One of the most memorable moments of my time at Deakin was landing my first internship through the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment.
Up until then, I wasn’t completely sure where I was headed. I knew I was interested in data, but coming from a background where no one in my generation or even my extended family had been in this space, I didn’t have anyone to look to for guidance. It felt like I was figuring things out on my own. That internship changed everything.
It was the first time I got to see how things worked beyond the classroom, and it made me realise this is what I want to do. The hands-on experience, the challenges, the problem-solving, it all just clicked.
Fast forward, now I’m working as a Graduate Data Engineer at Xero, the first in my whole family to break into this field. Looking back, it wasn’t always easy. There were moments of doubt, imposter syndrome, and times I wondered if I was on the right path. But Deakin gave me the foundation, and that internship gave me the confidence to take the leap.
Now, I’m here, doing work I love, and hopefully paving the way for others who come after me.
