29/09/2026
PEOPLE OF HELPING HAND
Meet Liya, a Hotel Services Assistant at Helping Hand's North Adelaide residential care home. Originally from India, Liya moved to Australia to study a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Business Analytics.
Outside of work and study, Liya enjoys travelling, listening to music and experiencing new cultures. Her love of meeting new people and building connections shines through in her interactions with residents, families, visitors and staff.
Liya joined Helping Hand one and a half years ago, after taking a chance and dropping off her resume.
"I had seen job advertisements online and heard from my friends how supportive the work culture is, so I decided to apply," Liya said.
Starting in the café, Liya has been supported to develop her barista skills before progressing to run shifts independently. Since then, she has gained experience in food service, cleaning and utilities, broadening her skills while continuing to do what she enjoys most, connecting with residents.
"Seeing the impact a simple smile can have on someone's day and having it reflected back on their face, there is no better feeling," she said.
What started off as a job to support her studies has grown into a role Liya genuinely enjoys, while also opening doors to opportunities aligned with her future career aspirations.
Through Helping Hand's Learning Pathways team, Liya was connected with the Business Systems team and completed a placement as a Business Analyst intern, allowing her to apply the knowledge gained through her MBA studies in a practical setting.
"I was nervous coming into the corporate office because it felt very different to working in the café," Liya said.
"There were so many new faces, but everyone was incredibly supportive and made me feel welcome straight away."
A key part of Liya’s placement involved developing a business improvement proposal focused on reducing food waste, which combined her interest in sustainability with her experience in hotel services.
"I was able to see how ideas become projects and the steps involved in bringing them to life," she said.
"It was an invaluable experience. I feel like I've now seen almost every part of what a Business Analyst does and have a much clearer understanding of the career path I want to take."
Liya says the experience challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and build her confidence, both professionally and personally.
"As an international student, it can be difficult to gain industry experience. I'm grateful for the trust and support I received and for the way Helping Hand invests in its people," she said.
Liya's journey reflects a key component of Helping Hand's Strategic Plan 2025-2030, to care for our trusted team and help them learn and grow: https://ow.ly/uLMb50ZQP2i
Liya's advice for others considering an internship;
“Have the confidence to step forward and ask for the opportunities you are looking for. You never know where they might lead."
