From the campus to the real world

With so many responsibilities like staying up to date with the weekly content and assignments coming up, we students have a busy life, for sure. We also often hear about the importance of work experience and employability before graduation. While maintaining a high GPA is important, employers also want to see that you were proactive during university, have relevant work experience, and acquired real-world skills to transition into the workforce. You might wonder how that is possible being a full-time university student. Let me tell you it is, and I'm happy to show you how.

Working whilst studying

Throughout my stay in Australia, I have experienced different kinds of jobs. My current position is working as an International Student Ambassador for the QUT International Marketing and Communications Team. Coming into work, I am always eager to share my experiences and professional advice with prospective international students. My main tasks include providing enquiry services through The Ambassador Platform (TAP) and writing digital marketing content. It has been a great learning experience, allowing me to gain new skills and connections outside of my studies.

Balancing work and studies

Balancing part-time work and university can be difficult but not impossible. A strategy that works for me is using productivity tools, such as Notion and Google Calendar. At the start of the semester, I always put the deadlines for each assignment and note the dates I approximately want to start them on Google Calendar. Once I receive my timetable, I add my tutorial and lecture times on it as well. When it comes to my work, I take note of my rostered shifts on my calendar and ensure that they do not conflict with any of my allocated tutorials and lectures. I use Notion to keep track of my notes from each unit, so it will be organised and easier to find when I have exams at the end of the semester. I aim to manage my time wisely and keep track of what I must accomplish. However, I am also realistic and avoid overcommitting myself. It is always important to schedule time to take a break to do something different. To destress I go to the gym and spending quality time with friends and family. By doing so, it allows me to have a productive week and avoid being burnout or overwhelmed.

Career support

As an international student, you might feel like it is a struggle to secure a job. Don't worry, QUT has dedicated careers and employability support, that can help you plan and manage your career. Even when you graduate, QUT provides you with career support for six months. You have access to resume reviews and workshops, modules to develop your career, and one of my favourites, "The Big Interview." The Big Interview is an online platform where you can practice your job-seeking skills through a mock interview. This platform has been beneficial to me as most job interviews I experienced were through online platforms. QUT also hosts career fairs and networking events. One of which I remembered attending was "The Big Meet," where I met up with friends and networked with representatives from companies I wished to intern with in the future.

Real-world learnings

A significant benefit from the courses here at QUT is that they help you transition skills into real life. Although I learn IT theories in class, they also teach me fundamental skills, and problem-solving. As a student ambassador, the skills I gained from studying IT at QUT prove to be helpful. In my current role, I encounter complicated enquiries, and the problem-solving skills I developed help address these questions. Studying IT at QUT has also opened doors for me in the cybersecurity space, an industry I am actively trying to be a part of. Although I am yet to secure an internship, I was recently invited to participate in an assessment with a reputable company in their cybersecurity team. The skills and teachings that I learnt at QUT have prepared me to solve real-world challenges and have given me the confidence to complete assessments in the industry.

I highly recommend you gain practical work experience while studying at QUT. It is never too early or late to start looking for your next internship or part-time job. Initially, it might seem daunting to try and balance your work commitments and study, but it is possible to succeed with the right strategies. Studying at QUT will give you the support you need to do so, and you will walk away with both the skills and the knowledge ready to conquer the real world.

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