Melissa Margoulis

In my role as a mentor with the Monash Studio team, I provided practical guidance, industry perspective and opportunities for knowledge sharing. I supported postgraduate students in navigating complex project challenges by encouraging critical thinking, thoughtful questioning and a deeper understanding of the product lifecycle - from concept through to delivery.

I offered targeted guidance across key areas including persona definition, audience and scope refinement and future iteration… Show more

In my role as a mentor with the Monash Studio team, I provided practical guidance, industry perspective and opportunities for knowledge sharing. I supported postgraduate students in navigating complex project challenges by encouraging critical thinking, thoughtful questioning and a deeper understanding of the product lifecycle - from concept through to delivery.

I offered targeted guidance across key areas including persona definition, audience and scope refinement and future iteration thinking - encouraging teams to consider how their solutions could evolve over time. I also highlighted the importance of mobile responsiveness, accessibility and real-world usability in their design decisions.

Following each presentation, I provided structured feedback combining hands-on advice with strategic insight. This included recommendations across UX/UI elements such as typography and user flow, alongside considerations around API integrations and how these could enhance functionality. I also encouraged more effective and intentional use of AI to strengthen their concepts.

A key focus was improving how ideas were communicated. I worked with teams to move from, at times, disjointed narratives to more cohesive, seamless storytelling - ensuring their presentations were clear, logical and impactful.
Throughout, I emphasised a user-first mindset, iterative development and continuous improvement. I encouraged students to challenge assumptions, refine their thinking and stay aligned to the core problem - while remaining adaptable and open to new ideas.

It was incredibly rewarding to contribute to their development - not only in shaping their projects, but in building confidence, clarity and capability to solve complex challenges. Show less

As a mentor supporting the Monash Studio team, my focus was on delivering practical guidance, sharing real-world insights, and fostering meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange. I aimed to help postgraduate students navigate the complexities of their projects by offering not just direction, but perspective—encouraging them to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and think critically about every stage of the product lifecycle, from development through to delivery.

After… Show more

As a mentor supporting the Monash Studio team, my focus was on delivering practical guidance, sharing real-world insights, and fostering meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange. I aimed to help postgraduate students navigate the complexities of their projects by offering not just direction, but perspective—encouraging them to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and think critically about every stage of the product lifecycle, from development through to delivery.

After each team presented their work, I provided hands-on advice combined with strategic insight, drawing on industry experience to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. My guidance was tailored to key areas such as cybersecurity risks, user journeys, UX/UI design, data privacy, and risk mitigation—helping students understand not only the “how,” but the “why” behind each decision.

More than anything, I sought to instill a mindset of user-centric thinking, iterative development, and continuous improvement. I encouraged students to experiment, refine their approach, and stay focused on the problem statement while embracing curiosity and adaptability.

It was deeply rewarding to contribute to their growth—not just in building a product, but in developing confidence, clarity, and critical thinking to tackle complex challenges and deliver meaningful impact. I hope my insights added value to their journey and left a positive mark on their learning experience. Show less

As a mentor supporting the Monash Studio mentor team, my focus was on delivering practical guidance, sharing real-world insights and creating meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange. I was committed to helping postgraduate students navigate the complexities of their project by offering not just direction, but perspective—encouraging them to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and think critically at every stage of the journey.

Working closely with each team, I… Show more

As a mentor supporting the Monash Studio mentor team, my focus was on delivering practical guidance, sharing real-world insights and creating meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange. I was committed to helping postgraduate students navigate the complexities of their project by offering not just direction, but perspective—encouraging them to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and think critically at every stage of the journey.

Working closely with each team, I supported them through the full project lifecycle offering them hands-on advice with strategic insight drawing from industry experience to contextualise classroom learning in a professional, real-world setting.

I provided tailored guidance on key areas such as cybersecurity risks, data privacy and risk mitigation, helping students understand not just the “how,” but the “why” behind each decision. More than anything, I aimed to instill a mindset of user-centric thinking, iterative development and continuous learning.

