Meet Cooper Shaw

Cooper is an enthusiastic, adaptable, and engaged advisor, as well as an avid snowboarder! He loves solving complex problems and brings an eye for detail, as well as a calm and professional demeanour to each project team he supports.

Q Tell us how you came to join Proximity.

A After finishing my double degree in law and international business in 2024, I was looking to find a role with a diverse scope of work where I could contribute to meaningful projects. I joined Proximity‘s Consulting team in February, I’m loving the work, and I’ve already had the opportunity to contribute to a range exciting projects.

Q What is your proudest moment in a professional context?

A Last year at university I was awarded first class honours in law—something I worked really hard to achieve. My thesis examined how Truth in Political Advertising laws interact with AI and social media, and the constitutional implications of enacting stricter laws to prevent misinformation in politics.

Q What advice do you give to someone starting out in a career?

A I’ve learned that it’s important not to stress too much about the first step in your career. Everyone I’ve talked to has said to do something you enjoy, but don’t try to plan out your whole life. I’ve also been advised to focus on developing yourself into a well-rounded person, not just focusing on work or studies but thinking about life holistically. I think this is important.

Q What keeps you awake at night?

A I often find myself reflecting on how I can best implement feedback I might receive throughout the day. I think implementing feedback is just as important as getting it in the first place. That and figuring out how I can perfect my latte art both keep me awake!

Q With an eye to the future, what does success look like for you?

A To me, ‘success’ relies on having success in a range of different areas in life. In a professional context, I want to be able to look back and be proud of the work I’ve done and be an expert in my field. In a personal context, I think success is being surrounded by friends and family and having an exciting life. One where you try new things, have new experiences and don’t have any regrets.

Q Away from work, what is your passion?

A I love snowboarding—my mates and I will often head up to Perisher on the weekends. I also love running when I’m not nursing my latest injury (and skipping my physio exercises) and travelling. Just before joining Proximity in February, I backpacked through India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and I’ve previously backpacked through Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. My next trip is to New Zealand so I’m excited to explore there soon!