Kimberly Valenny, 17 January, 2025 | Joshua Ho, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Information Technology
Joshua is a QUT double-degree student and business owner. He founded Acenci, developer of Point Dash – a points management system for schools – to promote healthy competition and foster positive house culture. Joshua is also a Dean’s Scholar and recipient of the Westpac Young Technologist Scholarship.
You've accomplished a lot in a short time, balancing a double degree in technology, earning a notable scholarship, and starting a tech company. Could you share more about your career journey and what drew you to technology?
My interest in technology began when I first used a computer, an IBM Thinkpad T43 – an old machine that still works today! From there it was a natural progression, exploring the various facets of IT including software development – a passion which has led me to where I am in my career today and I’ve never looked back!
Acenci’s journey didn’t start with Point Dash, but rather, it’s the culmination of numerous projects I’ve worked on over the years. During high school I had several side-projects, including an eSafety platform, a coding development platform and food ordering software. Each project reinforced my passion for technology and provided me with valuable experience and learning.
Looking at Point Dash, it’s incredible to see the progress not only within that platform, but how small pieces of code from earlier projects contribute to what I’m working on today.
What does your semester look like, and how do you balance everything?
It’s busy but I really enjoy it. My subjects really complement what I’m trying to achieve externally. For example, last semester I took a unit on microcontrollers, programmed using C, which allowed me to work with the hardware components alongside more familiar software elements. I’ve also learned some of the more technical aspects of cybersecurity, critical for a software startup.
I think my double degree (Computer Science and Engineering – major in Computer Software Systems) provides me with a broader perspective than I would otherwise have, in the sense that when I write code for a given computer system, I understand what’s happening at each stage of that program from the core of the device to the final output.
Can you share how the Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship has impacted you and offer advice on applying for scholarships?
My main advice when this question comes up is to apply for scholarships, even if you think you may not qualify. They can make a significant difference in your university journey. For me, I’ve met so many like-minded friends and professionals in the tech sector, all of whom are happy to ‘geek out’ about the latest tech innovations.
The Westpac scholarship also afforded me the opportunity to travel to Singapore in 2024 for the Disruptive Leaders Program. This was a fantastic opportunity to understand and develop leadership skills and network with recipients from across Australia.
What's next for you? What are your career goals, and what do you hope to do after finishing university?
It’s all about small steps. I’m really excited about growing Acenci and Point Dash and learning from the challenges it presents. I’m also focused on my degree and leveraging the opportunities QUT offers for practical exposure and learning.
Above all, I’m looking forward to networking and meeting interesting people through various tech forums and events. Together, we can have a significant, positive impact on the tech industry in Australia.
Learn more about the Engineering and IT double degree
QUT Bachelor of Information Technology
Content source: Careers with STEM - Technology webinar, November 2024.
Author
QUT information technology and creative industries graduate, supporting other women in STEM