You don’t need coding experience, just curiosity, to explore IT and build a career at UTS.
When Stephanie Franks finished high school, she wasn’t sure what to study. A career in Information Technology (IT) wasn’t even on her radar.
“I didn’t think I’d get into IT, I didn’t have any coding experience,” she admits. “I was more drawn to design, especially UI/UX design. It was only when I went to a UTS Open Day that I realised I could explore those interests through IT and that I didn’t need to be a coding expert to start.”
That single decision to learn more set Stephanie on a whole new path.
Discovering what IT can be
Still unsure if she was making the right choice, Stephanie applied for the IT degree and was awarded the Bachelor of Information Technology (Co-op) scholarship at UTS.
She quickly discovered just how broad IT really is, and how IT professionals play a vital role in shaping the future of tech.
“I’ve come to appreciate the role IT experts play in understanding how people interact with tech,” she says. “Cybersecurity is a good example. Online attacks often succeed because of user behaviour, not just because of sophisticated attackers. How IT experts increase awareness on cyber without scaring or overwhelming users, especially in an atmosphere of increased cyberattacks, is crucial. Learning that balance has been fascinating for me and has truly made me appreciate this profession the more.”
Learning by doing
The IT Co-op scholarship program has been a cornerstone of Stephanie’s studies. Her very first industry placement at a financial firm exposed her to the breadth of IT, with rotations through cybersecurity, operations, business analysis and development.
That first placement was pivotal. I didn’t know what area of IT I wanted to go into, but that experience sparked my interest in cybersecurity and networking.
Now in her second internship, at a tech consulting firm, Stephanie is helping clients implement and maintain systems tailored to their needs.
“Without my Co-op scholarship, my journey in IT would look very different. The industry placements motivate me to keep pursuing IT and give me the confidence that this is the industry I want to be in,” she explains.
Advice for future students
Looking back at her own journey, Stephanie encourages others to approach IT with curiosity even if they’re unsure where it might lead.
“Don’t be scared to ask questions, and don’t compare yourself to others. You’re all learning.”
Like Stephanie, you don’t need to have it all figured out to study IT. Sometimes, curiosity is the only spark you need.
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