Sarah Byrne: From Greystanes to the Big Apple

For Sarah Byrne, growing up in Greystanes, felt a world away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Today, she’s leading the Communications and Marketing department at a national affordable housing developer in Manhattan, a role that combines creativity, strategy, and purpose.

But her path wasn’t straightforward. After finishing at Northmead Performing Arts High School, Sarah didn’t head straight to university.

“I took a gap year and lived in London.  Then I came back to Sydney for my first year of university, however, I ended up taking my second year off too and headed back to London for another year,” she says.

When Sarah eventually enrolled in a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) at Western, she found a degree that offered flexibility and breadth.

“I liked the structure, the first year was like a sample platter of different areas of communications and marketing, then in your second and third years, you focused on your specialty,” she said.

Her time at Western Sydney University gave her more than just academic knowledge, it opened doors, and after experiencing live abroad, it planted the seeds for a future career overseas.

“The degree was a great foundation for understanding the industry, it also connected me to unique internship opportunities that gave me real-world experience and sparked my passion for comms and marketing,” Sarah said.

One lecturer stands out in her memory, Associate Professor Asha Chand, from the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, really influenced how she thought about her career.

“Any class with Asha was a highlight, she taught me to write judiciously, was honest about the life of a reporter, and shared her professional experiences,” she said.

Moving to New York was driven by a mix of ambition and adventure. But the cultural shift both in and out of the workplace was a shock.

“Work opportunities and the thrill of living somewhere completely different was exciting, though in the workplace, there isn’t a lot of room for a chinwag before getting down to business.”

“Socially, Americans aren’t as irreverent or self-deprecating as Aussies, so sometimes our humour doesn’t translate.”

Living abroad has shaped Sarah’s perspective in unexpected ways.

“I’m grateful for the broad understanding of communications I gained during my studies, I have also found that working in NYC has also made me a lot more forthright and confident.”

Her advice for students dreaming of an international career?

“Be bold and network with your industry colleagues. In New York, you really need to be clear about what you want, otherwise you won’t be taken seriously.”

From Sydney to London to New York, Sarah’s journey shows that curiosity and courage can take you anywhere.

ENDS

9 January 2026

Kathryn Bannon, Media Officer