It was deeply rewarding to contribute to their growth—not just in building a product, but in developing the confidence, clarity and curiosity to tackle complex problems and deliver meaningful impact. Show less

I was privileged to be selected as a judge for Monash's Postgraduate Industry Experience Virtual Expo for Semester 1, 2025. The expo showcased the culmination of postgraduate students' projects, where they collaborated in groups to tackle real-world challenges using technology to create innovative solutions that align with the theme of IT for Social Good.

As a judge, I evaluated a range of digital artefacts, including mobile apps, IoT innovations, and websites. I provided constructive… Show more

I was privileged to be selected as a judge for Monash's Postgraduate Industry Experience Virtual Expo for Semester 1, 2025. The expo showcased the culmination of postgraduate students' projects, where they collaborated in groups to tackle real-world challenges using technology to create innovative solutions that align with the theme of IT for Social Good.

As a judge, I evaluated a range of digital artefacts, including mobile apps, IoT innovations, and websites. I provided constructive feedback on the ideation, design, delivery, and presentation of the final projects, and engaged in discussions with the students about their learnings and reflections from the unit.

It was a valuable experience to share my industry expertise and offer guidance on the overall project and presentation. I felt honored to be chosen as a judge and to have the opportunity to contribute to the expo. Show less

As a mentor supporting the Monash Studio team, I was deeply committed to guiding postgraduate students through the complexities of their capstone projects. My role was rooted in mentorship—offering not just answers, but thoughtful questions, encouragement and a safe space for students to explore, iterate and grow. I worked closely with each team, helping them navigate the full project lifecycle, from early ideation and product design to user journey development, feature planning, and final… Show more

As a mentor supporting the Monash Studio team, I was deeply committed to guiding postgraduate students through the complexities of their capstone projects. My role was rooted in mentorship—offering not just answers, but thoughtful questions, encouragement and a safe space for students to explore, iterate and grow. I worked closely with each team, helping them navigate the full project lifecycle, from early ideation and product design to user journey development, feature planning, and final delivery.

Throughout the process, I provided tailored guidance on a range of critical topics, including cybersecurity risks, data privacy considerations and risk mitigation strategies. I encouraged students to think beyond the obvious, to challenge their assumptions and to approach problems with both creativity and discipline. My goal was to empower them with the confidence and clarity to make informed decisions, while fostering a mindset of continuous learning and user-focused innovation. It was a rewarding experience to help shape their journey from concept to impact. Show less

I was honoured to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a capstone initiative that brings together postgraduate students from across the Faculty of IT to address real-world challenges through technology. More than just a project, the IE unit is a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange—where students, mentors, and academic staff come together to co-create solutions that often reflect the theme of IT for Social… Show more

I was honoured to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a capstone initiative that brings together postgraduate students from across the Faculty of IT to address real-world challenges through technology. More than just a project, the IE unit is a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange—where students, mentors, and academic staff come together to co-create solutions that often reflect the theme of IT for Social Good.

Throughout the program, students work in teams to transform ideas into tangible digital artefacts—such as apps, IoT innovations, or websites—that solve meaningful societal problems. In my role, I collaborated closely with Monash Studio Mentors, Industry Mentors and student teams to foster an open, supportive environment where insights and experiences were continuously shared.

My mentorship focused on guiding students through critical stages of business analysis, product design, user research, development and delivery—always prioritising practical application and real-world relevance. Rather than simply providing answers, I aimed to share industry knowledge and frameworks that empowered students to think critically, challenge assumptions and refine their own approaches.

We engaged deeply with topics like product viability, technical feasibility, cybersecurity and data privacy—ensuring each solution was both innovative and responsible. This experience underscored the value of reciprocal learning, where every interaction became an opportunity to share perspectives, expand understanding and grow together. Show less

I was honoured to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a capstone program that brings together postgraduate students from across the Faculty of IT to tackle real-world challenges through technology. This program is more than just a project; it’s a collaborative journey where students, mentors, and academic staff co-create solutions that often align with the theme of IT for Social Good. From ideation to implementation, students… Show more

I was honoured to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a capstone program that brings together postgraduate students from across the Faculty of IT to tackle real-world challenges through technology. This program is more than just a project; it’s a collaborative journey where students, mentors, and academic staff co-create solutions that often align with the theme of IT for Social Good. From ideation to implementation, students work in teams to develop tangible digital artefacts—apps, IoT solutions, or websites—that address meaningful problems in society.

