By Sue Jeong - South Korea, 22 May, 2025
Having no background in IT, I chose to pursue a Master of Information Technology at QUT to build a solid foundation for my IT career. This programme is accessible to those from non-IT majors and offers units and skills directly applicable to real-world IT fields. I was confident that by graduating from QUT, I would be well-prepared to enter the job market as a software developer.
Gaining confidence in my English
I took the General English program at QUT College before starting my IT course, and I highly recommend this to all international students. These classes helped me adapt to the QUT campus in advance and meet wonderful friends. During the course, I created many cherished memories, which gave me the enthusiasm and confidence to begin my IT studies.
Collaboration and competition solving industry problems
There are many things to appreciate about QUT. Firstly, I enjoyed gaining practical knowledge and skills that are directly applicable in real-world scenarios. Specifically, in the IT Industry Project unit, I undertook a project commissioned by an actual industry partner, which greatly enhanced my capabilities.
This project involved developing an AI-powered email management web application for our client, Vincents. As a full-stack developer in a team of five, I was responsible for developing the web application. I also managed the Azure cloud resources and handled Outlook data management. This experience underscored the importance of resilience in continuous learning and adapting to change. It also boosted my confidence in working within the industry.
The real world of the Master of Information Technology involves surviving in the IT field through collaboration and competition with IT experts. One of my most memorable tutors always emphasised the importance of maintaining a professional attitude. His words greatly inspired me, and I realised that viewing myself as a professional made a significant difference. Through this unit with them, I notably improved my project management, backend, frontend, AI/ML, and team communication skills.
Full support from passionate teachers
What surprised me most about this course was the full support provided by QUT. It's clear that any student who shows the will and determination to learn can become a top professional upon graduating from QUT. The teaching team in every unit I took demonstrated a strong passion for educating students. By following the curriculum provided by QUT, you can become highly competitive in the job market. If you study for a Master of Information Technology at QUT, all the staff will be eager to support you.
I used services such as student counselling, study coaching, the medical centre, and study workshops, and I was extremely satisfied with all of them. The counselling service, in particular, was immensely helpful to me. After a year of studying as an international student, I found myself struggling both mentally and physically. It was then that I discovered the counselling service through a school newsletter email, and I decided to attend. Thanks to the counsellor, I became aware of the various services available at the school and was able to make use of them. The consultations are free and can be conducted over the phone, via Zoom, or in person.
I received the QUT International Merit Scholarship for all semesters, which covers 25% of the total tuition. This scholarship is truly essential for international students. It has significantly reduced my financial burden and allowed me to focus more passionately on my studies.
Coding, community and a city I love
I also want to highlight my passionate classmates. During my time at QUT, I received a lot of inspiration and support from them. I believe that their encouragement and collaboration enabled me to achieve more than I could have on my own.
I joined and participated in the Women in Technology and Bubble Tea Society. It was wonderful to make friends with similar interests. At Women in Technology, we had sessions where we gathered to code together, which was a refreshing and novel experience. In the Bubble Tea Society, we did a paint and sip event at Kelvin Grove Campus, and it was really enjoyable.
I visited Brisbane in November 2019, three years before I enrolled, and I kept thinking about living there. I found it to be the perfect city, with amazing weather, friendly people, and a relaxed lifestyle. In Brisbane, you can visit the beach whenever you want, and there is even an artificial beach within the city. The public transportation system is excellent, ensuring no inconvenience at all and it is a very safe city. There was no reason not to choose Brisbane.
My IT career since graduating
Since graduating from QUT, I have been leveraging my IT skills and previous work experience at the National Pension Service (NPS), South Korea’s public institution responsible for managing the national pension system. Through collaborations with the International Cooperation and IT departments, I have been able to apply the knowledge I gained at QUT in real-world scenarios.
My role involves bridging the gap between IT services and operational teams, using my practical experience to facilitate smoother communication and implementation. I have also contributed as a practitioner in the development of project management tools like Jira and Notion. Additionally, I have been involved in discussions for the development of NPS’s multilingual web pages, which are set to be updated soon.
Currently, I am actively collaborating with the IT department to transition into a more IT-focused role while continuously developing additional skills. At the same time, I am building a strong professional network to enhance future career opportunities.
I highly recommend QUT, particularly to future students who aim to start their careers immediately after graduation. QUT provides everything you need to achieve this. At QUT, you will find state-of-the-art facilities, a dedicated teaching team, and fellow students who share a passion for learning.
