delevska. Pauline says Ana was a huge part of their journey.

“The lecturers at Melbourne Polytechnic are so supportive and genuinely want to help you succeed,” she said.

“Ana always pushed us to think outside the box and challenged us to build on our ideas. She also gave us great feedback as we kept working on it.”

The win not only earned the three students industry recognition and a valuable boost to their resume, but also a $6,000 prize to share.

Although pitching a business to industry leaders wasn’t what Pauline expected from her last semester of studying, she recommends soaking up every opportunity you can.

“Don’t worry about what the outcome might be, just do your best, go with it, and things will work out.”

Learn More About Hospitality at Melbourne Polytechnic

Learn more about the Bachelor of Hospitality Management at Melbourne Polytechnic and how it prepares students for success in the industry here.

Pictured left to right: Judge, Founder and Chair of Peninsula Hot Springs, Mr Charles Davidson, Judge and Senior Manager Visitor Economy City of Melbourne, Ms Stephanie Hamilton, Judge and Senior Manager Marketing Department of Transport and Planning, Ms Sally McInnes with Melbourne Polytechnic students Pauline, Mel and Thalin.