In this role, I worked closely with Monash Studio Mentors, Bunnings Industry Mentors and student teams, fostering a collaborative environment where ideas could be explored, challenged, and refined. My focus was on empowering students to think critically and strategically, while also encouraging open dialogue and shared problem-solving. I provided guidance across business analysis, product design, user research, development, and delivery—always with an emphasis on real-world application and industry relevance. Together, we explored product viability, technical feasibility, cybersecurity, and data privacy, ensuring that each solution was not only innovative but also responsible and user-focused. It was a rewarding experience to contribute to a space where learning was mutual, and collaboration was at the heart of every breakthrough. Show less

Supporting the Monash Studio Mentor, I played an active role in sharing real-world knowledge and industry insights with postgraduate students as they worked through their capstone projects. My focus was on creating a collaborative learning environment where students could bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. Through open dialogue and ongoing feedback, I helped students explore the full project lifecycle—from ideation and product design to user journey development… Show more

Supporting the Monash Studio Mentor, I played an active role in sharing real-world knowledge and industry insights with postgraduate students as they worked through their capstone projects. My focus was on creating a collaborative learning environment where students could bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. Through open dialogue and ongoing feedback, I helped students explore the full project lifecycle—from ideation and product design to user journey development, feature planning and delivery.

My guidance extended to key areas such as identifying cybersecurity risks, addressing data privacy concerns and evaluating the viability and scalability of their solutions. I encouraged students to think critically, ask questions and consider perspectives they may not have encountered before. By sharing practical strategies, industry standards and lessons learned from real-world experience, I aimed to empower students with the tools and confidence to make informed decisions and deliver impactful, user-focused outcomes. Show less

It was a privilege to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a dynamic capstone initiative that transforms theory into practice for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This program challenges students to take their academic knowledge beyond the classroom, guiding them through the full arc of a real-world project—from the spark of an idea to a fully realised digital solution. Whether it’s an app, an IoT innovation, or a… Show more

It was a privilege to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a dynamic capstone initiative that transforms theory into practice for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This program challenges students to take their academic knowledge beyond the classroom, guiding them through the full arc of a real-world project—from the spark of an idea to a fully realised digital solution. Whether it’s an app, an IoT innovation, or a socially impactful website, each project is designed to solve meaningful problems, often with a focus on IT for Social Good.

In this role, I had the opportunity to walk alongside students as they navigated the complexities of product development. Partnering with Monash Studio Mentors and Bunnings Industry Mentors I offered strategic direction and practical insights across every stage—business analysis, user research, product design, development, and delivery. I encouraged students to think boldly yet critically, helping them uncover hidden risks, challenge assumptions, and explore untapped opportunities. From evaluating the viability of their ideas to advising on cybersecurity, data privacy, and user-centric design, my goal was to help them build solutions that were not only innovative but also grounded in real-world relevance and aligned with industry best practices. Show less

I was honoured to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—an intensive capstone program designed for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This unit provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic learning in a real-world context, guiding them through the complete project lifecycle from ideation to implementation. The outcome is the development of a tangible IT artefact—such as an app, IoT solution, or… Show more

I was honoured to be invited back as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—an intensive capstone program designed for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This unit provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic learning in a real-world context, guiding them through the complete project lifecycle from ideation to implementation. The outcome is the development of a tangible IT artefact—such as an app, IoT solution, or website—that addresses a real-world challenge, often with a focus on IT for Social Good.

In this role, I collaborated closely with Monash Studio Mentors and Fellow Industry Mentors to provide students with strategic guidance and industry-aligned insights across all phases of their projects. My mentorship covered a broad spectrum of areas including business analysis, product design, user research, technical development, and delivery planning. I supported students in identifying potential risks, uncovering overlooked considerations, and exploring opportunities for future enhancements. I encouraged them to think critically and strategically, challenged their assumptions, and helped ensure their solutions were both innovative and grounded in practical application. Additionally, I provided targeted feedback on product viability, cybersecurity risks, data privacy protocols, and user-centric design principles—ensuring their work met current industry standards and reflected best practices in the field. Show less

Supporting the Monash Studio mentor, I provided real-world insights, strategic counsel and practical guidance to postgraduate students on their capstone projects. Support spanned the full project lifecycle including ideation, product design, user journey development, feature enhancements, cybersecurity risks, data privacy considerations and identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies that may not have been initially considered.

