Jinyang Liu smiles as she considers what first inspired her to pursue a career in IT. “This might sound really silly,” she says, “but I think it was a character from a TV series – Harold Finch, from A Person of Interest. That show got me interested in cybersecurity. It’s something that guided me when I was unsure what to do.”
After intermediate level (equivalent to Australia’s Year 11) high school in China, Jinyang decided her next step would be a move to Sydney to enrol in UTS Foundation Studies. “I chose it instead of continuing high school at home mainly because I wanted to study in an English-speaking environment,” she says. “Also, I believe UTS College is a helpful transition from high school to university. For international students, studying abroad isn’t just about passing your subjects. It’s also about learning to live on your own and take care of yourself. UTS College has a lot of support that helps with that.”
A glimpse of what comes next
One of the most valuable aspects of Jinyang’s Foundation year was the way it reaffirmed her career choice. “Cybersecurity was always in the back of my mind, but in Foundation you take a variety of subjects. You could take media communications, you could take maths, you could take physics, and along the way you get a glimpse of what you’ll be doing in those kind of careers. I feel like it gave me a good idea of what I’m good at and what’s not for me – what I like and what I don’t,” she says.
She also made use of the extensive support available at the College. “I could always ask for help at the Student Centre or go to my Student Success Adviser with questions about majors and things like that,” she says. “I’d just book an appointment, and they helped me map out the subjects I’d need to pass for what I wanted to do. I also liked how UTS College Instagram showed glimpses of what it was like to study different majors. It all helped.”
Valuable life skills
Jinyang has quite a list of skills from UTS Foundation Studies that have helped her adapt to studying in Australia, but two stand out for her. “I would say teamwork first. In a lot of university assignments, you work with other people and sometimes you and your teammates don’t agree. But to get the job done you still have to collaborate. That teaches you how to work with people,” she says. “Also stress management. I mean they don’t actively teach that; it’s not a subject. But they teach us in a more subtle way. Teachers will remind you to make sure you’re on track, and if you’re having problems, they’d refer you to HELPS for example, so you could get help with your essays and things like that.”
A surprise win
UTS Foundation Studies ended on a high for Jinyang. At the end of the course, she won the UTS College Outstanding Graduate award – a cash prize for the student with the highest grade-point average (GPA). She says, “Getting that news was overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting it. I was just aiming to pass all my classes. At first, I even thought they might have sent the email to the wrong person. I had to check it multiple times. But when it finally sank in, I felt happy and proud. I remember calling my mum. She was really happy too.”
Still at the College, Jinyang is now studying a Diploma of IT. She’s looking forward to joining Bachelor of Cybersecurity at UTS soon. “Right now, we’re learning foundational stuff; the basics for all IT majors,” she says. “I can’t wait to dive deeper into my major-specific subjects.”
Letting off steam at UTS Target Rifle Club.
Diving into campus life
Jinyang has also been diving into some of the clubs and societies on campus. She says, “After I finished UTS Foundation Studies, I joined the UTS Surfing Club. Australia has wonderful oceans and waves, and I wanted to try that ever since I came here. My favourite beach is Manly because it’s not so crowded.” And she’s found another new interest. “I’ve also joined the UTS Target Rifle Club. I hadn’t tried any rifle shooting before I came here. It’s not legal back in China but I always used to play shooting games. They helped with stress when I was in high school. Why not try it for real now that I have the opportunity?”
Looking back on her experiences so far, Jinyang has a tip for future students. “Whatever happens, it always helps to stay calm and think things through. When I’m feeling anxious, I reflect on my progress and see how far I’ve come.”
Find out more about UTS Foundation Studies>