Monique Layoun did not set her sights on winning the Laing+Simmons Scholarship when she applied for the program – which has now run for more than two decades – during her final year at Nagle College in Blacktown.
She simply wanted to put her natural interest in real estate to the test by undertaking the week’s work experience and seeing what makes a busy real estate office tick.
The Laing+Simmons Mount Druitt team took Monique under its wing and now, just a few months later, she’s been declared the winner of this year’s scholarship and is part of the team.
“When our Careers Advisor brought the Laing+Simmons Scholarship Program to my attention I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what real estate would be like as a career,” Monique says.
“I didn’t consider it a competition, I was really just investigating my options for the future.”
She clearly made a strong impression and the experience with Laing+Simmons Mount Druitt reinforced her study plan for 2019.
Monique is about to embark on a Business Degree at the University of Western Sydney, majoring in Property.
But as the winner of the program she’s guaranteed a job with Laing+Simmons, and this month she’ll start part-time on the front desk at Laing+Simmons Mount Druitt to build her experience while juggling her tertiary studies.
“This is a great opportunity and the support I’ve received from the team has really reinforced my interest in real estate. I’m looking forward to a long career in this industry and I’ll always be grateful to the Laing+Simmons team for giving me this start,” Monique says.
“I would highly recommend the scholarship program to anyone with an interest in property.”
For over two decades, the Laing+Simmons Scholarship Program has identified and supported young people interested in real estate, improving levels of professionalism and kickstarting careers in the industry.
Participants complete a work experience period with one of the Laing+Simmons offices, where they are mentored by an experienced real estate operator and learn all about what a real estate career entails.
“Sydney’s property industry in particular is scattered with past participants and winners of the Laing+Simmons Scholarship Program. For over 20 years the program has consistently unearthed young, talented people who go on to have fantastic careers,” says Laing+Simmons Managing Director Leanne Pilkington.
“Monique is a very worthy winner of this year’s program and a successful career awaits her.”
