Host, Rob Cugno, recorded this podcast in-person early in 2020, before COVID-19 and #BlackLivesMatter made headlines.
My guest is Levi McKenzie-Kirkbright, a young Koori man who, for his entire life, has walked in two worlds. Levi shares his raw, personal and deeply moving story about his life, family, study and now career as a software engineer for the Indigenous Data Network at the University of Melbourne.
In this podcast, we discuss:
The personal and professional challenges young indigenous people face walking in two worlds Levi's decision to quit medicine and follow his passion to study technology, against family and cultural expectations The narrative of failure and why it's not a black and white issueLevi's #1 career tip: Ask yourself 'what gift do I have to give the world?'.
During our conversation, Levi makes a couple of important references, which I want to share with you:
Uluru Statement from the Heart - in 2017, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders came together to write a collective statement to the Parliament of Australia about Indigenous Australian's position on sovereignty and treaty. Talking to My Country by Stan Grant (2017) - a book that has inspired Levi on his life and career journey.
