Great weather, good vibes, friendly people \u2013 there are lots of things to consider when choosing a destination for your international study adventure. But did you know the place you choose could also impact your future career?<\/p>\n
At The University of Queensland<\/a> (UQ), you don\u2019t just get the benefit of studying at one of the world\u2019s top 100 universities<\/a>. We go above and beyond to make sure you get all the advantages you need to kick-start your future career.\u00a0<\/p>\n To learn more, we spoke to international students Tzu-An Lin, who is studying a Master of Molecular Biology<\/a> at UQ, and Imam Suryanto, who is completing a UQ Master of Strategic Communication<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n A global reputation<\/p>\n Originally from Indonesia, Imam worked in Public Relations in the Indonesian Ministry of Trade before coming to Australia under an Australia Awards Scholarship<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI chose UQ because of its strong reputation in communication studies and its practical approach to learning,\u201d he shares.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe course is also unique, combining communication for social change and strategic communication.\u201d<\/p>\n Coming from Taiwan, Tzu-an says she was also drawn to the university\u2019s reputation for excellence.<\/p>\n \u201cI chose The University of Queensland for its strong research focus and supportive academic environment, especially in the life sciences,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n A practical, real-world education<\/p>\n Tzu-an has always been interested in how things like genes and disease work at a molecular level, and her studies at UQ allow her to explore those questions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I enjoy most about my course is the opportunity to work hands-on in the lab and apply what I\u2019ve learned in real research settings. It makes everything feel much more meaningful and practical.\u201d<\/p>\n Imam says he also enjoys that his course gives him real-life experience and insights he can take into his future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just theory. We apply concepts such as strategic communication, crisis communication, communication campaigns, and social media strategy to real-world cases,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe constantly connect what we learn in class with what\u2019s happening in the real world, so it feels very dynamic and useful for my future career.\u201d<\/p>\n Building a professional network<\/p>\n Networking is an essential skill for tomorrow\u2019s professionals<\/a>. At UQ, our opportunities and industry connections help you build a professional network while you study, giving you an important head start.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tzu-an says she\u2019s been able to build connections with researchers and peers from a range of backgrounds during her studies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Imam agrees, sharing, \u201cI\u2019ve been able to connect with communication experts who are not only lecturers but also active researchers and practitioners in my field.\u201d<\/p>\n But the opportunities don\u2019t stop there.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond campus, I\u2019ve also connected with Communication and Public Relations Australia<\/a> (CPRA), which has provided valuable industry exposure, networking opportunities, and insights into professional practice in Australia,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, these experiences and connections have significantly strengthened my career pathway both locally and internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n Gaining experience for the future<\/p>\n Employers today want candidates who bring professional experience. At UQ, we build this into our programs through work integrated learning<\/a>, as well as opportunities to get involved with our research teams.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve built strong relationships with my supervisors after being selected for prestigious research opportunities such as the Winter Research Program and Summer Research Program<\/a>, where I worked on real projects and developed both academic and practical skills,\u201d shares Imam.<\/p>\n