From Saudi Arabia to Sydney: Sana’s UTS Journey

Although having family in Sydney helped with her move away from home, the transition was not without its challenges.

“Being a hijabi who was raised in Saudi and had never been to Australia, there were countless struggles. I had never studied computer science or any tech related subjects during high school, so I had this constant stress that I won't be able to do my degree or get a good corporate job.”

Sana found comfort in student societies and volunteering helped her find a community in a new country.

“I became part of the Muslim Society (UTSMS), which helped me make close friends. UTS has its own multicultural space and those events gave me joy to meet so many like myself with a similar background and struggles. It gave me a sense of belonging. I still volunteer with UTS – I meet women freshmen and new graduates and encourage them to pursue a career in tech.”

She relied on UTS Careers and tutors to build confidence in her studies and prepare for the job search. Through the UTS Careers Fair, Sana learnt what recruiters were looking for in the current job market and was able to network with recruiters before graduating. She gained the confidence and soft skills she needed to start her career.

“I was lucky enough to secure my first job immediately after graduating, all thanks to UTS Careers and the support of my tutor. I was constantly looking for jobs and reached out to my tutors for help. One day I searched the UTS Careers portal and found a job that matched my skillset. Coincidentally, my tutor also found the same job for me. The UTS brand added so much value to my resume as well. Recruiters considered that anyone graduating from UTS would be skilled enough to work for their firm.”

A year after graduating, Sana was working as a Senior IT Risk Consultant in Sydney for one of the leading accounting firms in the world, PwC Australia, and as of 2025, she is a Risk Frameworks and Insights Manager at Commonwealth Bank. She even made the dean’s list – something else she never imagined she’d achieve.

Offering advice to current students, Sana says, “You can go anywhere you want to as long as you work towards it. Get yourself out of your comfort zone, socialise and network, keep looking for opportunities, never hesitate to start with the small jobs, absorb all the information and knowledge around you and learn from your experiences.”