Your education is an investment – 5 ways to make the most of it at UQ

Studying overseas is one of the biggest investments a family can make in a child's future. Here at The University of Queensland, we understand this.

While a university degree can lead to exciting and fun experiences, the real value of a UQ education is in the academic and professional development it unlocks to help students build the skills and connections for life after graduation.

We go above and beyond to give you the support and guidance you need to build your future success. But how will you make the most out of these opportunities?

We spoke with UQ international graduates Stephanie Chu and Samnang David Sea to find out how you can maximise your time at university.

1. Choose your program and courses wisely

Stephanie flew to Brisbane from Hong Kong to study at UQ. She says she chose UQ because of its great global reputation and what that meant for her future career. 

UQ’s strong global reputation means that you have access to world-class education. To make the most of these opportunities, choose a program and courses that align with your strengths and future career aspirations.

There are more than 300 programs to choose from at UQ. Many programs offer flexibility in course selection. Alongside compulsory courses, students may be able to choose elective courses that allow them to explore different disciplines, complement their major, develop new skills or work towards a minor, depending on their program requirements.

Choosing the right program and course combination can help students stay engaged in their studies while building a broader skill set that supports their future career opportunities. To help you plan your study strategy, faculties offer program planning guides and academic adviser consultations.

David, who came to Brisbane from Cambodia, says that students should consider each course as an opportunity to unlock something new.

“Treat every semester as a unit of investment, not just a block of subjects to get through.”

2. Get involved in extracurricular activities

Both Stephanie and David say that extracurricular activities were a core part of their UQ experience. Getting involved in clubs translates to actual experience, creates important networks and industry connections, and helps develop your skills and sense of responsibility early on.

With more than 200 clubs and societies at UQ, there’s plenty of opportunities to explore.

For Stephanie, a highlight was getting to work at Newish Communications, a student-run marketing agency.

“It was a wonderful experience learning from industry leaders and working with actual clients," she says.

"It helped showcase my experience and skills to employers when I was a fresh graduate.”

David agreed, adding: “One of the most meaningful parts of my time at UQ was being involved with the UQ chapter of Engineers Without Borders. As the coordinator for the chapter, I helped lead student teams to deliver engineering outreach workshops in regional and remote communities, including areas in the Cairns Tablelands and Torres Strait region.”

3. Develop workplace-ready skills

Employers today look for candidates who bring more than a qualification. They value teamwork, communication skills and leadership potential. Developing these skills during university can help students stand out when applying for internships and graduate roles.

In addition to work-integrated learning (WIL), which is built into many programs and courses, UQ offers services to help students enhance their employability through internships, research opportunities, volunteering roles and more.

Stephanie says this work-based learning helped her build vital professional skills.

“I was lucky enough to land a 3-month internship with The Y Brisbane in their social media team," she says.

"That helped me a lot with not just communications-related skills, but transferable skills like meeting etiquette, email writing, briefing, project planning and many more."

David says he also sought out opportunities to get involved in volunteering and student leadership programs. 

“I looked for opportunities that helped me practise communication, teamwork and problem-solving outside a classroom setting. In hindsight, those experiences were just as important as the technical subjects. A lot of early-career success comes down to whether you can communicate clearly, work with people, take initiative and learn quickly.”

4. Use career support services – and start early

Of course, the biggest return on your study investment comes when it’s time to graduate. 

The UQ Careers and Employability team supports you at every stage of your career journey, from finding a part-time student job to applying for graduate roles in Australia and abroad. You can get one-on-one coaching sessions, find research opportunities and internships, attend events and workshops to build employability skills, and speak to advisers for resumé writing and interview prep tips.

Historically, UQ graduates achieve strong employment and salary outcomes, with UQ ranking among the leading Group of Eight universities and above the national average on key employability measures. UQ also leads the Group of Eight (Go8) universities for postgraduate coursework full-time employment outcomes.

But, as David explains, employability is something you build over time – not just in your final year.

“Things like career events, employability programs, student ambassador experiences and industry exposure throughout my study helped me understand how to present myself professionally and how to connect my university experience to real career outcomes,” he says.

“Students should not wait close to graduation to think about careers. By then, you are already late.”

“Every semester, do at least one thing that stretches you outside the curriculum," says David.

"Over 3 or 4 years, that compounds into a graduate profile that's genuinely harder to replicate than a GPA. UQ has the infrastructure to make that possible. The question is whether you use it.”

5. Build global connections

One of the unique benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to build relationships with people from different cultures, backgrounds and industries.

UQ is home to approximately 21,500 international students from 141 countries, creating a diverse and globally connected learning community. Through group projects, student clubs, networking events and everyday campus life, students can develop a global network of friends, mentors and future professional contacts.

These connections can broaden your perspectives, strengthen cross-cultural communication skills and create opportunities that extend well beyond graduation.

“I have friends and connections from all over the world – and I built it all by enjoying my time at UQ. So it’s okay to have fun and enjoy what Australia has to offer!”

-Stephanie

At UQ, parents can feel confident knowing that their child’s university experience is about more than earning a qualification. It's about helping students grow into confident, capable and globally minded graduates.

The knowledge you gain, the people you meet and the experiences you embrace can shape the opportunities available to you. UQ provides the tools to help you turn your ambitions into reality. The investment begins with a degree, but the value continues for years to come.