Today's students are looking for more than a qualification. You want a university that can prepare you for life after graduation.
At The University of Queensland, we go further to equip you with the skills, connections and experience you need to build a successful, exciting future anywhere in the world. You have opportunities to:
gain practical experience through internships and industry projects
build professional networks through clubs, societies and industry events
access career planning and employability support
develop highly valued skills such as communication, teamwork and critical thinking
learn from academics connected to industry and research excellence.
But don’t just take our word for it. We spoke to three former international students who talked about how they took advantage of these opportunities to create an exciting global career for themselves.
Nozomi Yamazaki, Account Manager at Publicis Groupe Japan
Originally from Kobe in Japan, Nozomi moved to Brisbane in 2017 to study a dual Bachelor of Communication and Business Marketing, majoring in public relations and marketing.
“With the UQ Business School consistently being ranked among the best in the world and Australia, I knew it was the kind of education I was looking for,” she says.
Nozomi’s time at UQ was full of meaningful learning experiences. Tutorials taught her how to collaborate with others, while her role as an International Student Ambassador for Study Brisbane gave her access to leadership forums, industry networking opportunities and events that hosted international delegations.
But it was one opportunity in particular that really launched her career.
“Being part of Newish, Australia’s first student-run communications agency, helped me land my previous role, and that position helped me get this job,” she says.
“The best thing UQ did for my career was helping me build confidence to be out in the world.”
Newish was founded in 2019 at UQ. There, UQ students get the chance to gain real hands-on agency experience, with mentorship and support from industry professionals.
Today, Nozomi works as an Account Manager for Publicis Groupe Japan, and loves working with various brands.
“I currently work with aviation, food and beverage, beauty, fashion and insurance brands," she says.
"As someone working in an agency, I constantly have three to four clients I manage at once, and my days never get boring!”
Career advice from Nozomi:
Rehearse more than twice for presentations.
Be confident to say your thoughts and recommendations out loud.
Use your time at UQ to meet and build friendships with people from all walks of life.
Minh Le, Category Specialist at Super Retail Group
In 2018, Minh came to UQ from Hanoi, Vietnam, to study a Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Science and Nutrition. He chose to study at UQ because of the opportunities that the University has to offer.
“UQ is a global top 50 university and its food science program is ranked highly in the world," he says.
"Beyond the classroom, UQ has over 200 clubs and societies, career and internship support services, the Ventures program that empowers start-ups and on-campus jobs.”
Minh shares that these things helped him hone his skills and prepare for life after university.
“UQ opened doors to diverse opportunities and meaningful relationships," he says.
"Through the people I met, I gained exposure to different cultures, perspectives and ways of thinking. These experiences shaped me into a well-rounded individual who is proactive in seizing opportunities and open to new ideas."
After graduation, Minh landed an exciting role at global food company, Kerry Group. Now, he has moved on to become a Category Specialist for Super Retail Group. He says that his time at UQ taught him to stay open to new possibilities, even when they don't fit neatly into a career plan. For Minh, some of the biggest opportunities came from his willingness to explore unexpected paths.
“If you’re open-minded enough to be ready for any scenario, you may win in unexpected ways.”
Career advice from Minh:
Be open to opportunities and unexpected career pathways.
Build relationships across cultures.
Take advantage of UQ’s career and internship support early on.
Join UQ clubs and societies to build new networks.
Doug Tham, Senior Digital Marketing Consultant at Reload Media
Originally from Singapore, Doug came to UQ to complete a Bachelor of Communication in Digital Media. He chose UQ because, as a member of Australia's Group of Eight (Go8), the University is recognised globally for its academic excellence and research impact, giving students access to a world-class education and a qualification respected by employers around the world.
Like Nozomi, he was able to build valuable hands-on experience during his studies thanks to Newish.
“Joining Newish gave me industry experience and practice, which helped me secure employment after graduation,” says Doug.
Alongside the technical skills he gained through his studies, Doug found that his time at UQ also equipped him with a strong professional network, as well as valuable employment capabilities that he still relies on today.
“The critical thinking skills that I developed in uni have helped me in my current role,” he says.
Today, Doug is a Senior Digital Marketing Consultant at Reload Media, where he works with major brands in the e-commerce space.
Career advice from Doug:
Never underestimate the critical thinking skills you develop at university.
Use UQ’s strong industry networks to gain experience before graduating.
Every international student arrives at UQ with their own goals and definition of success. While Nozomi, Minh and Doug chose different career paths, they all made the most of the opportunities available to them during their studies. Their stories demonstrate how a UQ education can help you build valuable skills and connections, so you graduate ready to make an impact wherever your future finds you.
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