Graduate Profile, ICT Specialist: Mandy Ross has always had an interest in computing and technology and decided to specialise in ICT during her first semester at UQ.
She enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Technology to further her interest in software development and graduated from UQ with honours (class 1). Mandy is currently the chief information officer for Wotif.com and manages ICT teams in Brisbane, Sydney and Phuket.
"When I was deciding which university to attend, UQ really stood out to me as the university of choice in Queensland . particularly in the fields of ICT and software engineering".
"Remembering back when selecting programs, I took into account my personal interests and strengths whilst balancing the expectations of my family".
"Whilst studying at UQ, I found that the natural campus environment, location, the diversity of the program and the ICT facilities were excellent", Mandy said.
"Since graduating, I have found that UQ has a fantastic reputation in the ICT industry and many potential employers valued my UQ qualifications very positively". "Completing my degree was one of the hardest yet gratifying things I have ever done in my life and studying at UQ is an experience which I will always remember fondly", said Mandy.
"The Bachelor of Information Technology at UQ gave me a solid ICT foundation which put me ahead of other colleagues in the industry".
Mandy is now responsible for overseeing all of the software development and technology aspects of Wotif.com on both a daily basis and a strategic level. "Being predominately an online business, technology support is much of what we do at Wotif.com . this certainly keeps me busy!", said Mandy.
"During my studies, I obtained excellent practical and theoretical knowledge across an array of ICT disciplines and now find myself applying these elements everyday in my role at Wotif.com".
"In the future, I aim to work in roles where I can truly make a difference and have fun at the same time ", she said.
Mr Mark Wakabayashi, Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours 1), 2006, and Bachelor of Arts, 2005, says:
I've
always had an interest in computers and programming, but I didn't want to be
limited to purely technical work. I combined an IT degree with cognitive
science because of an interest in artificial intelligence. IT is becoming
a critical factor in researching various aspects of biology, and there's lots of
interesting work to be done there. I worked on projects with a couple of
my lecturers that apply computer-based modelling and prediction to problems in
biology.
I say to students firstly to follow your interests. When you love what you're doing, you'll do well because you won't have to fight to motivate yourself. Secondly, set high goals and don't settle for 'good enough'. When you're motivated, you can achieve, and UQ gives you the opportunity to excel. The courses go beyond the basic technical IT skills and the staff always encouraged and supported me. And it's a really nice campus at St Lucia.
I managed to receive Dean's commendations for high achievement, and in my honours project I developed a computational model of an organism's physical motion and its neural circuit, and used it to show how it could work in real life. The program I wrote won 'best software project' at the School of ITEE's annual student innovation expo, which was nice.
Since I graduated, I've started work as a software engineer on an international research project here at UQ. Down the track, I'm keen to keep applying robust software engineering processes and design practices to a range of problems. I don't feel limited to any particular domain - the theory and skills I learned at UQ have opened doors to areas I never dreamed of.
Ms Agata Dabic, Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours I), 2001, says:
I am an analyst programmer with Rio Tinto Aluminium (RTA), a world-wide mining and manufacturing company with its headquarters in Brisbane. My team develops and supports RTA's applications, which are used in the preparation, production and shipment of aluminium.
I started with RTA five years ago as a Graduate Software Developer where I worked on the development and support of RTA's internal applications that were not directly connected with the production of aluminium. My current position allows me to be directly related to the business, which is both challenging and exciting for me.
I love the feeling of creating something that is going to be of help to someone. I'm involved in the whole cycle of software development, from design through to user training, making my whole work experience challenging.
As the mother of a young daughter, I appreciate my flexible working hours - I can start and finish early, spending more time with my little girl.
I chose IT because I wanted to work in a challenging and exciting industry that has to do with maths. The technology is ever changing and there are always new projects coming up. Also, helping users - gathering their requirements and training them - is something I've always liked doing.
I chose UQ because of its great reputation and the style of teaching. I was given the basics in a way that makes me unafraid of exploring new things and mastering new technology. Apart from the courses, UQ has beautiful campuses which are amazing places to study, relax and enjoy.
My advice to students is to study what you love, not just what the market needs. There are plenty of opportunities for those who believe in themselves and have goals.
Ms Erica Glynn, Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours I), 2003, says:
When I started as an undergraduate, I didn't really have any idea what I wanted to do with my life. My father, a high school IT teacher, nurtured my interest in IT.
I chose UQ for its world-wide reputation, beautiful environment, and because the degrees are flexible. You can change programs with minimum hassle and choose electives from any area at UQ. This is really good for people who are unsure where they want to be in a few years' time - like I was!
I worked hard on my BInfTech, and when the exams and assignments started to get too much, I'd go for a walk around the lakes at the St Lucia campus or sit under a tree in the Great Court, and the problems would dissolve away - for a while anyway.
