From Classroom to Career: How international students are building professional experience

Your career journey doesn’t have to wait until graduation. As an international student, there are plenty of ways to build skills, gain experience and make professional connections while you study.

We spoke to current international students Emmanuel and Carrot about the experiences that have helped them prepare for their future careers and the advice they’d share with other students.

Explore University of Newcastle services

The University of Newcastle has a range of services to support you in building professional experience and developing your resume.

One of these is the Careers Service. From gaining part-time work while you study, clarifying your longer-term goals, or connecting with industry, there are resources available for students.

If you’re ready to look for jobs, then Jobs on Campus can be a useful starting point. Here, you’ll find current vacancies for paid roles, including retail and hospitality positions, student ambassadors, customer service assistants, content editors, graphic designers, and other entry-level opportunities.

Then, when you’re ready to apply, The Careers Service can assist you with preparing job applications and for interviews.

Look beyond the classroom

Why not join a club or volunteer with a charity or community group, on or off campus? Introduce yourself to people, you never know who you might meet. For Emmanuel, who is studying a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, getting involved early has been an important part of his experience.

"Get involved early. Attend events, join clubs, introduce yourself to people, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Some of the best opportunities and friendships begin with a simple conversation."

Emmanuel became President of the Hip Hop Society, joined the African Students Association, and became a University of Newcastle International Student Ambassador. None of that was part of his original plan, but these experiences helped him settle into university life and develop skills beyond his studies.

Make the most of career-ready placements

At the University of Newcastle, every undergraduate degree includes a career-ready placement, giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and put what they’re learning into practice.

Hoang, known to most as Carrot, is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and is already halfway through a thousand hours of professional placement.

“Placement is an invaluable experience because it allowed me to put what I had learned in the classroom into practice,” she shares, adding that it also helped her recognise areas where she still needed to grow.

Work experience gives you something strong to talk about in job interviews, helps you understand what a workplace actually expects from you and lets you build a professional network before you graduate. It also helps you figure out what you do and don't enjoy, which is just as important.

Build real relationships

Newcastle is a genuinely welcoming place, and the people skills you develop at university matter more for your career than you might realise! The people you meet on campus, from classmates and club members to university staff and people in the local community, can become mentors, references, colleagues and friends. Don't wait to be introduced. Go to events, say yes to things, and be curious about the people around you.

Emmanuel credits much of his success to this approach.

“The opportunities I have received come from consistently getting involved, building genuine relationships, and looking for ways to contribute to the university community,” he shares.

Being open minded and ready to learn led Emmanuel to his first professional role as Business Intelligence Officer at the University of Newcastle.

Carrot also says that her volunteering at the University over three years has helped her realise the kind of social worker she wants to become.

“The University staff and my fellow students have opened doors to new opportunities and leadership roles that I never expected.”

Think beyond your qualifications

Your degree is an important part of preparing for your career, but the skills and experiences you develop alongside it can matter too. University can give you opportunities to develop skills such as communication, teamwork and initiative through experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Emmanuel’s biggest piece of advice is not to rely solely on your degree.

"Volunteer, take on leadership opportunities, attend networking events, and be proactive in creating value wherever you can. The connections you build and the impact you make can open doors just as much as your qualifications."