Ha's sense of mission.

Ha Hoang has a list of reasons for planning a career in cybersecurity. “First of all, the IT industry now is huge and there are plenty of opportunities,” she says, “and I think it’s suitable for me because I have some ability in maths and logical subjects. But also, when I was very young, I suffered some online bullying. I know how it feels. There’s still so much of this happening online and I want to fight it.”

Now in second year of Bachelor of Cybersecurity at UTS, Ha began her UTS studies with UTS College Diploma of IT.

“When I finished high school in Vietnam,” she says, “my parents suggested I go to Australia to experience a new country. It would be a chance to meet new friends and learn new things. When I researched universities in Australia, I thought UTS was the best place to learn about technology. Also, my brother and sister had been there before me. It seems so modern, and I think it’s the top university in Sydney.”

Ha says starting at UTS College was a good decision. Now at UTS, she uses the things she learnt in her diploma all the time. “UTS College is the most important foundation for all my cybersecurity knowledge,” she says. “It made me ready for everything that comes next as I pursue my goal of becoming a cybersecurity specialist.”

Learning.Connected, the way of learning at UTS College, also made a huge difference. Ha says, “Back in Vietnam we learn in a different way. We needed to attend lectures and note things down or we could lose that knowledge. I mean, sometimes they talk too fast, or I can’t remember what they said, or there’s something I don’t understand and there’s no time to ask. But at the College there are no lectures. I had materials to study at home before class. If I didn’t understand something I would be ready to ask about it in class. It feels like I didn’t miss out on anything.”

Ha also found good support during her diploma. “I was aiming for a high grade, so I always tried my best. Any time there was a problem, I could talk to my tutors. They were always so nice about everything. They’re a great memory from my time at UTS College. But the biggest thing that helped me was having so many interesting, helpful new friends. All our groupwork went so smoothly because we always helped each other.”

UTS College is the most important foundation for all my cybersecurity knowledge. It made me ready for everything that comes next.

Ha finished UTS College on a high, winning the Outstanding Graduate prize, a cash award given to the student achieving the highest GPA in their diploma group. She says, “It was a big surprise. Such happy news. I told everybody, and everybody around me was talking about it. My friends and family were so happy for me, and it’s such an honour. Most of all, after winning this prize, I’ve become a lot more confident in my learning. I know I can do a good job. All my effort paid off. Now I know that if I try, I can succeed.

Overall, Ha’s enjoying the shift to UTS. “It’s a nice environment and the facilities are so good. Beautiful buildings that are so modern. And we have a lot of things to do, lots of places to eat and study and relax. It’s very warm and friendly.”

When it comes to study success, Ha has one important tip to share. “For me, self-learning is the most important thing. There’s lots of help for you if you ask. You can get help from tutors and friends, but you have to understand the problems first. It’s important to first research for yourself, so you understand the core of the problems. Then you know where the problem is and can say exactly what you don’t understand.”

Strong support from her family also means a lot to Ha. “I talk to them every day,” she says. “They say, ‘We’re happy to see you do well, but we always have your back whether you succeed or not.’ They’re my inspiration and I try my best in everything I do so they will be proud. My family is not rich, and I know they sacrifice to keep me here in Australia. I try my best, so I know I’ll never regret anything later.”

Looking to the future, Ha has her eyes on an industry internship. She says, “I want to gain experience because I really want to get a job related to cybersecurity. I know I could learn so many useful things from practice in the real world. That’s my most important goal right now. But I have other dreams too. I like sports and music and singing, and I’d even like to do some translating. So, once I settle down in a job, I’d like to find time for all those things.”

Ha also wants to share some advice with students who are getting ready to study abroad. “The first thing is, it’s a very important step. You need to know what you want. If you pick the right major – something you really want to do – you’ll have more passion and that will make everything easier. You’ll understand the course better because you’re interested in it. Also, when you come to Australia, you may be a little bit afraid because things are not familiar. Everything is new, so it’s good to have some knowledge of English before you come. Do what you can to prepare because it’s a fantastic country and a fantastic university.”

Find out more about the UTS College Diploma of IT