Oliver Vu - Vietnam, 27 November, 2023
Studying at QUT
I’ll be finishing my second-to-last term at QUT soon, and I have truly enjoyed everything here these last two years. It’s hard to pinpoint the best things but if I had to choose, the Fundamentals of Data Science unit would be way up there. It was really challenging at start, but I gave it my all and studied very hard and I was so grateful to achieve a high distinction. After the semester wrapped up, I ran into my unit coordinator. He asked if I'd be interested in tutoring for the unit. I said yes on the spot, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made. I've found that I absolutely love teaching.
Another thing I like about QUT is that you get to work on real world scenarios and use your skills to problem solve. This practical approach has provided me with invaluable experience, equipping me with the skills and confidence to face the dynamic nature of the industry. The preparation I've received at QUT is, without a doubt, a significant stepping stone for my future career aspirations.
Getting real world experience whilst studying
Last summer I applied for the VRES (Vacation Research Experience Scheme) and I got accepted into a three-month program with the Cancer Council Queensland. I was working on the Australian Cancer Atlas project where I looked at the statistics of different cancer types in Australia. My work involved summarising and visualising the Relative Risk Estimates by Primary Health networks (PHNs) in Australia. It feels good to work on something that can make such a difference and help doctors, policy makers and everyone involved in the healthcare system to make more informed decisions.
I learnt so much during my time there. With guidance from supportive supervisors and colleagues, I gained valuable knowledge and skills, which have been a real boost to my professional development.
In my last year of study, I have to do a capstone unit which integrates my learnings into a real-life project. I'm part of a four-person team working in collaboration with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) on their 'YouFor2032' Program – the initiative to select potential athletes for 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Our research is focused on examining the Relative Age Effect and its influence on athlete selection within the program. Our goal is to ensure that the selection process is equitable, making certain that talented individuals aren't overlooked simply because of their birthdate later in the year. It’s a really challenging but exciting project and we're fortunate to have substantial support from both QUT and QAS.
Global experience
I've always dreamt of studying in South Korea, so it was a dream come true when I got accepted into the international summer program at Seoul National University. This wasn't an opportunity that came through QUT, however QUT supported me with some mobility funds as it was related to my degree. Over six weeks in South Korea, I got to work on a research project in Bayesian statistics, which let me put my mathematical modelling skills to good use. I also took a course in Financial Innovation, which was pretty intriguing.
I have lived and studied in many countries before, but South Korea was a whole new game, especially since I didn't know any Korean. The language gap certainly made for some interesting encounters, but it was all part of the fun. Luckily, people were very friendly and helpful. The whole adventure was a real mix of personal and academic learning and it taught me cultural understanding, how to overcome language barriers and to go with the flow.
Getting a summer internship
I believe that my experience at the Cancer Council Queensland and the Capstone Project with QAS really helped me build up my resume and sharpen my skills, which I believe played a big part in landing a job at the one of the largest global accounting firms - PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) during this coming summer break. Those internships honed my data analysis, teamwork, and communication abilities, not to mention my experience working with a variety of people. This all came in handy during my PwC interview, especially the group assessment part.
I'll be joining the Data Assurance team at PwC as a data consultant vacationer. I'm really looking forward to the chance to learn from such a well-respected global firm and gain even more industry insights.
My future career
At the moment I’m a bit torn between choosing to pursue academia and advancing my studies to a PhD or getting a job and working in the industry. I really enjoy research which I never thought that I would. Plus, there's the teaching aspect of a PhD, which I've found incredibly fulfilling. If I decide to do a PhD, I would like to focus on machine learning (computer vision). I guess my upcoming summer internship at PwC should give me a clearer idea of where my future might be headed. It'll be a taste of the industry life, which could sway my decision. I also love travelling and living in different countries so I might do that for a while too, I guess only time will tell.
My advice
If you are thinking about studying at QUT, it’s a great choice as it provides you with real world experience which prepares you for your future career. I would say seek all the opportunities that QUT offers and make the most of it. My own journey's been incredible, filled with invaluable lessons and experiences. Go for it, and I bet you'll look back with no regrets – I sure don't!
