International students make up a significant portion of enrolments at UTS, bringing new and diverse skills both to the university community and to the industry here in Australia. When employers look at candidates who are international, misinterpretation around things like employment rights, culture and knowledge of English can be barriers. However, these students often bring with them skills like resilience, adaptability, and hit the ground running. We speak to Kai, UTS Business alumni working in Sydney, who is bringing his unique skill set across engineering, economics and medical science to an area of medical research, critical to the future.
Tell us about you, as an international student with an extremely diverse background, how did you get to this point where you’re working in Sydney, at the Garvan Institute?
Initially, graduating high school, I wanted to do medicine, which turned out to be extremely difficult in Germany. Hence, I decided to follow my other passion for aviation and study aerospace engineering. At that point, I was competing nationally and internationally in swimming but as my studies progressed, I began to indulge my curiosity in different disciplines, which led me to manufacturing technology, science and economics. I was also still nurturing my interest in medical science and this is reflected in some of my career choices.
And then the decision to come to Sydney; was this out of a desire to travel?
Yes, I had been to a few places already but for a European, coming to Australia is such a dream for so many people, I had to try it out. Also, speaking English was important to me. I found a unique exchange option where I could focus on aspects of my engineering background, business and economics as well as management as part of a Masters in Technology Management, which introduces aspects of management consulting. Particularly when I came to Sydney, I decided that I wanted to immerse myself in learning and practice wherever I could. Grades are a good thing, but they are just a part of it.
Image: supplied.
Arriving in Sydney must have been hard in some ways. Many international students struggle with working part-time, was this a part of your experience here?
Yes, working is essential in a city like Sydney, because it’s so expensive. You really need to be creative and adaptive. Many of my classmates would take hospitality jobs and it was my decision to wait and find something which aligned with my skills so that I could practice my areas of interest while learning. It was a costly decision, but the outcome, I feel, is better in the long-term. My first job here happened because I focused on my networks. LinkedIn, UTS networks, conversations with people which led to other conversations. I eventually landed a job in algorithmic coding with a fintech startup, which was brilliant because I got the chance to learn a completely new set of skills in a new environment, in a new country! It was challenging, but such a great way to learn. This led to my current research work at Garvan; I am working on new genomic technologies and sequencing devices that help identify different cancers and viruses like HIV.
What are some key learnings from studying in a different country?
One thing I love about studying in Sydney is that need to work with people from different cultures straight away, and you begin to really get used to meeting people with diverse backgrounds. Everyone has such an interesting story and it shows in what is produced here. There is also such an entrepreneurial culture here, at university and in the workplace. Other takeaways have been the positive work-life balance, the openness of people and their friendliness.
When it comes to employers, what do you think they should know about international student candidates?
From my experience, internationals can quickly adapt to new environments. You’re forced to adjust, so it becomes second nature. This applies directly to work life.
As internationals, want to be here, and we work hard for it. I was sitting in class, studying and immersed in practical work the same week that I arrived.
Also, as much as I appreciate the new perspectives I’ve learnt here, I bring my own different perspectives to the table being from a different culture. We know that diversity promotes productivity, collaboration and many other good things for a business.
Another value-add for internationals is that we are used to problem-solving. We are often thrown straight in, particularly if we come to study. The geography is new, the systems are new, it’s a different language, and it just has to make sense. While the University does a lot to assist students, overall, when it comes to moving countries you’ve got to move fast, figure things out and be sharp.
What do you love about your role now?
It’s independent, creative and I am able to follow intuition. My supervisor and I created a role together, which was an awesome experience, and now I just get to blaze ahead and do my research. The flexibility is something which I’ve noticed is becoming more common in Australia, and it really suits me. I am expected to drive my own projects. Some other perks are that it’s a dynamic, educated and clever team. We are doing meaningful work which is helping people.
The future, in my opinion, belongs to people who have developed the skills and resilience to make it their own.
From biotechnology and medical science to investment banking and aerospace engineering, Kai developed a wealth of experience and knowledge at three different Universities before arriving in Sydney to study at UTS in 2017. While engaged in genomic research at the Garvan Institute, Kai is also looking to explore new ventures and expand professional networks in the Australian startup space and beyond.