In collaboration with the Monash Studio Mentor and Industry Mentor, I supported postgraduate students on their capstone projects by fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. My role was to provide real-world insights and strategic guidance that encouraged students to think creatively, challenge conventional approaches and explore new possibilities. From ideation to implementation, I helped them navigate the full project lifecycle—guiding them through product design, user… Show more

In collaboration with the Monash Studio Mentor and Industry Mentor, I supported postgraduate students on their capstone projects by fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. My role was to provide real-world insights and strategic guidance that encouraged students to think creatively, challenge conventional approaches and explore new possibilities. From ideation to implementation, I helped them navigate the full project lifecycle—guiding them through product design, user journey development, feature enhancement and delivery.

Throughout the process, I emphasized the importance of learning through experimentation and iteration. I encouraged students to explore emerging technologies, assess cybersecurity and data privacy implications and consider risks and mitigation strategies they may not have initially identified. By blending practical industry knowledge with a forward-thinking mindset, I aimed to empower students to develop solutions that were not only technically sound but also imaginative, impactful and aligned with the evolving demands of the digital world. Show less

I was invited to return as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit, a capstone program for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This unit guides students through the full project lifecycle—from ideation to implementation—culminating in the creation of an IT artefact such as an app, IoT solution or website that addresses a real-world challenge, often aligned with the theme of IT for Social Good.

In collaboration with the Monash Studio… Show more

I was invited to return as an Industry Mentor for Monash University’s IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit, a capstone program for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This unit guides students through the full project lifecycle—from ideation to implementation—culminating in the creation of an IT artefact such as an app, IoT solution or website that addresses a real-world challenge, often aligned with the theme of IT for Social Good.

In collaboration with the Monash Studio Mentors and Industry Mentors, I provided strategic guidance and practical advice across all stages of the project. My support covered areas such as business analysis, product design, research, development and delivery. I helped students identify potential risks, overlooked considerations, and opportunities for future enhancements. I encouraged critical and strategic thinking, challenged assumptions and ensured their solutions were grounded in real-world relevance. I also offered targeted feedback on product viability, cybersecurity, data privacy and user-centric design — ensuring their projects aligned with current industry standards and best practices. Show less

I was invited to join Bunnings Digital Team’s Industry Mentor Panel, supporting the Monash University IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a capstone program for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This unit, undertaken in the final semester of the students’ Master’s degrees, offers a hands-on, experiential project where students apply their academic knowledge in a real-world, industry-focused setting.

The IE Project unit is available to students enrolled in the Master of… Show more

I was invited to join Bunnings Digital Team’s Industry Mentor Panel, supporting the Monash University IT Industry Experience (IE) Project unit—a capstone program for postgraduate students in the Faculty of IT. This unit, undertaken in the final semester of the students’ Master’s degrees, offers a hands-on, experiential project where students apply their academic knowledge in a real-world, industry-focused setting.

The IE Project unit is available to students enrolled in the Master of Information Systems, Master of Information Technology, Master of Cybersecurity, Master of Data Science, and Master of Artificial Intelligence. Its primary objective is to guide students through the complete project lifecycle—from ideation to implementation—culminating in the development of an IT artefact such as an app, IoT solution, or website that addresses a real-world problem, often aligned with the theme of IT for Social Good.

As a member of the industry mentor team supporting the Monash Studio Mentors, I played a key role in guiding postgraduate students through their capstone projects. My involvement focused on helping students identify both opportunities and potential risks they may not have initially considered, encouraging them to think critically and strategically about their project direction. I worked closely with teams to challenge their assumptions, refine their ideas, and ensure their work was grounded in practical, real-world considerations.

I provided targeted feedback across various aspects of the project lifecycle, including design methodologies, user journey mapping, persona development, and product viability. I also advised on the technical feasibility of proposed solutions, evaluating tech stacks, cybersecurity measures, and data privacy protocols. My goal was to help students align their work with current industry standards while fostering innovation and a user-centric mindset. Show less