ICMS Alumna’s Path to Salesforce Success

Samantha Hardiman always knew she had a knack for connecting with people. What she discovered after enrolling in the ICMS Master of International Business was how to turn that natural skill into a thriving career.  

Today, Samantha works at Salesforce as a Business Development Representative, where she qualifies new leads and sets up high-value meetings for senior sales executives at one of the world’s leading cloud-based software companies. 

Looking back, Samantha credits ICMS for equipping her with the confidence, skills, and industry insights that prepared her for success. 

“While studying, I took on a range of subjects like finance, marketing, and communications, which all tapped into different interests of mine,” Samantha shares.  

“This variety in my education laid the foundation for a diverse career path.” 

Her first career step came before graduation, during her Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement in a marketing role with ICMS.  

That experience helped her build industry knowledge, refine her practical skills, and ease the transition into working life.  

After completing her master’s degree, Samantha moved into recruitment before landing her current role at Salesforce in Sydney. 

The common thread running through all these roles? Connections.  

“Whether I was working in marketing, recruitment, or now at Salesforce, my ability to connect with others was always at the core of my success,” Samantha says.  

“ICMS really helped me bring this natural ability together with industry-specific skills and knowledge.” 

Watch Sam share her story here, before reading further to find out why she chose ICMS as the starting point for her career.

Real-World Learning with Real Impact 

For Samantha, the focus ICMS places on hands-on learning made all the difference.  

“The Work Integrated Learning program was one of the key reasons I chose ICMS,” she explains.  

“It allowed me to gain work experience while studying, so I didn’t graduate without a clue about what to do next. I didn’t have to face the fear of having no practical experience.” 

She also highlighted the “personalised and supportive environment” at ICMS as a standout feature of her learning experience.  

From the small class sizes to the lecturers who knew her by name and ambition, Samantha felt more than just a number. 

“My lecturers not only provided industry knowledge but also mentorship,” Samantha says.  

“They were a big part of me staying in Australia and finding opportunities here. Their support, combined with the collaborative environment in the classroom, was invaluable.” 

This connection between education and real-world application gave Samantha the confidence to take on new challenges.  

Whether it was managing communications across departments, switching between projects, or working with external stakeholders, her ICMS experience prepared her for the practical demands of her career. 

Advice for Future Graduates 

Samantha’s advice for current students looking to start their careers?  

Build your network, and don’t shy away from reaching out to people who can offer guidance.  

“Your network is everything,” she emphasises.  

“Use your alumni network, talk to your lecturers, attend events, and connect with professionals in your field.  

More often than not, people are happy to meet up for a coffee or answer your questions.” 

For Samantha, moving to Australia from South Africa was a big leap, but it turned out to be the best decision of her life. ICMS played a major role in making this transition smoother.  

“ICMS genuinely cares for its students, especially international students,” she says.  

“The support I received, whether through constant updates or connections for my placement, gave me peace of mind during a time of huge change.” 

Setting the Stage for Success 

From her first marketing placement to working in recruitment and now carving out a niche in the technology sector at Salesforce, Samantha’s career shows the power of combining passion with the right education. 

“ICMS gave me the all-round knowledge and practical experience needed to thrive in a range of industries,” Samantha reflects.  

“Each step in my career has built on those versatile, core skills I learned during my time there. It’s really opened doors for me.” 

Samantha’s success at Salesforce proves just how far the ICMS experience can take you.