How Michael turned university opportunities into a graduate career

When Michael Pettigrew started studying a Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science) at QUT, they knew they wanted to work with technology. What they didn't know was exactly where that path would lead.

Through industry visits, student leadership opportunities, peer learning and professional development programs, they gradually built the confidence, skills and connections that helped prepare them for their future career.

Exploring a future in technology

Michael's interest in technology began long before university, but it was the rapid rise of artificial intelligence that sparked a deeper curiosity about how software works and the role it can play in solving real-world problems.

Despite knowing they wanted to work in technology, they didn't start university with a specific career path in mind.

"I definitely didn't start with a clear career mapped out. I knew I wanted to work with technology, but I wasn't sure what that would actually look like as a career."

"My goals became much clearer through the experiences I had at QUT. Getting involved with STIMulate, the Dean's Scholars Program, and industry visits exposed me to different kinds of work and helped me understand what I enjoyed."

Over time, they realised that software development, particularly building systems that people and organisations rely on every day, was where they wanted to focus their career.

Making the most of university opportunities

One of the most important things Michael did during their time at QUT was simply saying yes to opportunities that interested them.

That mindset led to their involvement in a wide range of activities, including the Faculty of Science Dean's Scholars Program, STIMulate, the Student Catchment Immersion Program (SCIP), Student Energy QUT and the Humanitarian Affairs Peace Ambassador program.

"I realised that university could be much more than completing assignments and getting a degree, so I tried to say yes to opportunities that interested me, even when they weren't directly related to computer science."

One opportunity often led to another.

Through SCIP, Michael met students and staff outside their immediate field of study. One of those connections eventually led to their involvement with the Student Energy Club QUT, where they later served as Vice President.

Looking back, Michael says those experiences helped them become more confident, meet people outside their field of study and discover interests they may never have explored otherwise.

Another significant experience was working as a Peer Learning Facilitator with STIMulate, where they supported students with programming, debugging and technical concepts.

While the role strengthened their technical knowledge, Michael believes the communication skills they developed were equally important.

"Knowing how to solve something yourself and knowing how to explain it clearly to somebody else are very different skills."

Helping students work through challenges made them a stronger communicator, something they continue to draw on in their career today.

Turning connections into opportunities

Michael's journey to TechnologyOne began well before they formally applied.

Throughout university, Michael made an effort to stay connected with people they met through industry events and visits.

"I never really approached networking as immediately asking someone for a job. I saw it as a way to stay connected with people I had met and learn more about the industry."

A few months before graduating, Michael reached out to one of those connections to ask about graduate opportunities. That conversation eventually led them into TechnologyOne's recruitment process and, ultimately, an offer for a Graduate Developer role before they had officially graduated.

Michael believes their experiences outside the classroom helped them stand out as a candidate.

"I could talk about programming and university projects, but I could also talk about mentoring students through STIMulate, leadership through student clubs and the different opportunities I had taken through the Dean's Scholars Program."

"I think those experiences helped demonstrate that I could communicate, work with people and learn, rather than simply showing that I could write code."

Advice for future students

For students who feel uncertain about their future career, Michael has a simple message.

You don't need to have everything figured out from day one.

Instead, focus on learning, meeting people and taking opportunities when they arise.

"Say yes to things, particularly the things that make you slightly uncomfortable."

Whether that's joining a club, attending an industry event, volunteering, applying for a leadership program or speaking to someone in a field that interests you, Michael believes those experiences can open doors in unexpected ways.

And if Michael could give one piece of advice to their younger self?

"I'd tell myself to focus less on having the perfect plan and more on learning, meeting people and taking opportunities as they appeared."