The Diploma of IT Outstanding Graduate prize had always been a goal for Ina Song. “I was aiming for it,” she says, “so I was very happy. It meant a lot to me because I had tried so hard.”
In the process of winning the College’s cash prize for the highest grade-point average in her year, Ina also experienced an important life lesson. She says, “I studied so hard in my first two semesters, and I think I was too harsh on myself. I didn’t socialise and apart from one friend, I only interacted with my teachers. I pushed myself too hard and I was always tired. Then I had a big burnout.”
Embracing growth
That experience was a turning point for Ina. “I realise I was focusing too much on the result instead of the process. I understand now that what really matters is the learning, not the grades. So, I made a decision to enjoy the actual learning. It made all the difference, because growth is what matters. After that burnout I realised growth matters more than HDs,” she says.
Now at UTS, in third year of Bachelor of IT (majoring in Enterprise Software Development), Ina is enjoying a world outside of study. She says, “I’m involved in more societies these days, like the Korean Christian Society, and the Tech Society. I want to experience more. I like to go to FEIT (Faculty of Engineering and IT) events and be part of programs like Career Compass. They host regular events like portfolio workshops and they’re very useful. I try to attend every time. I make time to dance too.”
Since chatting with us, Ina has also become a Student Ambassador for FEIT, and an Industry Director for the UXID (User Experience and Interaction Design) Society.
A change of direction
Growing up in Suwon, near the South Korean capital of Seoul, Ina hadn’t considered a future in IT. “I finished high school and did the exam for the public service,” she says. “I was the youngest person to pass the exam, and I think I accepted the government job because of the reputation. I was being praised for getting the job because it had prestige. But after a year I felt like I wanted something else.”
In South Korea, government employees are entitled to a one-year break for certain purposes, like studying abroad. Ina decided this was a great opportunity for her. She says, “I didn’t want to just give away my valuable job, and this was a way to find my real area of interest and still keep my job. So, I consulted an education agent. I was open to everything, but I had one condition. I wanted to study in English.”
The agent was very encouraging. “They told me studying abroad would be beneficial. It makes you very employable,” she says. “And Australia looked like the best choice because it’s safe and relatively affordable compared to somewhere like the UK. So, I came to Sydney.”
Discovering her passion
Still not entirely sure what area of study to choose, she settled on IT. “I was thinking about employability more than whether I would like it. But after one semester I realised it was a perfect fit for me. I loved coding so much, I didn’t want to go back to my previous job. So, I just resigned and concentrated on studying,” she says.
Ina says the way of learning at UTS College helped her reach her study goals. “The pre-tutorials helped me set my own pace instead of always trying to catch up on things. It was good for me to have the time to prepare and then in class we can interact with the tutors. And there’s other learning assistance like the HELP centre. Also Studiosity. I used Studiosity a lot,” she says.
Like her mother, Ina finds great satisfaction in teaching.
Learning to help others
The Peer Helpers stood out as the most useful for her. “A Peer Helper is kind of a student tutor,” she says. “For example, with IT students doing coding courses, they need someone to review their code one on one. So, the Peer Helper and tutor walk around the class and give advice.”
Ina is proud to have gone full circle, and having completed her diploma with such success is now a Peer Helper herself. She says, “I’m enjoying helping other students now. And I think when you start teaching, it really helps you understand things better.”
Following in her mother’s footsteps
When asked who inspires her, Ina doesn’t have to think for long. She says, “My Mum is my role model. When I realised I wanted to do something I really like, it was because of her. She loves her job. She says she’d still do it even if she wasn’t paid!”
Ina’s mother is a Computer Science professor in Korea and has inspired her to consider teaching. “When I’m peer helping, I feel so happy,” she says. “I think I have the same vocation. When I see my Mum affecting students in a positive way, it inspires me.”
Looking at her future, Ina has two things in mind. She says, “One is to pursue teaching like my Mum. I’d like to be a tutor at UTS College and also study for a master’s and PhD in the IT field. I’d really like to teach students.”
But she’s looking at industry opportunities too. “I enjoy leadership roles and I think I’d be a good product manager,” she says. “I think, even if you’re planning an academic career, industry experience is very valuable. So many of my teachers at UTS College had industry experience and I think that’s one of the reasons they were so good.”
Find out more about the Diploma of IT at UTS College>