I really enjoyed my third year undergraduate project course, where a group of six students worked together to develop and manage a significant software product, from initial investigations through to final testing and polishing. We used the skills we'd learned from lectures and practical work and got to know about group dynamics - important, seeing most IT industry work is teamwork.
I went on to do fourth year (honours) with the help of a scholarship I won, then decided I wanted to continue the research I'd started, so enrolled in the PhD, with the support of another scholarship and tutoring work.
UQ's international contacts helped me get a four month graduate student internship with Sun Microsystems, USA. They flew me to the States, provided accommodation and a salary, and I was able to develop my skills and knowledge in software development environments and compilers.
I hope that when I finish my doctorate, I can join the world class teaching staff here at UQ, to help the future generation of ITEE graduates reach their full potential.
Mr OH, Kah Wee (Mark), Singapore, Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours 1), 2003, says:
I was studying at UQ for the past two years to finish my IT degree. Everyone I met was welcoming and supportive, although the start was hard for me returning to studying after my national service.
It's my dad who encourage me to pursue IT. I was not sure that I wanted to do it in the beginning, now it is my life and my career. It was the high reputation of UQ in Singapore that attracted me in the first place. My real love is bioinformatics and how it applies to logic and systems.
IT at UQ does not just focus on programming, you also learn about methodologies and researching skills. The practical nature of the program and the ability to apply your knowledge, this is what engaged me. I was lucky to be offered a full scholarship for my undergrad studies. Now I plan to do my PhD at UQ.
Ms Maree Mason, Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours I), 2004, says:
At the time I made the decision to study IT at university I never fully realised what it could or would entail. Like most school students, I thought it would involve some coding and some designing of databases, but wasn't aware of all the other areas to which IT applies. Since I began my program, I have enjoyed focussing on areas such as Human-Computer Interaction, Systems Analysis and Design and advanced topics such as Distributed Enterprise Computing.
I decided on the Bachelor of Information Technology program as I am interested in Information Systems as well as Software Engineering, and felt that the BInfTech was
the best program to cover those areas that had drawn me to IT in the first place.
My favourite subject was the third-year team project. I really enjoyed this subject because it gave me the opportunity to put into practice the theory learnt during my first three years of study and to work as part of a team. My team was composed of people from very different backgrounds, who I may not have become friends with if not for the project.
I feel that my greatest achievement has been successfully completing my thesis and Honours year. Working on my thesis meant that I spent less time actually at university and much more time sitting in front of my computer, writing or thinking. I found it very challenging, not only because I needed to manage my own time a lot better but because writing a thesis specifically involves thinking of new ideas and coming up with new ways to do things.
I have arrived where I am now through a lot of perseverance and focus. I never like to give up and I have applied that to my studies.
Ms Dana Wong, Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)/Bachelor of Commerce, 2001, says:
After graduating, I worked for QCOM Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of UNISYS, for two-and-a-half years as a software engineer. Then I moved to Boeing Australia Ltd, where I'm involved in most aspects of the software development lifecycle.
It's great working for a quality-driven organisation, which has a global focus. I enjoy problem solving and building applications and get exposure to large Defence projects. Software development is a transportable skill, opening doors for me to work in different countries.
I chose UQ for its long-held tradition of being a reputable and well-recognised university. Also for the variety of sporting clubs and beautiful grounds. While studying, I was able to work as a tutor, which helped pay my fees. I was inspired by the people around me to achieve my goals.
I see two career streams for me - progressing to a management role or to a senior technical position. But coupling Information Technology with any other field opens many doors.
Ms Deborah Waters, Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Information Technology, Undergraduate, says:
I liked the idea of combining Science, IT and Economics, so I enrolled in the dual BInfTech/BEcon program. I chose UQ for its reputation.
In high school, I didn't realise how many possibilities there were in studying IT. It's not just pure programming, and I've enjoyed the database work more.
I've achieved good grades, getting a Dean's commendation nearly every semester and being invited to join the Golden Key Honour Society, which gave me an overwhelming feeling of pride.
I hope to work for a database company in Ireland, where the IT industry is strong, or secure a job in Australia that utilises both of my degrees.
Ms Natalie Christiansen, Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Information Technology, Undergraduate, says:
I was originally accepted for Law, but decided I didn't really want to do that, so changed my QTAC preference to IT - I'd done well at IPT as school. I also wanted to do Spanish and Economics, so I enrolled in a dual degree with Arts and later changed that to Economics.
I'm not so keen on programming, but the BInfTech offered me other things, like database design, web design and human-computer interaction. The best thing was the final year project. I learned more than I could have imagined and it was really rewarding to have a product that my team were all so proud of. Learning about project management opened my eyes to how IT relates to the real world of business.
I'm applying for a job in the graduate program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and would like to work in developing nations where I can use my Economics and IT training.
I chose UQ for its international reputation, gorgeous campus, and because my father, who inspired me most in my education/career choice, studied there.
What our international students say...